Thread: How would you bid on this theoretical auction?

This thread is not related to an actual auction nor will the razor pictured in this post be up for auction. WAIT, don't stop reading yet!

I've created this post because I'm interested, even fascinated by what makes each of us tick in why we bid or why we don't bid on auctions depending on how the auction is configured by the seller.

I'd appreciate any feedback as to what drives you to bid or not to bid.

Personally, I'm put off by high shipping charges in relation to the item being sold. Other than that, I decide on the max I'll bid (snipe); whether the item has a reserve, "high" starting bid, etc is really inconsequential to me.

I'd like to provide a visual theoretical example to give a framework and reference point for my following questions:

Assume for a moment that this Hess if it were in a real listing had as many pictures from as many angles as you'd like to see and a detailed description and shipping of $5 or free shipping.

Scenario #1: No reserve, starting bid of $20.
Scenario #2: No reserve, starting bid of $125.
Scenario #3: Reserve of $100, starting bid of $20.
Scenario #4: Reserve of $100, starting bid of $1.


With the above scenarios, assume that the maximum you'd pay for that razor was over the $100 reserve or the $125 starting bid.

Would any of the above three scenarios as structured cause you to pass on the auction completely? If so, why?

I'm interested in hearing all responses but most interested in hearing from anyone who is so turned off by a "high" reserve or a "high" starting bid that even though they'd pay more than the reserve or starting bid, either stop them from bidding.

Thanks for your input and I hope this was fun.

Chris L

CHRIS 2 ND 3 WILL MAKE me stop bidding. Because of reserve price. i have no idea how much it is and how much i have to bid.

Thanks Sham. I'm going to add a few more scenarios with no reserve but a high starting price. Thanks for your opinion.

Chris L

I use a sniper
I never bid if there is a reserve, period, never ever...
If the starting bid is what they expect to get, I don't bid either, I can buy on SRP and get better stuff...
IMHO any razor that has a starting price of $29.99 or more normally doesn't even get a snipe set, just because it pi$$es me off

I know I'm weird, but my money my bidding rules...

Chris, ebay did not have 'watched items' years ago. If you wanted to watch on item you could put in a token bid to have it in your "my ebay" for future reference. If an item is starting at a low bid ..... even if it has a reserve.... I would bid if I'm interested to keep an eye on it. I know that I am not committing so it is 'safe'.

If it has a high staring bid and a reserve I have to really be interested in the item to stay on it or be interested in what it will end at so I may watch it anyway. I sold a 1983 Gios Torino Super Record bicycle in mint condition a few years ago.

I had an opening bid of $2,000.00 and it ran for 7 days. There were 80 watchers. In the last four seconds one guy bid. He was from London. England. It was a hassle but I was glad I didn't go USA only. Point is watchers mean nothing.

Reserve or not a person bids $1.00, or ten or twenty and they feel safe from commitment . Meanwhile the item is in their sight all week long for them to look at and consider and if you're lucky obsess over. So I believe a low starter with a reserve is the best bet in the long run. YMMV. Nice Hess 44 BTW, theoretically speaking

in general I do not bid on anything that has preset starting price other than 0.99.
I would not bid on items with reserve as the others pointed out above, either.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I use a sniper
I never bid if there is a reserve, period, never ever...
If the starting bid is what they expect to get, I don't bid either, I can buy on SRP and get better stuff...
IMHO any razor that has a starting price of $29.99 or more normally doesn't even get a snipe set, just because it pi$$es me off

I know I'm weird, but my money my bidding rules...

I don't think I'm as "weird" as you are in this regard, Glen, but I lean toward your way of thinking. In part, I created this post because based on what many are saying is a spike in razor prices of late, we may be "old school" in how we look at razor auctions. At this stage, I have no desire to buy any vintage razor for hundreds of dollars. That's not the case obviously for some others. It seems to me that to those who are buying razors for higher dollars than in the past, high starting bids, etc don't mean jack are are not a psychological impediment to bidding. If that's the case, that may be an interesting trend as well.

Jimmy: you can rest completely assured, you will not see this Hess on the bay. It has a special place with me.

Chris L

Originally Posted by mainaman

in general I do not bid on anything that has preset starting price other than 0.99.
I would not bid on items with reserve as the others pointed out above, either.

Stefan:

Using the example in the OP and making a theoretical assumption that you'd want the Hess and you'd be willing to pay more than $100 or $125 for it, would that then hold true that you would not bid on it for the sole fact that it would have a reserve or a starting price? If so, why?

Chris L

I don't really care about all that stuff. I figure out how much I'm willing to spend (factoring in shipping) and figure out what my bid will be. I do think it is insane what some people charge for shipping, but when viewed as just part of the final pice, it doesn't really matter to me.

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Stefan:

Using the example in the OP and making a theoretical assumption that you'd want the Hess and you'd be willing to pay more than $100 or $125 for it, would that then hold true that you would not bid on it for the sole fact that it would have a reserve or a starting price? If so, why?

Chris L

Chris, if I really wanted the razor, I'd decide what my limit is and then bid until I reach it. If my limit is still not exceeding the reserve so be it, and I am gone from the auction. Now if I meet the reserve, then there are two options, try to snipe it for a few more bucks above my limit at the last second, or just walk away if the bids get too high before the end of the auction.