I don't bid on auctions with a reserve price 
because I feel that a collectible is only worth 
what someone is willing to pay and if you can't 
get "eBay prices" on eBay, then chances are you 
won't get it elsewhere. If there's a minimum 
price that you're set on getting for the item, 
then let that be your starting price. If you get 
that, then that's good. If you get more, then 
that's better. If there are no takers, then 
chances are that it's overpriced.

I do like the "buy it now" option only if the 
price is reasonable. By reasonable, I mean that 
if I saw that item with that price on a dealer's 
site, would I be likely to buy it? If so, then I 
would use it, if not, then I make a bid.