Hello all,

I was just wondering what others who list/buy on ebay, thought about placing reserves on ebay items.

I frequently buy and sell items on ebay (of course some shark bits & bobs), and I have to say that I absolutely hate reserves! IMHO they only serve to irritate potential bidders.

If you require $99.99 for your item, why in the he[[ do you start the bidding at "$1.00 reserve not met"! I just wish people would just list at their min price and stop wasting my/others time. Is the "reserve not met" ment to get me to bid over and over to find the reserve? No chance, I don't have the time or patience.

I would have to say that as soon as I see "reserve not met", I personally click "Back" and just go on looking. I will eventually find the item listed at a REAL price.

Does anyone else feel this way?

 

Another gripe is the "list price" only $10 less than the "buy it now" price. Why even bother to list it only $10 lower?
As for reserve price, I let others bid up to it for me, if the reserve isn't met, i typically won't bid.

Rich.

 

Anthony Tate
79/928 Silver Metallic

 

As someone who makes his living on eBay I can give you several reasons for a reserve.
1 To prevent the item from selling at too low a price.
2 To allow the bidding to continue to near the Buy It Now price without losing the Buy It Now option.
3 To generate interest in the item by starting at a low price.
4 To keep "bottom feeders" like you bums away.

 

Ernest pretty much sums it up right there. Personally, I hate people who put in a reserve that is just a few bucks off the Buy It Now! price. It makes the whole "auction" a farse. (Sorry if that is you Ernest). I see the Buy It Now! option as a way to get the item, perhaps above what should be paid for it, without the hassle of getting outbid.

If I even bother with it in my own auctions, I only put it in $20 or so above the minimum bid so the Buy It Now! stays there longer. And usually, the minimum bid is just that - the least amount I will take for the item.

 

Ernest,

Why not just list the item starting at the minimum you want to sell it for? Reserve pricing is just a way of hiding a high price for the item and preying upon human nature.

Not all of us, though; I typically don't mess with reserve auctions and agree with watercooler completely. I continue on to another ad where the seller is up-front. I figure it might be easier to deal with someone who isn't messing with me right off the bat.

 

Old & New,
Do you own any stocks or bonds? If you do, your "human nature" is already being "played with".
As the old punch line goes; "We already know what you are, we're just discussing price!"

 

Ebay fees are also higher for listing an item with a starting bid of say 200.00, than it is for starting the same item with a 1.00 bid

SilverSFR

 

Silver,

Fees are paid on the reserve price.

Ernest,

Yes, there are all sorts of people out there, but I am selective about who I do business with and who I choose as friends.

B.T.W., I buy and hold.

 

I see items listed with initial bids higher than what they can be had for in the local retail markets. maybe hunting for suckers? Some items may be one's I'm interested in having, so the ability to post a bid can signal a seller that he/she is way high in their expectations. This is especially helpful with items that go to close with no action at all.

I bought wheels/tires for my car from an E-bay seller at a price substantially lower than his reserve. I put in my bid max, and let the auction go to completion. After the third re-listing of the same wheels, I contacted the seller, let him know that I could come by his houes (<60 miles away) with my low-ball cash in hand. He would never have been aware that there was a lower "bottom feeder" market there at all if he hadn't set a low initial price and a reserve price higher.

 

Speaking of E-bay,

I will be listing a brand new V-2 SQ (super Quiet) Polished Vortech Supercharger on e-bay starting at $1600.
This Model P/N 2E129-048: V-2 SQ S-Trim lists for $2063.

I also Have a Brand New Vortec FMU that lists for $154.00 That I will let go for $120.

I plan to list these tonight but would rather take so offers here first.

I you are interested just shoot me a private message.

Chris

 

Dr Bob,

I have also done that.

It is a good strategy when dealing with individuals / the casual eBay seller, but not the "dealers" looking for suckers.


CMW,

Street price on that one is ~1750, so your new supercharger seems like a good deal. Bracket come with it?

 

Old and new,

No the Bracket was sold to someone who bought the Vortech aftercooler.
The bracket was a work of art though.
If you are interested in the charger let me know.

Chris