What's the point? Reserve price vs minimum starting bid | Member To Member Support

artbikephysveg · 2025-12-21T09:48:18.411000Z

Why do people have a reserve price and a minimum starting bid? Surely if you want something to sell for more than "x" amount of money why not just have x as your minimum starting bid. The reserve price has built in disappointment for bid winners who are below the reserve price. Also, if the reserve price is too high then it's a waste of time imho bidding. A case in point. I am looking at a laptop. It has a reserve price. But it's also on offer for a good price brand new in shops. I would buy the laptop if the reserve price wasn't high. But if it is high then I would rather buy brand new with a good warranty/guarantee and knowing the battery will be good. I find it a strange concept. Maybe just me..... Anyone care to please explain why reserve prices are allowed?

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What's the point? Reserve price vs minimum starting bid | Member To Member Support | eBay UK