I would enjoy clarification on the difference between ridiculous and comical numbers
I'd say your chosen quotes do it nicely:
"double your number, but do not ask for a gazillion dollars"
If I want to sell my house for 125k, I'd say 250k, but not a million. With current market, it's ridiculous to think I can sell it for more than 200. Saying 250 can annoy the buyer. But if I say a million the buyer will laugh.
As why would the 'seller' even show up to hear bids of zero
There are circumstances where the price is actually zero, just under other name.
I'd say your chosen quotes do it nicely:
"double your number, but do not ask for a gazillion dollars"
If I want to sell my house for 125k, I'd say 250k, but not a million. With current market, it's ridiculous to think I can sell it for more than 200. Saying 250 can annoy the buyer. But if I say a million the buyer will laugh.
As why would the 'seller' even show up to hear bids of zero
There are circumstances where the price is actually zero, just under other name.