Customers’ prior experience has been proved as a moderator in the self-image congruity
model (Beerli et al., 2007; Hung & Petrick, 2010). For example, Mangleburg et al. (1988) found
that symbolic indicator has greater influence on brand attitude among the group of less
experienced customers; whereas, functional attitudes has more impact on brand attitude among
the group of more experienced customers. Wood and Kallgren (1988) examined the effect of
experience on customers’ evaluations of image congruity. Their results showed that customers
engage in different image congruity depending on the level of experience. Less experienced
customers focus on self-congruity, whereas experience customers focus on functional congruity
(Mangleburg, et al., 1988).