Live selling glossary / Show mechanics
Reserve price
Definition
A reserve price is a hidden minimum a seller sets on an auction; if bidding does not reach it the item does not sell. Many live platforms do not offer reserves, so hosts protect value with a higher starting bid instead.
Whatnot auctions run without reserves: the starting bid is the floor. eBay's standard listings support reserves but live auctions mostly do not. In practice the live seller's reserve is the decision to put an item up at all.
Related terms
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