Is no reserve really the truth?


Isn't an auction with no reserve but with a minimum bid kind of misleading? A current auction here states that a Wadia 850 CD player is being auctioned off starting at $1 with no reserve. When you go to this auction you find that there is a minimum bid of $2960. Is this not for all intents and purposes a reserve or just plain old false advertising?
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Showing 2 responses by fpeel

Interesting observation, sdcampbell, as I am confident that happened to me at least once before. Unfortunately, I didn't keep a copy of the Web page, so am unable to substantiate it. As it turned out, lucky for me someone else won the auction in question because the dealer that placed it turned out to be a jerk whom, based on our correspedance, would not have appreciated my business. Thanks for the heads up; I'll be watching more closely. As for reserves, minimums, etc. my belief is they should all be disclosed. Like agendas they serve no good purpose when hidden except to deceive.
My thanks to the Audiogon staff for responding as well. Your interest and support are what allow this site to remain the premiere audio market on the Internet and it is appreciated. OTOH, I agree with Sdcampbell that hidden reserves serve no positive purpose. I do not buy from Ebay because there's too much opportunity for manipulation and deceit. Full disclosure of the particulars of a business deal is always better for everyone involved. With holding information (i.e., secret reserves) benefit no one but those looking for angles to work. Thanks for advising sellers of their downside. It's certainly a step in the right direction.