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Posted By: Jim Clarke

Interesting study. I tend to stay away of some items that do not have a lot of bidder activity. If you start a lot out at a higher price, then someone who is on the bubble in buying it might not want it, thinking that A) That is the reserve price B) That is a retail price and not much of a deal C) It's not really a true auction to let the market "set" the price. D) All of the above.

On the flip side, most lots come down to two people. No matter what you start it at, the final outcome will be about the same. More of an advantage to a buyer I think if started out at a higher price. It might limit the amount of bids people make in an auction if higher starting out bids. I know I bid on 50-100 lots per BIG auction. God forbid if I won them all at my starting out bid price.. No matter how good the deal was..