Set a reserve or just start listing at a higher price?

[Bannakaffalatta]

We are selling a large antique oak desk. Having studied similar items I think we could get 200-250 pounds for it.

I know I'd be annoyed to let it go for less than 150 pounds. So just I start bidding at 150 or start at 99p with a reserve of 150 pounds?

I think the latter would perhaps attract more watchers but the reserve listings annoy me.

Obviously it's a large heavy collection only item so there may not be that much interest.

Should I start bidding not just I start bidding!

Id start at the auction at your minimum 150 you should then get serious bidding and you might get frustrated seeing it sat there at 15 all week

I'd set it with a reserve, a starting price that high would put me off not that I'm the sort to buy an antique oak desk!

If you've got a while before you need it gone you could always relist a few times before trying it with a higher starting price?

I'd start at my minimum, always.
One good trick with the promotions they've had recently can do this for free, put it on Buy It Now for 30 days at the maximum-would-be-absurd price you hope to get. After 5 days start reducing the price every few days, with an aim to reach your true minimum by day 27 or so.

start at £150 and wait for free listing. Don't start too low or at the wrong time of day.

And if they collect or arrange own courier cash only - never ever paypal.

Thanks all I'm going to go for the majority opinion which seems to be just start at 150.

If you wait until 13th May you can list for free.

The other problem with reserves is that ppl just keep messaging you to ask what your reserve is or whether you'll sell for X instead off Ebay (where X is something stupid you would never consider). And what's the point of a reserve if anyone can just message you to ask what it is. If you start at your true minimum that knocks a bit off the hassle of pointless messages.

You could start at £250 with a Buy It Now or Best Offer (wait until suitable free listings day or 14th May when things change.) You can set it to automatically reject any offers under £150, then consider the rest "manually".

I hate reserves. If I see an item with a reserve I instantly loose interest and wouldn't bid unless I was desperate for it. I would start bidding at £150