Is there a reserve price on very low priced items at auctions?

[4shades]

I m a bit confused as some expensive items start at a very low price. Is there a reserve hidden price by the seller?

 If there is only 1 bid do you have to sell?

Some time ago I was bidding on a cordless phone, but after I bid the price will automatically go up. Thats why I thought there must be a reserve price.

If there is, how can you do that so I can list my items.

Thanks 4 your time.

[putney32 · Accepted solution]

no, items on ebay australia do not have a Reserve price, (unless they are cars / boats /motorbikes)

what you are seeing with the price increasing is proxy bidding, where the bidder places a high bid, which will be used to up the auction price as others bid.

for example

starting price $5

I bid $22

the item stays at $5 (to me) until, say, you bid $16.. the auction will then automatically jump to $17 (still to me as my top proxy bid has not been reached).

always start yr auction at a price you will be happy to get if the auction only gets one bid.