Reserve Prices on Ebay?

[FlamesFan2428]

Hey, I was wondering if any of you guys use the reserve pricing on Ebay. I don't really understand the concept of it. I understand that it is the price that you will allow before the card becomes saleable, but why not just start the auction at the price you want it to sell at then, instead of going through the fees for reserve pricing.

So basically I just wanted to know if anyone on here uses the reserve pricing function and why? Is there something that I'm missing that has its advantages? It just seems to me that they rarely get bids on these auctions.

Thanks.

[30ranfordfan]

I sold a guitar for a friend on eBay about a year ago. Used a reserve then.

One thing it does, is allow you to have a lower start price, and hopefully attract some early bidders.

The other thing, but don't quote me on this, is that the seller COULD still sell the item for whatever the max bid was, even if it doesn't meet the reserve. (Maybe I'm wrong here, but I thought that was the case?). Didn't apply for my one run at..... as we did get bids over the reserve.

[FuriousD82]

A seller may choose to use reserve pricing to see what he could get for the card. Let say he puts a reserve price of $200 on a card, thinking that $200 is what he wants for it. The auction then ends at $120, resulting in no sale. The seller now knows at $120, he could sell this card.

[FlamesFan2428]

alright fair enough, I never thought of it that way. Setting up a reserve price would give the seller a rough idea of what people are paying for his item.

[v3rs3]

I always ignore any auctions with a reserve, I think a lot of other people do as well. You might push away people who would have bid if there was no reserve.

[FlamesFan2428]

I always ignore any auctions with a reserve, I think a lot of other people do as well. You might push away people who would have bid if there was no reserve.

see, thats why I brought up the question because I always seem to skip the hassel of bidding $10 on a $100 card because I know the reserve wont be met. So on one hand the seller tries to find out the rough cost of his item but having the reserve dramatically drops the final price.

[30ranfordfan]

I dunno. Myself, seeing the reserve wouldn't deter me from bidding.

I bid on a TON of stuff, I know I'm not going to win. If I'd be comfortable paying $40 for a card, and that doesn't meet the reserve.... whatever. Let someone else bid it up afterwards. Who knows? Maybe the reserve really is only $30... and I will get it? Don't know until you bid.

[policeradio556]

I see Ebay as being "funny" when it comes to getting fair market value for a card.... I Ebay is set up as either Auction/BIN... buy it now has set price....Auction is self explanitory.. while it doesnt happen often (at least I hope) some people bid outrageously and I feel may have people bump the bids of their auctions by using friends... Also PC collectors who devote 99.9% of their collecting "bankrolls" to one player might be willing to go all out to get a particular card they need... Stanley Cup Wins and other championships have a instant inflation to the prices too... overall great tool...but is best used in conjunction with other tools (price guides etc)... Just my Opinion

[afholmes87]

I always ignore any auctions with a reserve, I think a lot of other people do as well. You might push away people who would have bid if there was no reserve.

I'm with you here, I typically pass over auctions with a reserve.

[jibron86]

hi there

yee i guess u can the reserve method for what ever it may be. i also usually ignore auctions with reserves. i found from my experience that roughly 40% of reserve auctions finish with sale. i guess in my mind it is a safety feature for if u feel i may not sell for what u wont u post it up or get an idea for what it might sell. over all i think it is ok but not alone of ppl use because one thing i now it does not attract bidders. that is my opinion.

thanks johnnaseri