This paper starts to fill this gap in research by focusing on the impact of product characteristics in online auctions. Our analysis of online auction complaints and their item descriptions provide insights into the relationship between specific product characteristics and “lemon” complaints. Specifically, the objective of this research is to analyze the impact of four product dimensions: (1) functionality, (2) sensory requirements, (3) complexity of product description, and (4) fragility on “lemon” complaints in online auctions. We compare products with these characteristics to non-functional, non-sensory, non-fragile, standard products, such as books.