NPR. Question if you sell on ebay.

lizlemon77

What is the benefit to using a reserve price instead of just setting your starting price for the minimum you want to get?  thanks.

rach&jay

Reserve is mysterious and bidders tend to bid higher - which is what I have been told.  I just list it for what I want for it. 

esposa38

I've only sold a handful of things on ebay, so I am no expert, but here's my rationale-- If I am certain that the item will sell for or over the listing price (like a NWT Lilly Pulitzer sundress), I do that.  But if it's something that I don't know if it will sell for the listing price (like some crystal candlesticks), then I set a reserve bc/ you don't have to sell it if the reserve isn't met, and I can get an idea of what ppl are willing to bid for it, so then I can decide if it's worth my hassle to sell it and ship it for that price or not.

rach&jay

I think with reserve you can offer it to the highest bidder, even if the reserve isn't met.  The bidder isn't obligated to purchase though.

kylara111

I always wondered the same thing! 

I sometimes bid ridiculously low on things with a reserve price even though I know there's no chance.  Hey, you never know, right?