Jim Episale wrote.....

"""""""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
Jim Episale
""""""""""""""""""

Whoa Jim,

Thanks for your "two cheques worth ", BUT, in MY "never to be humble" opinion, YOUR opinion that "starting a bid/auction at a price lower than what the seller is willing to accept deceives the bidder" is WAY off base.

Do you ever attend "real" auctions? With live people and a real auctioneer? Bidding generally starts at about 25% of what the house expects to realize from the sale of the item.

We sell on eBay occasionally and without exception start EVERY auction at 99 cents/No Reserve. It's not done to "deceive" anyone... It's to get the bidding going and to interest people in bidding. There is even a catagory of sellers on eBay who always begin their auctions at 99 cents.

I recently listed some Ivory Poker Chips on eBay. Opening bid was 99 cents / No Reserve. I KNOW that Ivory chips don't sell/close for 99 cents at auction. DUH!!!! The free market will decide what the chips are worth at this particicular time.

If items are listed at auction only for, as you suggest - "What the Seller is Willing To Accept"...
That would NOT be called an "auction" - That would be called a "STORE".

Best and good chipping,

Steve in Albuquerque