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New ebay seller - asked what reserve is?
travel_freak
Posts: 879 Forumite
Hello,
I'm new to ebay selling. I've listed an item with a reserve and have just received a question from someone asking me what my reserve is. Not sure how to reply to this. In some ways I don't really want to disclose it, it is quite a high reserve but it is also a very valuable item.
Any tips on how I should reply?
Many thanks.
Regards,
I'm new to ebay selling. I've listed an item with a reserve and have just received a question from someone asking me what my reserve is. Not sure how to reply to this. In some ways I don't really want to disclose it, it is quite a high reserve but it is also a very valuable item.
Any tips on how I should reply?
Many thanks.
Regards,
0
Comments
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You can tell them if you want, or not. It's completely up to you.
Many bidders dislike reserves and are less inclined to bid, so will often ask what the reserve is before they decide whether or not to bother.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.0 -
I've never used a reserve either. In auction houses it would be highly unlikely that the auctioneer would let bidders know the reserve.
I'd suggest answering along the lines that you are new to selling and were wary of letting the item sell for a low amount, but that you will probably sell the item to the highest bidder (which you can do) if it doesn't reach the reserve.
I think (from my own experiences) that buy it now with best offer works better than auctions with reserve. If you are going to tell buyers the reserve price, you might as well do this anyway..0 -
I've often asked the reserve price and have always been told.
It gives me the chance to move on to something else if it's out of my price range.0 -
If I wanted to bid and you wouldn't tell me the reserve, I'd walk away. I don't play games on ebay.
Either you want the bidding to reach that price, or you don't. I'm not going to waste my time bidding up your auction for you, when I might not be able to afford your reserve.
I'm really not trying to be harsh
but see it from the buyer's perspective. Reserves really aren't state secrets. And you don't have to show the answer to the question on the listing if you really don't want to display it to everyone. My TV is broken!
Edit: refunded £515 for TV 1.5 years out of warranty - thank you Sale of Goods Act! :j0 -
frivolous_fay wrote: »If I wanted to bid and you wouldn't tell me the reserve, I'd walk away. I don't play games on ebay.
... Fay, where's the fun in that?
OP, if people move onto an unreserved item then that's fine, you have stuck to your valuation, and if it doesn't sell then it doesn't sell. At least if you tell people your reserve then they will always have that figure in their heads and your item will be at the front of their mind. Think of it this way - what harm can it do to tell?.... if it turns out that it's a rival seller asking then that's just an unlucky break.0 -
My TV is broken!
Edit: refunded £515 for TV 1.5 years out of warranty - thank you Sale of Goods Act! :j0 -
If it's a valuable item, surely BIN with a best offer would be a lot simpler?
OP, please read the other threads if you are going to accept paypal,
we don't want you back on here in a few days asking for help, we want you to have an "easy, pleasant, transaction".lol:p"There is a light that never goes out"0 -
I assume the low start price to is avoid the higher insertion fees for a high fixed price BIN.It's BOUGHT (to Buy), not BROUGHT (to bring) AND you cannot be frauded, only DEfrauded.
Please do not buy animals from a pet store. Visit your local sanctuary or centre and give a good home to an unloved or abandoned animal.0 -
Reserve fees are 2% up to £100 though IIRC, so not much to gain0
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Now that the reserve fee is payable regardless of whether or not the item sells (which makes this an expensive option) , there is little point in using one unless you are unsure that item will sell well.I’m a Forum Ambassador and I support the Forum Team on the eBay, Auctions, Car Boot & Jumble Sales, Boost Your Income, Praise, Vents & Warnings, Overseas Holidays & Travel Planning , UK Holidays, Days Out & Entertainments boards. If you need any help on these boards, do let me know.. Please note that Ambassadors are not moderators. Any posts you spot in breach of the Forum Rules should be reported via the report button, or by emailing forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com.All views are my own and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.0
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