eBay

richard1rst · ‎05-13-2019

I seem to recall that when you put something up for auction the starting bid had to be some specific percentage below the BIN price. I seem to recall it was 30%.

But my question has to do with a Reserve Price. If you convert a single item listing to an auction is there a similar minimum required percentage below the former BIN price for the reserve price?

"Laissez-faire capitalism (AKA The Great Material Continuum) is the only social system based on the recognition of individual rights and, therefore, the only system that bans force from social relationships." ~ Ayn Rand

nobody*s_perfect · ‎05-13-2019

The BIN option on an auction-format listing must be at least 30% higher than the opening bid value.

But there is no minimum for a reserve. The fee for adding a reserve is high and not refundable; most sellers just start the auction bidding at a price they'd be willing to sell for. You can set the opening bid wherever you'd like, then if you add a BIN option the above 30% threshold applies.

Fees for sellers who don't have a Store: http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/fees.html

Fees for Store subscribers: http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/storefees.html

richard1rst · ‎05-13-2019

Thank you for your comments.

Actually, I was the potential buyer in this case.

There was a fairly expensive item that has been up for auction twice that I know off and both ended “reserve not met”. And as soon as the auction ended it was relisted as a BIN item at the original BIN price.

The thing is, I really want it, but the BIN is a bit out of my budget. My bid (which was the high bid) was within 20% of the original BIN price which did (just barely) stay in my budget. And it did not meet the reserve.

So I am wondering: If the “reserve” is the actual original BIN then what is the point of putting it up for auction? And if that is what he is doing then what is the point of me watching for it again and bidding again.

Just seems that the seller is dangling unobtainable bait.

"Laissez-faire capitalism (AKA The Great Material Continuum) is the only social system based on the recognition of individual rights and, therefore, the only system that bans force from social relationships." ~ Ayn Rand