[dad911]

When I was selling on ebay, I typically set the starting price very low, with no reserve. Low start sucks in more bidders, and the items always went up to what the market would bear.

As to bidding, I bid my price. If it is below reserve, or someone out bids me, no sweat, it didn't cost me a dime.

As to non-eBay auctions, I wouldn't waste my time at an auction if I didn't know, or had a feeling it wouldn't make reserve. Very often, the auction establishes a price, and a deal is cut after the auction anway, if there is a serious buyer.