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Abstract
A test for starting point bias in the iterative bidding format of contingent valuation studies is developed in this paper. The test is applied to the data from three contingent valuation studies and to the data from a simulated market study. Starting point bias was found to be a problem in all three contingent valuation studies. A starting point problem did not exist in the simulated market suggesting that starting point bias may be an artifact of hypothetical markets. The validity of using bidding games with fixed starting bids is evaluated.