Thread Name: sorta off topic: reserve prices on eBay From: j b krygier <jbkrygie@removed> Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2002 14:46:19 -0500 This may be a bit off-topic for this list, but what is the point of reserve prices on eBay (or other) auction sites? I am assuming there is a belief that bidders may skip bidding if the actual $ the seller wanted for an item was known. So start the $ low, put on a reserve, and see if you can tempt bidders into bidding more than they may originally have thought they would pay for the item. This seems a bit, well, manipulative. But I see many auctions where the seller lists the reserve in the item description (or the seller will tell you if you email and ask). So what is the point of having a reserve? Am I missing something? ------------------------------------- From: HTatML@removed> Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2002 13:47:29 EST I cannot see the object of reserve prices on ebay, except one: that the seller probably does not want to sell the item, but wants some sort of appraisal. -------------------------------------