Often when there is a discussiuon, one side likes to make the choice seem like their opinion on one side and a cardboard figure on the other........ First, I think the seller should protect his end by having either a decent opening bid or a reserve...............I am against reserves in general, but if I were selling a valuable item, I'd want some protection.................So what I do is have a decent minimum opening bid, one that is not exactly as high as a sales price, but an opening bid at about 70 to 80% of what I'd like for the item -- a number less than I'd be elated at receiving but more than what I'd cry over receiving.