A few comments I'd like to make.
First, on whether this method somehow promotes flipping. Market price is determined by many factors, of which starting price is only one. If these boards sell high, and then someone lists theirs using this as a starting point, there is no guarantee that it sells. It will sell if someone values it at that price. Of course some units will still be sold and possibly some flipped, but at a minimum Zambumon has seen more of that realized profit than he would through usual means.
Second, on whether this is poses a threat to the designer's reputation or whether this is some kind of manipulative "sales tactic." The answer is no to both. From much of the conversation I've had in the last day about this idea, a significant majority understand the benefits of this method. It gives those who will buy high a way to do it while supporting the designer, and it allows the market to fairly decide the price of the boards sold. (This mechanism is quite literally *not* designed to maximize profit, but instead to find the market clearing price for goods.)
Artisans auction off keycaps regularly and receive little to no pushback, but there appears to be a sense of entitlement regarding customs that does not exist in the artisan market. Please consider that keyboard designers are equally deserving of benefiting from their work.
