In an auction with reserve, what can the seller do if bids are lower than expected?

In an auction with reserve, the seller retains the right to set a minimum price for the item being sold, which is not disclosed to the bidders. If the bids do not meet the seller's expectations or the reserve price, the seller can choose to withdraw the property from the auction before any bid is accepted. This mechanism allows the seller to protect their interests and ensure that they are not obligated to sell at a price that is lower than what they are willing to accept.

In a scenario where the bids do not reach the confidence level or the price point the seller has in mind, the option to withdraw maintains their agency in the auction process without binding them to any obligations towards bidders. Thus, this highlights the flexibility and control that sellers have in an auction with reserve compared to an auction without reserve, where the seller is required to sell to the highest bidder regardless of the bid amount.