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 Replies: 17 / Views: 4,866 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1283 Posts |
I just wanted to know if it's rude or bad etiquette to ask a seller what the reserve price is. Have any of you asked before, and if so, what was the outcome?
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
Not as far as I'm concerned ! I think reserve prices are rude ! I ask anytime I find something I may like to own that has a reserve price and I never feel guilty about it . I have no intention of playing a guessing game with the ebay bid system . Metalman |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
936 Posts |
I ask all the time, 99% of the time they tell you what it is.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
597 Posts |
If a seller thinks it is rude, perhaps they shouldn't have a reserve price or they are iffy on selling in the first place. Some will even clearly state in their auctions what the reserve is.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1984 Posts |
No, it's not rude to ask. However, it would be rude to write them back and say, "Are you kidding?!?" after they tell you what the reserve is.  So far I've asked directly once (I thought the reserve was ridiculously high based on my view of the coin) and indirectly a couple of times by asking a Q about the item and the seller volunteered the info. I bought one lot based on the reserve info the seller gave me. I wouldn't ask at a "real" auction unless it was after the item didn't sell and I was still thinking about purchasing it, but in this case it's totally up to the seller. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
936 Posts |
I have also asked after the auction, then offered what I thought it was worth and he accepted and put a buy it now up for me.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
819 Posts |
I asked once on a high dollar item because I wanted to buy it and was going to enter a bid for above the reserve price and not have to watch the auction process (that was before sniping came into vogue); seller refused to disclose reserve in spite of my explanation above...so I passed on it altogether. I rarely use reserves anymore, but would post them in the auction or reveal them upon asking...I used reserves mainly as a way to save listing money over listing something at $2500, I would use a reserve at list it for 99 cents and say the reserve was 2400 to take the suspense out; it was cheaper on fees for me to do it that way. haven't looked at new ebay fee schedule, they may have corrected that loophole. |
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Valued Member
United States
155 Posts |
I don't think it's at all rude to ask. They always have the option to not tell you if they really don't want to give the info out. If you're not comfortable bidding without the info you should be able to get it or know to move on.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1952 Posts |
I agree with everyone here. I have also asked what the reserve is and only once I didn't get it. most will tell you but that 1% don't matter just move on. it is ebay there will be either the same coin or one just like it in a minute. Gary |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
651 Posts |
I usually ignore most auctions with reserves. Only a couple of auctions have had reserves did I actually keep interest in and I asked for the reserve both times with success.
So I'm with everyone else that it's not rude
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
1283 Posts |
Thanks for the input, guys. I asked, he told. I guess he's not in the Army.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
936 Posts |
No, now he is going to have to kill you! |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2600 Posts |
Just curious, guys. But if shill bidding is abominable and reserves are rude (sorry Rick) what is the right way to protect the value of high dollar coins and still inspire interest. This seems like a horrible "Catch 22". Not trying to fire up the other threads emotion, but I do not understand what is the correct venue when you consider both buyer and seller. I understand that shill bidding is in theory fraud, USAP, that is not my question. I am simply stating that I understand what motivates it. Jim  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
1283 Posts |
Jim, I don't consider reserve prices to be unethical. People just don't like them. Without question shill bidding IS theft.
The best way to protect your investment IMO is two ways. Decide the minimum you're welling to accept for the coin and post the starting bid at that price with no reserve. Or you can post it for BIN for what you think is fair.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
7123 Posts |
Jim its ok ! LOL ,, ebay is an auction formatted venue ! they also have stores for those who want to sell at fixed price levels ,, even though auctions are not limited to the true auction style format there are other ways to safe guard your teasure from all the unscrupulous buyers out to steal it from you . If the seller will not accept less than that amount ,why not just put it out on a BIN ? of course the answer to that question is simple ,, some people just have to find out what that hidden price is ! and cannot help themselves from bidding until they find it . these folks are like a person who gambles to the point of sickness ,, hidden reserves prey on those folks and that intense urge. Metalman |
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Pillar of the Community
Australia
2830 Posts |
G'day, just an observation about the difference between ebay and a "real", or "old-fashioned" auction. In the auctions I am familiar with, reserves are common. Auctioneers will disclose that a reserve exists, but never what the quantum is. When/if the bidding passes the reserve, the auctioneer will announce that fact, because we are now in serious, contract-making territory. If the reserve is not reached, the highest bidder gets the right of first negotiation. This is conducted in private. At that point, the auctioneer will invariably disclose the amount of the reserve, in the hope of quickly concluding a deal. ebay differs from the traditional model, in that a seller can specify both a starting price, AND a reserve. I could never understand why, until basicbob101 posted an explanation, above: the ebay fee-structure favours this method. If you go to the "guides" section of ebay, one coin dealer from the U.K. describes a method of discovering the reserve, a bit unethically, in my view. I think the bottom line is: you bid what you're willing to pay. If it beats the reserve and all other bidders, then you win. Peter in Oz |
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Replies: 17 / Views: 4,866 |
Posted 08/24/2007 05:58 am
