An ebay puzzle!

[Dave Ward]

On ebay, I have come across a seller, who auction lists car models - he starts the auction at £9.99, fair enough, but if you bid say £15, it comes up with " reserve not met". I understand the concept of a reserve at a live auction, but what is the point of this on ebay? Surely just start the auction at the reserve price? Am I missing something, some hidden advantage at doing this? I understand why you wouldn't want to sell at below your value, but this baffles me!
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

I’ve come across that as well Dave, and I don’t understand it either. The only thing I can think of is that it’s an “idiot trap” using the artificially low starting price as bait to haul in the unwary.

[Dave Ward]

I’ve come across that as well Dave, and I don’t understand it either. The only thing I can think of is that it’s an “idiot trap” using the artificially low starting price as bait to haul in the unwary.

Thank goodness! I thought I was having a senior moment! :thumb2:
Dave

[adt70hk]

Thank goodness! I thought I was having a senior moment! :thumb2:
Dave

Nope you weren't! I've seen it too!!

[boatman]

AN ME TOO
chrisb

[AlanG]

The only thing I can think of is that it’s an “idiot trap” using the artificially low starting price as bait to haul in the unwary.

It generates interest in the item and people are more likely to bid on it if it's a low starting price. Seen it loads of times and if i'm honest. I've thought about doing it for a an item or two that i was thinking of selling

[outrunner]

As I recall, if you put a reserve on an item Ebay charges you a bit more.

Andy.

[Mickc1440]

I like you Dave don't understand it. You usually see it on stuff that is worth considerably more than the ridiculously low starting bid price. If you know what tou want for an item then that's the opening bid.

[minitnkr]

Looks like a less transparent method vs bid/buy now?

[AlanG]

As I recall, if you put a reserve on an item Ebay charges you a bit more.

Andy.

Yes they do Andy. But it is a good way of making sure something doesn't go for a totally ridiculously low price

[stillp]

Yes they do Andy. But it is a good way of making sure something doesn't go for a totally ridiculously low price

But nothing can sell for less than the price at which it's listed.
Pete

[AlanG]

But nothing can sell for less than the price at which it's listed.
Pete

But as i mentioned previously. Sometimes it is beneficial to list something with a really low starting price to generate more than normal interest. This sometimes leads people into a bidding war which then makes the item go for more than it is actually worth.

[Niho]

Been informed about these kinda auctions .... even going in at a bid of 100% higher ie £19.98 gets similar response.....
♂️

[Dave Ward]

Obviously my brain is too simplistic to see through these auction ploys - all it does is annoy the hell out of me! In fact I'd be less inclined to bid on any item listed like that. It's just odd that I've not come across it, even though I've been on ebay for a good few years!
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Probably a ploy aimed at those who will pay far over the odds for “collectibles”. You are far too astute for that Dave, so haven’t tried to bid on that sort of auction