What is a key characteristic of a reserve auction?

In a reserve auction, a key characteristic is that every item has a minimum price requirement, known as the reserve price. This means that the seller sets a minimum amount they are willing to accept for the item being auctioned. If bidding does not reach this reserve price, the item will not be sold. This ensures that the seller has control over the minimum outcome of the auction, providing a safety net against underselling their property.

Other options may describe aspects of auctions in general but do not pertain specifically to reserve auctions. For instance, stating that items can be sold for any price does not align with the defined structure of a reserve auction, where the reserve price establishes a baseline. Registration fees can be a feature of certain auction formats, but they are not a defining characteristic of reserve auctions specifically. Lastly, the notion that items are sold without seller consent inaccurately reflects auction principles, as consent and approval from the seller are integral to the auction process.