What characterizes a reserve auction?

A reserve auction is characterized by the seller setting a minimum price, known as the reserve price, which must be met for the item to be sold. This means that if the highest bid does not reach this set minimum, the seller is not obligated to sell the item. The reserve price acts as a safety net for the seller, ensuring that they do not sell the item for less than their acceptable amount.

In contrast, other types of auctions may allow items to be sold at any price regardless of the seller's opinions, might limit the number of bids on an item, or require that all items must sell no matter what the final price is. However, these characteristics do not apply to a reserve auction, which specifically uses the concept of a minimum price to protect the seller's interests.