Don,
I've read the posts on this subject but I hadn't contributed to the discussion because I don't have a strong feeling either way. Your post covers the subject very well. I've participated in reserve and non-reserve auctions as a buyer but I haven't yet used the reserve option as a seller. I guess if I wasn't really sure what a piece was worth, I'd try the reserve auction style. On the other hand, if I'm fairly sure of somethings value, I establish a price I'd be willing to sell it for and let the market decide the rest.