How do you price second-hand items?
Compare similar items, account for condition and missing accessories, and set a realistic asking price with a clear negotiation limit.
Start with prices for comparable items in your local market, then adjust for condition, age, included accessories and any repair costs. Choose an asking price you can explain and decide your minimum acceptable amount privately. Active listing prices are sellers’ requests, not proof of what buyers actually paid.
Compare like with like
Search for the same brand, model, size and specification. A phone with different storage or a sofa made from a different material may be a poor comparison. Look at several recent listings in your area and currency, rather than copying the most expensive example.
Record each comparable item’s asking price, condition and included extras. Exclude obvious outliers or listings that describe a different product. If reliable completed-sale prices are available, consider them separately from asking prices. When few comparable items exist, start with the closest alternatives and acknowledge the uncertainty.
Account for what the buyer receives
Reduce your expectations for damage, missing accessories or functions you cannot test. Consider a realistic replacement or repair quote, rather than assuming every fault is inexpensive. Include useful extras in your comparison, but do not expect buyers to reimburse their original retail price.
The amount you originally paid is background information, not a resale formula. Current alternatives, condition and local demand matter. A nearly new item may still need a lower price than a retailer offering returns or a warranty; describe any remaining warranty only when you can verify its terms and transferability.
Set a clear price, then review the response
Choose whether the price is firm or negotiable. If you are willing to negotiate, leave a reasonable gap above your private minimum without making the headline price misleading. State what is included and any collection requirements so an apparent bargain does not become a surprise cost.
If enquiries are scarce, first check that your photos, title and description explain the item accurately. Compare current alternatives again before lowering the price. Avoid treating views alone as evidence that a sale is imminent. Review serious offers against your minimum, timing and handover arrangements, and update the listing when its price or condition changes.
Read next
How do you photograph items for sale?
Take clear listing photos with natural light, useful angles and honest close-ups while keeping personal information out of the frame.
What should you check before buying a pre-owned phone?
Inspect a pre-owned phone’s condition, core functions, battery and account locks before agreeing to buy, with Apple’s official preowned iPhone guidance.