How to Price an Item to Sell on eBay

The eBay Web site is a Mecca for bargain hunters, virtual garage salespeople and just about anybody else trying to buy or sell their goods. However, just like any market, eBay is competitive. To succeed in eBay selling, you must make the right choices when you price and describe your item.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet access
• Computer

1. Create an eBay seller's account. You will not be able to sell any items if you do not have a seller's account.

2. Look at items similar to yours. See how other sellers are pricing items that are similar or identical to yours and set your price close to their prices to be competitive.

3. Consider the condition of your item. If you sell a hardcover book that is worn for the same price as a new one, your buyer will likely give you a poor rating.

4. Check the market value. See what retailers are selling your item for in stores and on other Web sites.

5. For fixed-price items, set a price that meets your lowest expectation. This will maximize the probability of a sale without compromising your expectations.

6. For auction-type sales, start the bidding at the lowest price you'd be willing to accept for the item. This can be lower than the price you'd use for a fixed-price item, under the assumption that bids will push it up.

Tips & Warnings

• One opportunity to set the price of your item above market value is when the item for sale is unattainable anywhere but on eBay. Sold-out toys, rare vehicles and other high-demand items can be sold for a great deal more than their original retail price quite easily.
• If a bidder wins the auction, but you are not able to collect the funds from them, eBay provides the Second Chance Offer that defaults to the next highest bidder.
• If you have an item over $15,000, both parties involved require verification either through their credit card numbers or through an online ID verification service.