We analyze "natural experiments" on eBay where sellers offer identical products with and without charity donations. Charity-tied products are more likely to sell and attract higher prices, and these benefits accrue primarily to sellers without extensive eBay histories. This suggests that consumers view charity as a signal of seller quality and a substitute for reputation. We also find that charity-tied products by all sellers are more likely to sell (and at higher prices) immediately following

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... urricane Katrina, implying that consumers derive direct utility from seller charity at times when charity is particularly salient. JEL Codes: D44, H41, L81, M14, M31