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Run My First Scan No credit card · No Facebook passwordResearch Before You Price
Never guess at pricing. Always research what similar items have actually sold for—not what they're listed at.
How to research sold prices:
- eBay: Filter by "Sold Items" to see actual sale prices
- Mercari: Check the "Sold" tab on similar listings
- Poshmark: Look at "Sold Listings" in search results
- Google: Search "[item name] sold price" for cross-platform data
What to look for:
- Average selling price across multiple sales
- Price range (high and low)
- How long items typically take to sell
- Condition impact on price
- Seasonal pricing variations
Pricing Formulas That Work
The 3x Rule (Minimum): Your selling price should be at least 3x your cost to account for fees, shipping, and profit. Example: $10 cost → $30 minimum selling price.
ROI-Based Pricing: Calculate your desired Return on Investment. Most resellers aim for 50-100% ROI minimum. Formula: Selling Price = Cost × (1 + Desired ROI%) + Fees + Shipping
Market-Based Pricing: Price based on current market conditions:
- Below average: Fast sale, lower profit
- At average: Normal sale speed, normal profit
- Above average: Slower sale, higher profit (works for rare items)
Time Value Pricing: Factor in how long you're willing to hold inventory. Quick-flip items can have lower margins; long-term holds should have higher margins.
Competitive Pricing Tactics
Price Anchoring: List slightly higher than your target price, then offer "reduced" pricing through offers or sales.
Odd Pricing: $47 feels significantly cheaper than $50 psychologically. Use .99 or .97 endings.
Bundle Pricing: Combine slow-moving items with popular ones. Buyers love perceived value.
Seasonal Awareness:
- Winter coats sell best Sept-Dec
- Fitness items peak in January
- School supplies in August
- Holiday items 1-2 months before the holiday
When to Lower Prices:
- After 30 days with no interest
- When market prices drop
- To free up capital for better inventory
- Seasonal items approaching off-season
Factor In Platform Fees
Every platform takes a cut. Here's what you're actually keeping:
| Platform | Fee | You Keep |
|---|---|---|
| eBay | 13.25% + $0.30 | ~86% |
| Mercari | 10% + 2.9% + $0.50 | ~87% |
| Poshmark | 20% flat | 80% |
| FB Marketplace | 0% (local) / 5% (shipped) | 95-100% |
| Depop | 10% + payment fees | ~87% |
Always calculate your net profit: Net Profit = Sale Price - Platform Fees - Shipping Cost - Item Cost - Supplies
Use our free [Platform Comparison Calculator](/tools/platform-comparison-calculator) to find the best platform for each item.
When to Hold vs. Sell Fast
Hold for higher prices when:
- Item is rare or hard to find
- Seasonal peak is approaching
- Market prices are trending up
- You have storage space and low carrying costs
- Item appreciates over time (collectibles)
Sell fast when:
- Item is common and easily replaced
- Market is saturated with similar listings
- Seasonal window is closing
- You need capital for better inventory
- Item depreciates (electronics, fashion trends)
The 80/20 Rule: 80% of your profit often comes from 20% of your items. Identify your winners and source more of those.
Key Takeaways
- Always research sold prices, not listed prices, before pricing
- Use the 3x minimum rule to ensure profitability
- Factor in all costs: platform fees, shipping, supplies, and time
- Price strategically based on item rarity and market conditions
- Know when to hold for profit vs. sell fast to free up capital
Test the workflow on your own market
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