eBay Reserve Price, why use it?

ronniedp23 said:

Inexperience? They may not know that the reserve has a stigma on eBay that it does not have in real world auctions (actual live in person auction houses).

It may also allow them to accept a lower selling price than the reserve. Vs. Starting it at the higher bid and risking driving bidders away. (Caveat I am not sure if this an eBay option, but I know in an auction house it is an option).

It may allow them to protect an item while getting a feel for the market.

Also it gives protection by allowing you to safely list an item with a starting bid of .99 and not worrying that you may be forced to sell an item for less than the "50" or whatever price you may need.

I realize that to ebayers reserves seem ridiculous, because the reserve is so often either at, or well beyond the high end of an item's eBay market value. But I think properly used its a valuable tool, and if it wasn't stigmatized as it currently is fewer people would employ shilling.

Just my thoughts on the matter.


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SilverandBlack said:

I think most people that use reserves have unrealistic expectations of what the item is worth. They either dont do the homework or think they have some priceless artifact.

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CollectorsCorner said:

All I know is I don't bid if I see a reserve

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predatorkj said:

Seen a few friends use it as a mark at their buy in price. That way, even if they don't make money, they certainly don't lose any. But like others have said, it's commonly used and set way over any realistic price the item would normally sell at in an auction.

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