Selling with a reserve price
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If you don't want to sell your item below a certain price, you can create an auction-style listing and a set a reserve price. The amount of your reserve price isn't shown to your bidders, but they will see that your listing has a reserve. If you don't receive a bid for at least the amount of your reserve, you aren't obliged to sell your item. Once the reserve price has been met, the reserve price is no longer displayed, and you're obligated to sell your item to the winning bidder.
Why have a reserve price?
Many sellers have found having a low starting price encourages people to bid, but they want to protect themselves from selling an item for too little. This is when a reserve price is useful.
For example, say you want to sell an item for at least $100, but you're worried that a starting bid price of $100 will discourage potential bidders from bidding. If you use a reserve price, you can list the item for sale with a starting price of $.99, $5, $10, or any amount below the amount of your reserve price. You can then enter a reserve amount of $100. Bidding will start at the lower price, but you won't be obliged to sell the item unless the bidding reaches at least $100—your reserve price.
How it works
Until the bidding reaches your reserve price, the listing will display Reserve not met under the current bid. You aren't obliged to sell to the highest bidder until the reserve is met.
eBay will never reveal your reserve price to potential bidders. But sellers often receive inquiries from bidders about the reserve price. This is allowed on eBay. Likewise, revealing your reserve to a bidder is allowed, but not required. If you don't want to reveal your reserve price, you can politely let the bidder know that they can bid what they like and if the bidding meets the reserve price the item will be sold.
A few things to remember about reserve prices:
The reserve price option is only available for auction-style listings. It's not available for fixed price or classified ad listings.
Creating a listing with a reserve price
To add a reserve price when you create a listing:
When you list your item, find the section of the page called Choose how you'd like to sell your item.
Click the Online Auction tab.
Click the Change link next to No reserve price set for this item.
Enter your reserve price and click the Save button.
If you don't see the reserve price option, follow these steps:Click the Add or remove options link next to Choose how you'd like to sell your item.
In the window that appears, select Reserve price, and then click the Save button.
Click the Change link next to No Reserve price set for this item.
Enter the reserve price in the window that appears, and then click the Save button.
Adding a reserve price to an existing listing
You can add a reserve price to your listing as long as it hasn't received any bids yet and there are at least 12 hours left in the listing.
To add a reserve price your listing:Click My eBay at the top of most eBay pages. You may be asked to sign in.
Click the All Selling link on the left side of the page.
Note: Selling Manager and Selling Manager Pro subscribers: Use the Active view.
In the row for the item you want to change, from the Actions drop-down menu, select Revise.
Find the section of the page called Choose how you'd like to sell your item.
Click the Change link next to No reserve price set for this item.
Enter your reserve price and click the Save button.
Click the Continue button at the bottom of the page.
Click the Submit revisions button at the bottom of the next page.
Note: If you add a reserve price to your item, you'll be charged a reserve price fee.
