What is a reserve auction?

A reserve auction is characterized by the seller setting a minimum price, known as the reserve price, that must be met for the item to be sold. This means that even if bidding begins, the item will not be sold unless bids reach or exceed this predetermined minimum amount. The purpose of a reserve price is to protect the seller from selling the item for less than they are willing to accept.

In contrast to a no-reserve auction, where the item will go to the highest bidder regardless of the bid amount, a reserve auction provides a safety net for sellers, ensuring they do not have to part with their item at an undesirably low price. This is common practice in situations where the seller has a specific value in mind for their property.

The other scenarios presented do not reflect the characteristics of a reserve auction. Thus, understanding how a reserve auction functions is essential for both sellers and bidders in the auction process.