Mike:
It also has to do with the seller saving money on the listing fee. The lower
the starting price, the lower the fee. But it is silly to set a high reserve
while starting at $1. Some sellers are at least honest enough to say what their
reserve price is in their text.
On a side note, we are looking for two things tonight.
1. Progressive insurance in our area is looking for a right rear quarter-panel
for a 68 roadster, as one of the local cars got hit by a Motorcycle. New is
preferred, but used will be considered.
2. Is there anyone in the SF area that would consider helping to check out a
2000 running gear for sale in the Vacaville area. We would like to purchase the
set-up, but are 12-13 hours away (Portland, OR), and would like to only make
one trip if possible.
Please respond off-list if you can help with either situation, and we will
provide more details. Thanks in advance to everyone.
Dan & Susan
> Fred, I understand your point, and would tend to agree
> that I do not like playing games, but the fact is that
> this tactic works, and it is all bidding psycology
> 101. If you set the starting bid high either on the
> auction block or in an Internet ad, you automatically
> loose some bidders who justifiably are looking to
> steal something rather than buy something. It is why
> lots of people play the lottery,....or bid at
> auctions. They want the unbelievable bargain! Once a
> bidder's feet are wet, it is much easier to stay in
> and ultimately pay a fair price for something, but
> that will never happen if he never jumps in. Without
> multiple bidders, an auction is a flop.
>
> I've done a little auctioneering, so that is my
> experience, but I do understand the sentement of "tell
> me what you want, don't make me guess". I guess
> that's what you get in the classifieds...
>
> Roadster content: That was a nice roadster for the
> price...sorry if it was wrecked, or whatever.
>
> Mike Harper
> '66 1600
> Charleston SC
>
> --- Fred_Katz@ci.sf.ca.us wrote:
> > This is a dumb question, but why the need for
> > reserve auctions?
> >
> > Let's say you want a minimum of $3000, then why not
> > just start the auction
> > at a starting price of $3000 and go from there? Why
> > all this B.S. of
> > starting at some ridiculously low price and force
> > the bidders into bidding
> > repeatedly to search for the reserve price? I don't
> > understand it, so I try
> > to stay away from reserve auctions.
> >
> > Fred - So.SF
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