Question for e-bayers: if a Watched Item is relisted because the

[Bunny]

reserve wasn't met, is there any way to try to determine what the Reserve might be?

For example, I was watching an item that had a starting price of $29.95. There were 0 bids recorded, and it was noted that the Reserve had not been met. So, as there were no bidders, I assume the seller determined the minimum bid of $29.95. Based on this, is there a formula of some sort to try to figure out what the reserve might be? I wouldn't mind getting the item, but I don't want to pay too much.

Sorry if this is an incredibly stupid question, I don't bother much with e-bay and I'm clueless as to the little ins and outs.

[catmandu57]

1. Why don't you send a mail

to the seller and asks them what their reserve is.

[Bunny]

2. I'm so clueless that I don't know if you're teasing me or not!

In case you're serious, wouldn't asking the seller what the reserve is defeat the purpose of the reserve? :shrug:

[catmandu57]

3. Oh no, I'm not teasing

I've set reserves before and had people mail me asking, the seller at least knows spmeone is interested that way, I know you're not supposed to but you may be able to make a deal on the item.

[Bunny]

4. Ahh, okay. If they set the initial price at 29.95, do you think they

may settle for maybe $40 or so? Or is a reserve normally a lot higher than the initial price? I appreciate your help.

[InvisibleTouch]

5. It doesn't hurt to ask.

If the item didn't sell the first time, and has no current bids, the seller may be open to an offer. Some sellers won't tell you what their reserve is, but many will. I almost never use that function, but if someone asked me what my reserve was, I'd tell them.

[Bunny]

6. Okay, thanks! Since the auction just restarted, maybe I'll wait

until there's only a day or so to go, then get in touch with her.

[LostinVA]

7. Me too

[Esra Star]

12. This might be a dumb question, but what is the philosophy

behind not setting the starting price at the reserve?
You would think that this way, less time would be wasted.

[LynzM]

8. No way to tell...

You can set the starting price and reserve however you want, as the seller. So you can start bidding at $1 to peak people's interest, but a reserve of $50 to make the amount of money you want. Or it could be as you say, only a $10 difference. Sorry, I know that's not helpful for you to try to figure it out!

[Bunny]

9. Well, it's useful in that it tells me there is no set formula for this.

So that's helpful. Thanks!

[Awsi Dooger]

10. You might check the seller's other listings

Assuming there have been others. If he has a ton of feedback then he might be a power seller who has offered the same item many times. You can look at those completed items and check what they sold for. The same item could have been auctioned many times -- some selling, some not. That's typical for items offered frequently by the same seller. If he sold several for let's say $50 while the other auctions never hit the reserve price, then it's a fair guess the reserve price was $50 or slightly below.

As others have said, a simple way to do it is ask the seller. I wouldn't wait until the last day or so. It requires a response and the seller might not be checking the emails frequently.

I've experimented with reserve prices and without them. Several times I was asked the reserve price, and always gave it. The hassle is people who then want you to cancel the auction and sell to them for exactly the reserve price. Sure, pal.

Make sure to check the completed auctions of the similar items to see what the going rate is. The "Check Completed Items" box is at left, somewhat obscured amidst all the categories when you do a search for that type of item.

[Bunny]

11. AHA! Thanks for this tip! I just looked back at her completed sales

and she tried to auction the very same item two weeks ago. She turned down a $36.00 bid, saying that the reserve was not met. So I guess I know that the reserve is at least $36.50. This was very helpful. I think I'll just email her and see if she'll tell me her reserve. What do I have to lose at this point, right?