We’ve been looking on-line at used vans. There are several at eBay we’ve been considering. They usually have a reserve price (an undisclosed amount that the seller will not sell for less) and a “Buy It Now” price if you’d rather just close the deal right now at their suggested price.

There is one van for $11,900 Buy It Now. The vehicle is a 2003 model, but it’s going for pretty cheap because it has a few dents. And this is fine with me, because the other vans are all 2005 models and like new, but cost $20,000. So, I see huge savings in getting this particular van and don’t really care about the dents.

So, the sale ends today. Last night we bid $10,160 on it. If you don’t know, eBay will put you at highest bidder with the lowest price possible and automatically raise your bid for you to your maximum. We became highest bidder at $8500 but the reserve had not been met. Today, we were outbid by a bid of $10,200 which still did not meet the reserve. So what’s the reserve? $11,800? hello? what’s the point of even offering anything for bid?