Why do people bother bidding when they dont want to bid close to the reserve price?

shelovestobuystuff

Just wondered if anyone has any thoughts on why people would even bother putting the time into bidding if they have no intention of bidding anywhere close to the reserve price.I have the reserve prices if I have them obviously noted in the listings so its not a secret.
If I have something listed with £100 reserve but its bid up to about £20 what was the point,they have just wasted their time bidding on something they couldnt afford to buy?
Why dont I just start the bidding at the reserve price I want you will probably ask.Well if I use a low start price but place a reserve my listing will show higher up the page when people search by price like I do.Its more likely to get bids and that will make it more visible in the listings too.

Strapped

They probably hope that if the item doesn't sell, you will send them a second chance offer at a price lower than your reserve.

davetrousers

People like a bargain. It costs nothing to bid.

shelovestobuystuff

Okay,fair enough.I suppose if it got quite close to the reserve I would 2nd chance offer it to the highest bidder.£21 though bid on one of my items with a £100 reserve,I was just a bit dissapointed with that as I had high hopes for it.Oh well,maybe next time.

Hintza

Perhaps your reserve is too high. But they could have say bid £80 but if no one else bids who is to know.

itsnotfair_2

By bidding it also makes you less likely to stop or remove the listing.

mrcol1000

I read somewhere that Ebay reckon items with a reserve do very badly compared to those which don't. You might be better off having a buy it now price.

Stubbarama

I cant stand people putting reserves on, how are you supposed to know what the seller wants ? If you wont accept less than £50, start it at £50 !!

Your wasting everyones time.

mrcol1000

Stubbarama wrote: »

I cant stand people putting reserves on, how are you supposed to know what the seller wants ? If you wont accept less than £50, start it at £50 !!

Your wasting everyones time.

I agree. Surely the reserve fee is the same starting fee for the higher amount?

milfhunter

mrcol1000 wrote: »

I agree. Surely the reserve fee is the same starting fee for the higher amount?

it's higher! it's 2% of the reserve price whether it sells or not. It is cheaper to start it at a higher price than use the reserve.

cyberbob

Stubbarama wrote: »

I cant stand people putting reserves on, how are you supposed to know what the seller wants ? If you wont accept less than £50, start it at £50 !!.

Agree if I see an an item with a reserve price and a similar one with a start price bid. I go for the start price everytime