Ebay strategies

[mudflaps]

When listing an item on ebay is it more advantageous to set a reserve, or set a buy it now option?

Im selling my bike, and im afraid if I set a buy it now for 1600, some people may get sticker shock and never come back to look at it. But, if I just start it at 900, reserve of 1500, would I get a better price because the $900 is less offensive than the $1600?

Let me know the strategies you guys use. Im usually a buyer on ebay, not a seller.

[PiercedE30]

Use a reserve. If it doesn't meet the reserve, then you don't have to sell it.

[Van Westervelt]

By using a reserve auction, you start it at a lower figure more within people's price range. As it gets bid on and goes up and even beyond their set range, they can come up with other reasons to budget more or find more money cus they have been oogling over the item and wanting it for a few days. Whereas if you had a Buy it Now set, they may have skipped over it entirely to begin with. I would say your chances of selling a more expensive item like that are double with a reserve and no Buy it Now. Save those for iems under $200

[Ryan Stewart]

definately the reserve. It gets people "watching" and then some will keep looking even if it is on the verge of what they will spend.

The high initial price scares them

[mudflaps]

definately the reserve. It gets people "watching" and then some will keep looking even if it is on the verge of what they will spend.

The high initial price scares them

thats exactly what i thought. sadly i use the same mentality when buying.

[M42Technik]

In this case, the reserve.

If its a smaller item you always set a stupid low price (1 cent) with no reserve, people are more keen to bidding on it, and you always have to figure that people may e-snipe the item, so you may end up getting more out of it once the auction ends.

I love e-snipe.

[LINUS]

Set a starting price of a penny. Set your reserve wherever you want it. List a Buy it Now - It stays on your auction until your reserve is met.

I start all mine at a penny to get the watchers, it's like free advertising.

[atomic]

Also if you do a buy it now option I have found that when listing this way some people will click this option and never pay for the item. Leaving you stuck with the fees that ebay will not refund, plus you have to wait 7 days before you can claim a nonpayment claim as well then another week before you get some of your funds back. There is an option when listing with a buy it now that if someone chooses to use this option it requires immediate payment and until it is paid for it stays listed for others to bid on or purchase with buy it now. I do not think there is a charge for it but it is not the easiest function to find when listing and item. Just read carefully and there is a box that can be checked for this option.