: Jeff Stein said:

: Maybe the idea is to avoid using a reserve (for which there is a
: fee), and even avoid dealing with bidders (assuming that there
: will be none). The eBay listing becomes some inexpensive
: advertising and the item is sold in a side-deal.

Jeff,

This using eBay as inexpensive advertising has been common in the pocket watch world for a long time. One of the largest pocket watch dealers in the US has a listing to sales ratio over the last many years which can lead to no other conclusion. They list for ridiculous prices until someone calls them with an offer they will take and they sell the watch off eBay.

JohnCote