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If this is true, then it would seem to work in the favor of a no-reserve, low-starting price auction.
Not all the time. It really depends on different factors, like who happens to be online at that given moment. Sometimes the bidders just aren't there and other times you have alot of bidders. Newbies bid up items more than an Ebay old timer. Also I think if I lived in the U.S.A. I'd do better selling stuff. There are many buyers who see Canada or U.K. and don't want any mail/customs hassles.These bidders stay away. I've had a buyer in the U.S. win my Auction then when they received the item, they list it and get twice the money I got for the item! Location plays a big role.
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So what's better, starting at $9.95 and having 15 bidders bid an item up to $1462 which doesn't meet your reserve, or starting it at $2500 and having one bidder?
I'd rather have one bidder meet my reserve than 15 bidders and not sell the item. I never put a reserve that is over what I have invested in the item so in my case a buyer meeting the reserve means I break even to me that's what a reserve is, a protection against a loss. The best case scenario is meeting the reserve and then some. Right now I've decided to try Buy It Now which might be better than a Reserve. The Buy it Now offers the person the option to get it for this price right way no competition, no waiting and hopefully a good deal. I've bought some items like that and was pleased that I didn't have to bother waiting for the Auction to end, worry about snipers or forgetting and missing the Auctions end. I always wonder why some Sellers end Auctions at 5:00 am in the morning..like I'm going to be there to win it..not likely.