GUIDE
Pricing items to resell: a reseller's method
Pricing items to resell is where reselling makes or loses money. List too high and it sits; too low and you worked for free. A few habits keep you in the middle.
Price from what sold, not what's listed
Asking prices tell you what people hope to get. Sold prices tell you what buyers paid. Look at recent sales of the same item in the same condition.
Match condition honestly
"Like new" and "used, works" sell at very different prices. Compare your item to sales in the same condition, and describe flaws plainly. Honest listings get fewer returns.
Know your real cost
Before you set a price, add up:
What you paid for it.
Marketplace fees.
Payment processing fees.
Shipping and packing supplies.
Your time to clean, photograph and list it.
The difference between the sale price and all of that is your profit.
Set a floor
Decide the lowest price you'll take before you list. When offers come in, you already know your answer, and you won't talk yourself into a loss.
Price to move or price to hold
Fast-moving, common items: price close to recent sales so they go quickly.
Rare items: you can wait for the right buyer, but check sold prices every few weeks.
Keep records
Note what you paid, what it sold for and your fees for each item. It shows you which finds are worth buying again, and it's the record you'll want at tax time.
Quick checklist
Recent sold prices, same condition.
All fees and shipping counted.
A floor price decided.
Flaws described in the listing.
Cost and sale recorded.
Flipline, one of our apps, helps you check sold prices and track what each item made.