How do you handle ?s on reserve prices.

I've just been asked what my reserve price is on one of my coats. I've never had this question before and I'd like to know how others handle this type of question - are their any advantages to telling or not telling? What's your experience?

Many thanks!!!
 
l dont know why ebay doesnt show it...l think it would let buyers know, right away..if an item ahs a reserve on it, l dont usually bother...it would be helpful to show it, why is it such a mystery anyway? if l want a reserve l start it at that price...l think most people use it cos they dont want to pay the full listing fee...
 
Well, being a relative newbie to ebay, I've been trying different things because I don't really know which is the best way to go. I'm realizing that if a person really wants something they're willing to almost pay anything. I had a brand new no name 70s mens suit that was so small I didn't think I'd find a buyer and in retrospect my reserve was too low - the gentleman who won would have paid me quadruple what he paid and I had a couple of emails from others telling me if the sale fell thru they'd double what I got. ??? And then of course, you're left wondering why these people didn't bid in the first place.

I'm still at the point where I feel like it's a crap shoot, unless there's a name behind it - and even then...

"l think most people use it cos they dont want to pay the full listing fee... " I don't know ebay's reasoning, but ebay charges you if you don't meet your reserve; so it can be costly. But doesn't charge you if you do meet it.
 
From what I've seen the fees to list with a reserve and the fees to list with the starting bid as your reserve are very comparable. I think it truly depends on the item whether you put in a reserve or not. If you are starting the bid off at say $199, that might scare the bidders off. But if you start the bidding at $49 and put in a reserve of $199 you might get more people bidding at the beginning to see what your reserve is. I don't mind telling a prospective bidder what my reserve is. Just don't let the message post to your listing so the world doesn't know. Lately I've been doing a lot of "buy it nows" and accepting best offers. I think I've gotten much more than I would have on auction for a lot of my items. I think you're right, if they want it they'll pay for it. Of course, figuring out what that amount is is the challenge......:puzzled:
 
"Lately I've been doing a lot of "buy it nows" and accepting best offers. I think I've gotten much more than I would have on auction for a lot of my items." -

That's encouraging - I just recently put up one like that and I'll be doing a few more in the coming weeks. My biggest problem too is figuring out the amount.
 
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