Hi BriaN,
On Ebay, a minimum bid and a reserve are separate. One can have or not have a reserve but there is always a minimum bid.
A minimum bid is the least amount that you can bid.
A reserve is an amount higher than the minimum bid that is the least the seller will accept.
For example, a seller may list an item with a minimum bid of $10 but have a reserve of $100. People can bid many times but the auction is only successful if the high bid is over $100.
Some sellers feel that they can use a low minimum bid with a reserve to generate activity but still protect the price that they wish to get.
There has been quite a bit of controversy on Ebay about reserves. Ebay has been concerned about sellers putting high reserves on items and then when the bidding does not reach the reserve, the seller privately selling the item to the high bidder, thus beating Ebay out of any payments.
Some sellers do not use reserves.
I hope this helps.
Thanks--Alan.