is there any reason you wouldn't want to let people know your reserve price on ebay?

[dpopiz]

somebody just emailed and asked the reserve price on one of my auctions. I told them because I can't think of a reason not to

 

[kami333]

It's set unrealistically high compared to similar auctions

 

[waggy]

really no reason to NOT tell them. i guess besides what kami said. otherwise why be an a-hole?

 

[DT4K]

What's the point of having a reserve instead of just setting a minimum bid?

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: Shanti
What's the point of having a reserve instead of just setting a minimum bid?

You get more people looking at the item and bidding early on.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: Shanti
What's the point of having a reserve instead of just setting a minimum bid?

If you are selling less popular items, ie antiques or niche items (Japanese archery bow), it can be insurance for when you don't get the coverage you were looking for. For mainstream items like popular electronics, the bidding tends to be more predictable so it is less of an issue.

 

[Eli]

Nope.

But some people are just like that. Same reason they don't like to tell you how much they make an hour, or how many HPs their guy has in Diablo.

 

[DT4K]

Originally posted by: kami333

Originally posted by: Shanti
What's the point of having a reserve instead of just setting a minimum bid?

If you are selling less popular items, ie antiques or niche items (Japanese archery bow), it can be insurance for when you don't get the coverage you were looking for. For mainstream items like popular electronics, the bidding tends to be more predictable so it is less of an issue.

I understand the point of a reserve price, but if you are going to tell people what it is anyway, why is that any different from having a minimum starting bid instead.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Shanti

Originally posted by: kami333

Originally posted by: Shanti
What's the point of having a reserve instead of just setting a minimum bid?

If you are selling less popular items, ie antiques or niche items (Japanese archery bow), it can be insurance for when you don't get the coverage you were looking for. For mainstream items like popular electronics, the bidding tends to be more predictable so it is less of an issue.

I understand the point of a reserve price, but if you are going to tell people what it is anyway, why is that any different from having a minimum starting bid instead.

It changes the dynamics of the auction.

You can list at $0.99, reserve not met.. people are more likely to be attracted to your low price, and get into bidding wars.

 

[kami333]

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: Shanti

Originally posted by: kami333

Originally posted by: Shanti
What's the point of having a reserve instead of just setting a minimum bid?

If you are selling less popular items, ie antiques or niche items (Japanese archery bow), it can be insurance for when you don't get the coverage you were looking for. For mainstream items like popular electronics, the bidding tends to be more predictable so it is less of an issue.

I understand the point of a reserve price, but if you are going to tell people what it is anyway, why is that any different from having a minimum starting bid instead.

It changes the dynamics of the auction.

You can list at $0.99, reserve not met.. people are more likely to be attracted to your low price, and get into bidding wars.

Yup.

Also it gives you the option of offering it to the highest bidder using the second chance option, so even if the auction didn't meet your expectations, if you think that's as good as it is going to get then you have the possibility of being able to still sell it.