Adam. in my opinion, any "Auction" with a Reserve price is not an Auction. If they are going to play that way, the reserve price should be listed up front so folks don't waste their time as you have found out firsthand.

I normally email the seller and ask what their "reserve" price is some will respond some ignore my question. I also have a price that I am willing to pay and I put that in as my bid if it does not meet their "reserve price" I move on. I think they should just list the reserve price as the opening bid and be done with it (like some sellers do )

adam, Point of auction is to make money and liquidate inventory. Also to have a platform for individuals to sell firearms. The less then reserve notice on the $500 was because that was high bid. Then your $510 bid turned into a "proxy bid" that nobody bid over so your $500 stood and did not meet reserve. Reserve will be close to the "Buy it Now" price.