andy volkerts
Well-Known Member
GO BACK FOR MORE!!!!!!!!
Leon, the obvious reason for a reserve is to not let a thousand dollar bottle float away for $9.99! Plus, one can always announce the reserve amount in the listing, eliminating those unwilling to spend that amount. It's not the reserve that usually scares people off of bidding, it's either greed (wanting something for nothing) or the feeling one is wasting their time. There is a reason for reserves and it works, otherwise it would simply stop existing. Plus, the bottle is worth at least $100 to the owner as he says he would hold on to it rather than sell for less, so there is an "implied" reserve in that statement. I was trying to give him ideas on options, or rather what I would do in his position. I personally would not risk loosing that much money without protecting the value it may bring, regardless of "investment." I once listed a bottle I bought for $45 for $9.99 thinking it was at least a $100 bottle. It turned out to be a rare one that sold for $957. I got lucky 3 ways that time. First for recognizing it was a bottle worth at least double what I paid for it, second for having it sell for what it sold for, and third being ignorant of it's true value. I most certainly would have had a reserve of $500 on that one and I am equally convinced the bottle would have sold for the same amount. But this is all speculation. If it doesn't sell with a reserve, list it again and lower the reserve, or not.hemihampton said:Why put a $500 reserve on it unless you paid $500 or have $500 invested into it. If nothing invested in it, A Freebie like yours just list for opening bid of $9.99 & no reserve & see what happens. Also, Reserves scare alot of people away & prevent many from bidding at all. You'd probaly get more bids & higher price without a reserve. LEON.