Ebay - I Don't Get It

[Ric.ror]

I've just bid on something - although I was the highest bidder I did not reach the reserve price
Now what's the point of that - if the vendor didn't want say £100 why start at that if your not prepared to accept that
I just don't understand it at all

[CrapAtCryptics]

Its a regular thing even at auction houses - the seller decides what they think its worth and posts it with that as a reserve - now its not sold they might repost a bit cheaper.

[Cloverjo]

People sometimes start at a very low price to draw others in thinking they'll get a bargain. If the item doesn't reach the price the seller was hoping for he/she will withdraw it and start again another time.

[Ric.ror]

If I was selling and wanted say £200 is start there and hope for more

[bhg481]

People get carried away bidding so end up offering more than they would at the start of the auction. If you start with the price high people may not be interested; if you start low they'll bid for a bargain and get carried away.

[Old_Geezer]

You wouldn't do as well as a seller then. You need to encourage folk in, to bid low, and then not let it get away from them.