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.