I disagree with you here. Showing a reserve or having a opening bid that you will accept does not turn the auction into a simple sale. I compare it to a track meet, and more specificly the high jump. When the meet officials announce that the opening height is going to be 6'2". This notifies everyone that the bar is going to start at 6'2" off the ground, and if you cannot jump 6'2", DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME ENTERING THIS EVENT!!! It does not however, say that if you can clear 6'2" or more that you are going to win the event. You still have to beat everyone else! An auction with a acceptable opening bid is the same. Just because you make a bid that the seller will accept if it is the highest bid received, it does not mean you will eventually be the high bidder and win the auction.

Steve