Thread: How to set a reserve price on ebay?

Yeah, I need a different form, but I can't find it.

ebay is really ****ing me off today. I went to their FAQs. Apparently this is their new simpler form, which is not the one I want, because you don't have the option to set a reserve. But it says in there that you can click on "opt out" to go back to the old form. But I don't see any "opt out" link. Grrr.

They tell me there is an opt out link, but there isn't. I didn't want this crappy new form to begin with. Is there a number I can call to cuss somebody at ebay out? I'm just frustrated, because it seems like they're making it hard to find the proper form on purpose.

Ebay never makes some things easy. I wanted to call them one day and just kept clicking and clicking to try to find a phone number. Finally after about 45 minutes I found it. It is now entered into my phone so I always have it.

Speaking to a helpfull lady on the phone right now. She's working on resetting it on my account so I'm not using this beta form. She said alot of people are having problems with it.

Originally Posted by jello_g

eBay's directions:

To set a reserve price:
1. Go to the Sell Your Item form.
2. On the Create your listing page, scroll down to the Choose how you'd like to sell your item section.
3. Click the Add or remove options link, select Reserve Price, and then click the Save button.
4. To enter your reserve price, click the Change link next to No Reserve price set for this item.
5. Enter a reserve price, and then click the Save button.

Hope that helps,
jello

Ok. I'm about done with ebay for now, because its about to ruin my day, lol. I got my account reset so I'm not using the beta form. I followed the instructions above, but when I click "Change" nothing happens.

Originally Posted by AdamL

Speaking to a helpfull lady on the phone right now. She's working on resetting it on my account so I'm not using this beta form. She said alot of people are having problems with it.

Got to love lazy companies releasing code not fully tested so that their users can test it and save them some $$$...

When you click on "Change" you should get a pop-up with the following (I'm based in Canada and using ebay.ca, thus the difference in currency). You should also get on this popup, but not shown here, a empty field after the $ sign where you are to enter your reserve amount.:

Set a reserve price


The reserve price is the absolute lowest price at which you are willing to sell your item. If the highest bid does not meet this price, you're under no obligation to sell the item to the high bidder.

• If you are selling a low value or commodity item, consider selling without a reserve price. Research has shown that selling with a reserve price sometimes results in fewer bids and a lower selling price.
• Consider setting a reserve price if you are selling a high value item.

Reserve price (see listing fees - opens in a new window or tab)
C $

Ok guys. I finally got it. Thank you all very much for taking the time to help me. It seemed we were having a problem communicating at first, and it was because I was on the beta form. I like how simple it is. But I don't like that there is no option for a reserve price. Overall, it seems like ebay really really hates reserve prices. Probably because they want every auction to end the same way. With a sale, and them getting paid.
Do I have to pay fees even if this item doesn't sell?

Why not just put the minimum start bid at your reserve and be done with it I believe most bidders shun the listings that say "reserve not met" ? Although low start bids like 0.99 attract interest, I have sold things with higher start prices?, and that method works best for me

Originally Posted by 10gary22

Why not just put the minimum start bid at your reserve and be done with it I believe most bidders shun the listings that say "reserve not met" ? Although low start bids like 0.99 attract interest, I have sold things with higher start prices?, and that method works best for me

Interesting. I thought about that. I figured the high start price would not be attractive to bidders. But you're right, it saying "reserve not met" probably isn't attractive to the bidder either.

Reserves are good in auctions where you have item that is rare/there is few other listing of it in ebay. In which case you have a good chance of early bidders bidding up the price to beat the reserve and lessen the chance of low ball offer winning the auction thanking to sniping.

Do I have to pay fees even if this item doesn't sell?

If they haven't changed things, yes you do pay a fee on reserve auctions even if it doesn't sell. You don't pay a fee on a set starting price auction if it doesn't sell.