Metallica,
He won't be bidding on his own inventory.
If he does then he will have to pay ebay their commision since it appears sold.
They start low to get attention and watch it get bid up.
Most have a reserve that protects them from a loss.
The high freight is for their profit since they don't pay commision on that.
They can then sell the product for cost and make $15 on the freight.
I've known brick and mortars to do this just to get their volume up with suppliers.
Then at the end of the year they get a volume discount refund from the supplier.
Lots of games played on ebay.
Just make sure you add in the freight and sales tax when doing price comparing.
Then factor in the risk involved in dealing with an unknown seller versus a known seller.
Good Luck,
KW_Counter