Jim
Although the both auctions would end in the same result, I thinkk that there is a difference. The difference is that EBAY has a rule that says no shill bidding, and if you break the rukes there is no longer a level playing field. Ebay provides for hidden reserves and makes no demands on where to start the bidding, so in my opinion, there are only two reasons to start the bid at a price lower than you are willing to accept.
1. To pay a smaller insertion fee,
2. To deceive the bidder.
and thats my two cheques worth