Abstract: In the present paper, we seek to explore the effect of negative reviews ( humorous vs. non - humorous) on consumers' attitudes toward e-retailers and the mechanism and boundary conditions behind the effect. Results of three laboratory experiments showed that compared with non-humorous negative reviews, humorous negative reviews significantly enhanced consumers' attitudes toward e-retailers. In the relationship between humorous negative reviews and consumers’ attitudes toward e-retailers, consumers' affective responses played the mediating role. In the relationship between non-humorous negative reviews and consumers’ attitudes toward e-retailers, consumers’ cognitive responses played the mediating role. Results of Study 1 showed that the response speed significantly moderated the effect of negative reviews on consumers' attitudes. Results of Study 2 showed that the moderating effect of whether e-retailers explained the cause of the problem (yes vs. no) in the relationship between negative reviews and consumers’ attitudes toward e-retailers was significant. Results of Study 3 showed that compensation money significantly moderated the effect of negative reviews on consumers' attitudes.

Key words: humorous negative reviews, consumers' attitudes toward e-retailers, consumers' affective responses, consumers’ , cognitive responses , e-retailers’ responses