...what I was addressing regarding reserve auctions was that I have no problem bidding. and did not mention about listing a reserve auction.

Last year I ran three reserve auctions (don't really like to use the option) and thus far this year ran one where I wound up abandoning the reserve in the last 39-minutes of the auction.

My point is, and I'll give a factual example below, is that if a bidder is prepared to buy an item at a given number in his mind...why not execute that thought into the auction?

Now the example:

Within the last two weeks I had a certain Las Vegas chip listed on eBay for $XXX. I had some e-mail and a call or two asking if I would end the auction early and talk. One very interested buyer asked me if I would consider his proposal and accept $15 less should the chip not receive any bids. My response: "for you, no problem." The interested party mentioned that he would be at work when the auction closes. Anyway, the chip received the minimum bid of $XXX. The other interested party wrote me saying: "I knew that would happen...and now the chip will be twice that amount at the convention!!!"

If I have not yet made my point...then please continue to try to explain to me how a bidder who knows the market well enough not to click on bidding history to see who's in the action, and knows very well how much he will pay for the chip...is being harmed in bidding on an auction with a reserve. Remember, I'm not even talking about what most of us would like to see...I'm talking fact. I dislike listing a reserve auction just as much as the next guy, but when it comes to bidding on one, I treat it no different than any other auction.

Who harmed (not actually harm) whom in the example above...and believe you me, I've got enough case histories to show what I'm saying is very factual. The only person who harmes a bidder in an auction is himself...especially if he doesn't know the market (and worse yet) does knows the market...and who is not able to impliment his thinking onto the bid page needs to reconsider his rationale regarding. Most important factor: a bidder can stop his bidding at any time...he should be in full controll....

JB