Ebay Help - Reserve Pricing

[rmb]

Calling out to all Ebay experts:

Could someone please explain the difference to me between setting a reserve price for your item and just starting it at your reserve price (I'm confused). I am having a problem figuring out why you would use a reserve price. For example: If you have a purse you want atleast $150 for why wouldn't you just start it at $150 instead of having the hidden reserve of $150? I get so confused sometimes!!!

-Robyn

 

[HayGan]

Listing fees are lower for lower starting prices and some people won't bid on items with a higher starting price (it gives the illusion of getting a great deal even if it the reserve price isn't met.)

 

[Laurajean1014]

I think most put $.01 on high priced items, so they do not set the price. They allow the public to set the price. (If they have a reserve on it, then they are guaranteed to sell it at the lowest available price they are willing to sell it for).

 

[~Kathie]

For reserve auctions, listing fees are based on what the reserve price is. If you start your auction at 99¢ and your reserve is $100, your listing fee is $2.40. If the auction starts at 99¢ without a reserve the listing fee is 25¢.

You can see more details here.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/fees.html

Why do people use reserves?? No clue. Doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[Az Pirates]

I've only used a reserve price once.

It was on an expensive Olszewski Disney collectible.
It was one I had rarely seen on e-bay... so no way to get much of a history as to what the going price would be.

I didn't want to let it go for too little, but if I just listed it with a high opening price and got no bids, I'd have no clue about where it might end up.

I figured even if the reserve was not met, at least it might give me a better idea of what folks WERE willing to pay for it. Not a perfect plan I know... but that was my reason.

I think I actually stated what my reserve was in the item description.

 

[tlbwriter]

Listing fees are lower for lower starting prices and some people won't bid on items with a higher starting price (it gives the illusion of getting a great deal even if it the reserve price isn't met.)

However, many people won't bid on reserve items. So either way you're going to lose a certain percentage of potential bidders.