[Hidden-tech] eBay Newbie Questions

[Mike]

Hi Michael,

Actually, there doesn't have to be 2 bidders on a reserve auction. A 
buyer can bid against the reserve (many live auctioneers will do this too)
When your max bid reaches or exceeds  the reserve, ebay jumps your bid 
up to meet the reserve.
http://pages.ebay.com/help/buy/proxy-bidding.html

There are good reasons for and against reserves. Depends on the type of 
item you're selling. Items that are very popular and will have many 
bidders, I don't bother with a reserve. But if you have an item of 
value, and are unsure how it will sell, you should use reserve. Lets say 
you have an item easily worth $100, but you want to generate a lot of 
interest, so you start it off at 99 cents. If only 1 Person bids, the 
seller is screwed! The only way to protect yourself is with the reserve 
(or shill bidding, but that's against the rules!)

Just my 2 cents.

Michael Duquette



Michael Muller wrote:

>   ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee.
>   ** You too can help the group
>   ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>   ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
>
>And sometimes it doesn't because the seller posts an unrealistic, near-new reserve price, and if that price isn't hit by at least TWO people (remember, I can say I'll bid $100, but if no one bets against me at that price it stays at the current highest real bid) then the whole thing was a wasted excersize.  Generally I don't bid on reserve auctions because I don't know what tghe seller really wants, and I'm not going to waste my time. Usually the item is available from another seller that isn't using a reserve price.  Why do you think some sellers advertise "No Reserve!!" Just my 2c.
>
>But I would be interested to see any statistics on the subject.
>
>Michael
>
>
>At 01:04 PM 1/8/2007, Daniel Fried wrote:
>  
>
>>Michael,
>>
>>Actually, the reserve price mechanism eBay uses mirrors the time-tested
>>system used in live auctions.  It may seem silly, but lower starting prices
>>get more people interested and bidding against each other.  Statistically,
>>once people enter bidding, they are likely to continue past a price that
>>they may not have chosen to enter at.
>>
>>-Dan
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net
>>[mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] On Behalf Of Michael
>>Muller
>>Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 12:20 PM
>>To: Ron Miller; Hidden-Tech
>>Subject: Re: [Hidden-tech] eBay Newbie Questions
>>
>>  ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee.
>>  ** You too can help the group
>>  ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>>  ** If you did, we all thank you.
>>
>>
>>Ron,
>>
>>In my experience Reserve auctions are frustrating. If you want to make sure
>>an item sells for a minimum amount, set that as the starting price. Why on
>>earth would you offer an item for less than you want, and why would you hide
>>the final price? Doesn't make sense to me.
>>
>>The lowest-cost time period is 7 days, but you can pay a little extra to
>>make it shorter or longer; 5 days or 10 I believe.
>>
>>If someone bids on your item you have to sell, so make sure you start it at
>>something your comfortable with.  Also make sure you're clear about the
>>shipping fees. I ship everything USPS Priority, which typically is around $4
>>depending on the item and the weight.
>>
>>Michael
>>
>>
>>** I AM A GOOD DOBEE
>>** I HAVE FILLED OUT THE SURVEYS AND THE SKILLS INVENTORY
>>** YOU ARE WELCOME
>>
>>
>>At 10:13 AM 1/8/2007, Ron Miller wrote:
>>    
>>
>>> ** The author of this post was a Good Dobee.
>>> ** You too can help the group
>>> ** Fill out the survey/skills inventory in the member's area.
>>> ** If you did, we all thank you.
>>>
>>>
>>>Hi:
>>>I've opened an eBay account and I want to begin selling some things, but
>>>      
>>>
>>I'm not clear how to go about it and the eBay Getting Started pages are less
>>than helpful.
>>    
>>
>>>Specifically I want to know:
>>>
>>>* If I put an item out to auction, can I set a minimum price?
>>>
>>>* Do I set a time limit on an auction or does eBay impose this on me as a
>>>      
>>>
>>seller?
>>    
>>
>>>* If I reach the end of an auction, and I'm not happy with the highest bid,
>>>      
>>>
>>am obligated to sell anyway? If I don't, would this affect my rating as a
>>seller?
>>    
>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>Ron
>>>
>>>Ron Miller
>>>Freelance Technology Writing Since 1988
>>>Contributing Editor, EContent Magazine
>>>
>>>email: ronsmiller at comcast.net
>>>web: http://www.ronsmiller.com
>>>blog: http://byronmiller.typepad.com
>>>
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>>--------
>>Michael Muller
>>Muller Technologies
>>24 3rd Street
>>Turners Falls, MA 01376
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>>
>
>--------
>Michael Muller
>Muller Technologies
>24 3rd Street
>Turners Falls, MA 01376
>work:  (413) 863-0030
>cell:   (413) 320-5336
>skype: michaelBmuller
>http://support.MullerTech.com
>
>Eschew Obfuscation
>
>
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>
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