<p>Today on CV I saw an OP with a reputation of 6 points offer a 100 point bounty.  The problem wasn't even difficult. It was a self study question and one person gave an answer of useful hints.  By giving a 100 point bounty, it seems like the OP is trying to force a complete answer.  </p>

<p>Since he put up the bounty it will draw more answers but the way the bounty system works is that if nobody gets the bounty within 7 days it goes unclaimed.  The OP could post the bounty with no intention to award it.  Yet he gets the benefit of activity and possibly the complete answer that he is not entitled to under the rules of the community.</p>

<p>What happens if the OP chooses to pay the bounty?  Does he wind up with negative reputation? </p>
