The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University has found that uninformed women seeking automotive repairs end up paying more than men, yet they are more successful negotiators when it comes time to talking down a service price. The study, "Repairing the Damage: The Effect of Price Expectations on Auto-Repair Price Quotes," was conducted by Kellogg professors and a student working with AutoMD.com, an online automotive repair information site.
Men and women were asked to call repair shops seeking quotes to replace the radiator on a 2003 Toyota Camry. The callers were to appear well-informed with a good idea of the expected costs, misinformed and expecting to pay more, or completely uninformed. Both sexes received similar quotes when they expressed knowledge of the market price, but pricing for men was lower when they acted uninformed. Both men and women paid higher-than-average prices when they expressed they expected to pay more.
"Our findings suggest that auto shops may assume men know the market price for a given repair, so they automatically grant it. However, they may not expect women to be knowledgeable in this area, so the perception is they can charge them more," says Meghan Busse, an associate professor of management and strategy at the Kellogg School. In an interesting twist, the study also found that women we were more able to get their requested price ten percent more often then men. "The same kind of cultural expectations that cause repair shops to overcharge women are probably also responsible for showing preference toward women in negotiations," remarked Florian Zettelmeyer, the Nancy L. Ertle Professor of Marketing.
Based on the study, researchers suggest that consumes do their research and call around for multiple quotes. To secure the best deal, always appear well-informed and reveal that you know what the expected price should be. If the shop is asking for a higher rate, request a discount. Check out the University's press release below.
Men and women were asked to call repair shops seeking quotes to replace the radiator on a 2003 Toyota Camry. The callers were to appear well-informed with a good idea of the expected costs, misinformed and expecting to pay more, or completely uninformed. Both sexes received similar quotes when they expressed knowledge of the market price, but pricing for men was lower when they acted uninformed. Both men and women paid higher-than-average prices when they expressed they expected to pay more.
"Our findings suggest that auto shops may assume men know the market price for a given repair, so they automatically grant it. However, they may not expect women to be knowledgeable in this area, so the perception is they can charge them more," says Meghan Busse, an associate professor of management and strategy at the Kellogg School. In an interesting twist, the study also found that women we were more able to get their requested price ten percent more often then men. "The same kind of cultural expectations that cause repair shops to overcharge women are probably also responsible for showing preference toward women in negotiations," remarked Florian Zettelmeyer, the Nancy L. Ertle Professor of Marketing.
Based on the study, researchers suggest that consumes do their research and call around for multiple quotes. To secure the best deal, always appear well-informed and reveal that you know what the expected price should be. If the shop is asking for a higher rate, request a discount. Check out the University's press release below.
Study: Women Quoted Higher Prices on Auto Repairs but More Successful in Negotiating Discounts
Research from the Kellogg School of Management examines the effects of gender and knowledge in determining cost of auto repairs
Evanston, Ill. (June 19, 2013)-A new study by the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University finds that when it comes to auto repairs, women who don't appear knowledgeable about cost may end up paying more than men. However, gender differences disappear when customers mention an expected price for the repair.
The study, "Repairing the Damage: The Effect of Price Expectations on Auto-Repair Price Quotes," was conducted by Kellogg professors Meghan Busse and Florian Zettelmeyer and Northwestern University Ph.D. student Ayelet Israeli in collaboration with AutoMD.com, an online automotive repair information site.
The researchers set up field experiments to test the effects of men and women calling auto repair shops to ask for quotes on a 2003 Toyota Camry radiator replacement. The callers either appeared well-informed of the market price ($365), misinformed with expectations of a higher-than-average price ($510), or completely uninformed, with no price expectation.
Among those who appeared uninformed, women fared worse and were consistently quoted higher prices. Women who called and expressed knowledge of the market price received quotes in line with that expectation. Men, on the other hand, were quoted the same price whether they said, "I have no idea what this costs," or "I know the average cost is $365." As expected, both men and women were quoted significantly higher-than-average prices when they said their expected price was $510.
"This comes down to stereotypes and assumptions," says Meghan Busse, associate professor of management and strategy at the Kellogg School. "Our findings suggest that auto shops may assume men know the market price for a given repair, so they automatically grant it. However, they may not expect women to be knowledgeable in this area, so the perception is they can charge them more."
When it came to negotiating for a lower price, many shops were unwilling to budge. However, when they did, it was more likely to happen for women than men. In fact, 35 percent of women were able to get their requested price met, compared to 25 percent of men.
"It's kind of an ironic twist," says Florian Zettelmeyer, the Nancy L. Ertle Professor of Marketing.
"The same kind of cultural expectations that cause repair shops to overcharge women are probably also responsible for showing preference toward women in negotiations."
The study suggests some obvious strategies for customers. The first being to do your research online or by phone so you know what the repair job should cost and to shop around. If you are a woman, once you have gathered some information, "when you call each additional shop," says Busse, "reveal that you know what you're talking about-that you know the car, you know the repair, and you know what a sensible price is-right off the bat. And if you get a price that's above that, ask for a discount."
The task is a bit easier for men: You are already assumed to have a good idea about what
constitutes a fair price. But research prices nonetheless to make sure you don't inadvertently
reveal that you are badly informed.
Research from the Kellogg School of Management examines the effects of gender and knowledge in determining cost of auto repairs
Evanston, Ill. (June 19, 2013)-A new study by the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University finds that when it comes to auto repairs, women who don't appear knowledgeable about cost may end up paying more than men. However, gender differences disappear when customers mention an expected price for the repair.
The study, "Repairing the Damage: The Effect of Price Expectations on Auto-Repair Price Quotes," was conducted by Kellogg professors Meghan Busse and Florian Zettelmeyer and Northwestern University Ph.D. student Ayelet Israeli in collaboration with AutoMD.com, an online automotive repair information site.
The researchers set up field experiments to test the effects of men and women calling auto repair shops to ask for quotes on a 2003 Toyota Camry radiator replacement. The callers either appeared well-informed of the market price ($365), misinformed with expectations of a higher-than-average price ($510), or completely uninformed, with no price expectation.
Among those who appeared uninformed, women fared worse and were consistently quoted higher prices. Women who called and expressed knowledge of the market price received quotes in line with that expectation. Men, on the other hand, were quoted the same price whether they said, "I have no idea what this costs," or "I know the average cost is $365." As expected, both men and women were quoted significantly higher-than-average prices when they said their expected price was $510.
"This comes down to stereotypes and assumptions," says Meghan Busse, associate professor of management and strategy at the Kellogg School. "Our findings suggest that auto shops may assume men know the market price for a given repair, so they automatically grant it. However, they may not expect women to be knowledgeable in this area, so the perception is they can charge them more."
When it came to negotiating for a lower price, many shops were unwilling to budge. However, when they did, it was more likely to happen for women than men. In fact, 35 percent of women were able to get their requested price met, compared to 25 percent of men.
"It's kind of an ironic twist," says Florian Zettelmeyer, the Nancy L. Ertle Professor of Marketing.
"The same kind of cultural expectations that cause repair shops to overcharge women are probably also responsible for showing preference toward women in negotiations."
The study suggests some obvious strategies for customers. The first being to do your research online or by phone so you know what the repair job should cost and to shop around. If you are a woman, once you have gathered some information, "when you call each additional shop," says Busse, "reveal that you know what you're talking about-that you know the car, you know the repair, and you know what a sensible price is-right off the bat. And if you get a price that's above that, ask for a discount."
The task is a bit easier for men: You are already assumed to have a good idea about what
constitutes a fair price. But research prices nonetheless to make sure you don't inadvertently
reveal that you are badly informed.
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