Opening price vs (known) reserve Poll

[Cat]

I will bid in auctions with reserves but I won't place snipes (unless the reserve is already met). I will simply bump to the next bid level if it has a reserve. In the end, I do not win very many reserve auctions.

If it is an auction house and the item has a reserve and the auction house states that they will place floor bids up to the reserve, I will not bid at all.

[HRBAKER]

If it is an auction house and the item has a reserve and the auction house states that they will place floor bids up to the reserve, I will not bid at all.

Amen

[barrysloate]

When the economy was strong and prices for baseball cards were bullish, a reserve wasn't really necessary. It's a much different landscape today and like it or not, we are going to see more lots with reserves. That may soon be the only way auction houses will be able to consistently get consignments. It's a sign of the times.

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

When the economy was strong and prices for baseball cards were bullish, a reserve wasn't really necessary. It's a much different landscape today and like it or not, we are going to see more lots with reserves. That may soon be the only way auction houses will be able to consistently get consignments. It's a sign of the times.

Barry,

I agree with you but what you end up with is little more than a fixed price sale masquerading as an auction.

[GoldenAge50s]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Barry,

I agree with you but what you end up with is little more than a fixed price sale masquerading as an auction.

Jeff---

That's true, but if you have a Reserve that's in line w/ current values you are just protecting yourself from someone literally stealing a card from you by lowball bidding--and I'm not including those ridiculous 4x-6x BV Sellers.

I'm willing to sell my cards at fair market/decent values, but just because the economy is off I'm not going to GIVE quality cards away!

[HRBAKER]

Originally Posted by GoldenAge50s

Jeff---

That's true, but if you have a Reserve that's in line w/ current values you are just protecting yourself from someone literally stealing a card from you by lowball bidding--and I'm not including those ridiculous 4x-6x BV Sellers.

Or you are protecting yourself from "current values."

In some instances really.

[GoldenAge50s]

Well, Reserve or no Reserve, low min or start @ what you expect, I think a Seller builds his reputation on many things, among them is not asking Strasburg prices if you only have a t206 Wagner to offer!

Buyers get to know how you operate if they give you a chance, and I value quality along w/ reasonable pricing as my way of doing business.

[Matthew H]

Originally Posted by HRBAKER

Or you are protecting yourself from "current values."

In some instances really.

There is nothing wrong with this. Auto auctions run like this all the time. It's well known that some sellers sometimes just want to see what the current market is for their car, and if it meets their reserve, then they will sell. This doesn't seem to bother anyone. My uncle bids on cars all the time, I've never heard him complain about reserves.

Alot of cards do sell for their "current value" today, some people are taking losses. I also think that some collectors are still licking their wounds from previous years and are reluctant to bid. I think this trend is temporary. I'll find as many good deals as I can, while I can, and so will everybody else.

When it comes time for people to sell all of these great deals they found during these tough times, they won't be putting reserves on their cards. They won't have to.