I find that a hidden reserve is a major turn-off, especially once the bids
come close to the fair market value of the item and the reserve is still not
met. I am not interested in playing those games. You are right, it CAN get
some bidding underway before the last five minutes of the "auction", but it
can also eliminate a sizable number of potential customers. As I told Peter
off-list, ebay does not really emulate an auction... it is a simulation of
the last five minutes before closing time at a swap meet or flea market.
High starting prices can also be off-putting, but too low of a starting
price will restrict how high the price will go.
David Lieb
1972 RWA Midget
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