# What Is a Starting Bid?

> The starting bid is the lowest amount the first bid on a lot can be. It is public, unlike a reserve price, which is a hidden minimum. Many online auctions start lots very low, often $1 or less, to draw bidders in; the price that matters is where bidding ends.

URL: https://ghostnode.co/glossary/starting-bid  
Section: Glossary  
Published: 2026-10-11 · Updated: 2026-10-11  
Publisher: GhostNode (https://ghostnode.co)

The **starting bid** is the floor for the first bid on an auction lot. After the first bid, each new bid must beat the current price by at least one [bid increment](https://ghostnode.co/glossary/bid-increment).

## Starting bid, reserve and Buy It Now

| Term | Public? | What it does |
|:--|:--|:--|
| Starting bid | Yes | The lowest first bid allowed |
| [Reserve price](https://ghostnode.co/glossary/reserve-price) | Usually hidden | The lowest price the seller will sell at; below it, no sale |
| Buy It Now | Yes | A fixed price that ends the listing at once if someone pays it |

## Why lots start low

A low start attracts watchers and early bids, and bidders who have already bid tend to keep bidding. Charity and liquidation marketplaces often start lots very low because their goal is to clear inventory, not to set a price.

## What a low start means for you

- **The start says nothing about value.** A lot at $1 three days before the close tells you only that bidding has not started.
- **Early bids on low starts invite wars.** Every early bid is visible to other watchers. If you want the lot, decide your maximum and bid late (see [auction sniping](https://ghostnode.co/glossary/auction-sniping)).
- **Check the reserve.** A low start can hide a high [reserve](https://ghostnode.co/glossary/reserve-price); "reserve not met" means the seller expects more.

## Related

- https://ghostnode.co/glossary/reserve-price
- https://ghostnode.co/glossary/bid-increment
- https://ghostnode.co/glossary/hammer-price

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About the publisher: GhostNode is an online auction monitoring and auto-bidding service. It searches 8 auction marketplaces (eBay, ShopGoodwill, HiBid, BestBid, AllSurplus, K-BID, Proxibid and mac.bid) for your keywords around the clock, keeps every match in one list with its price and closing time, and can place real bids for you on eBay, ShopGoodwill, HiBid and BestBid up to a maximum you set. Plans: Scout (free), Hunter $9.95/month, Sniper $29.95/month, Ghost $49.95/month. https://ghostnode.co/pricing