How to Price Items for Resale: Complete Guide 2025

Pricing is the #1 skill that separates profitable resellers from those who struggle. Get it wrong, and you either leave money on the table or items sit forever. Get it right, and you maximize profit while maintaining fast turnover.

The Biggest Pricing Mistake Resellers Make

New resellers make one critical error: they look at active listings instead of sold listings.

Here's why that's a problem: Active listings show what sellers HOPE to get. Sold listings show what buyers ACTUALLY pay. The difference can be massive.

If you price based on active listings, your items won't sell. This is why using real sold data is non-negotiable.

Step 1: Find Real Sold Data

eBay Sold Listings (Free Method)

1. Search for your item on eBay
2. Click "Advanced" search
3. Check "Sold listings" box
4. Sort by "Recently listed"
5. Look at the last 20-30 sales

Focus on sales from the last 30 days. Older sales may not reflect current market demand.

ResellIQ Price Intelligence (Automated Method)

Instead of manually checking sold listings for every item, ResellIQ automatically pulls real eBay sold data and gives you accurate pricing in seconds. This saves hours every week.

Step 2: The 70% Rule

Once you have sold data, use this formula as a starting point:

Why 70%?

• Accounts for your item's condition vs. perfect items
• Creates competitive pricing that sells fast
• Leaves room for offers and negotiation

Adjust Based on Condition

• New with tags: 85-95% of sold average
• Like new/Excellent: 70-80% of sold average
• Good condition: 50-65% of sold average
• Fair/Worn: 30-45% of sold average

Step 3: Account for Platform Fees

Don't forget fees eat into your profit! Here's what each platform takes:

Always factor in fees when calculating your profit margin. A $100 sale isn't $100 in your pocket.

Step 4: Price for Speed vs. Maximum Profit

Your pricing strategy depends on your goal:

Fast Turnover Strategy (Recommended for Most)

• Price at 60-70% of sold average
• Items sell within 1-2 weeks
• Quick cash flow = reinvest faster
• Best for high-volume resellers

Maximum Profit Strategy

• Price at 80-95% of sold average
• Items may take 1-3 months to sell
• Higher per-item profit
• Best for rare/vintage items

Step 5: Adjust Based on Market Demand

High Demand Items

If an item is selling multiple times per day:

• Price at 75-85% of sold average
• You can afford to wait for a better price
• Example: Trending sneakers, popular brands

Low Demand Items

If an item sells once every few weeks:

• Price aggressively at 55-65% of sold average
• Get your money out and move on
• Don't let dead inventory sit

Step 6: Monitor and Adjust

Pricing isn't "set it and forget it." Track your performance:

If Item Hasn't Sold in 2 Weeks:

1. Check recent sold listings again
2. Reduce price by 10-15%
3. Improve photos or description
4. Consider a different platform

If You Get Multiple Messages Immediately:

• You probably priced too low
• Don't panic - complete the sale
• Adjust pricing on similar future items

Common Pricing Mistakes to Avoid

1. Emotional Attachment

"I paid $200 for this!" doesn't matter. The market decides value, not your purchase price.

2. Ignoring Seasonality

Winter coats sell better in fall/winter. Bikinis sell better in spring/summer. Price accordingly.

3. Not Including Shipping

If offering free shipping, factor shipping cost into your price. Don't lose money on heavy items.

4. Copying Other Active Listings

Just because someone else listed it at $150 doesn't mean it'll sell at $150. Check sold data!

5. Pricing Everything the Same

Every item is different. Condition, demand, season, and rarity all matter. Customize pricing for each item.

Advanced Strategy: Dynamic Pricing

Professional resellers adjust prices based on real-time market changes:

• Monday-Thursday: Standard pricing
• Friday-Sunday: Increase prices 5-10% (more buyers shopping)
• End of month: Slight discounts to move inventory
• Holiday seasons: Premium pricing for gift items

Tools like ResellIQ can help automate this by showing trending price movements in real-time.

Real Example: Pricing a Supreme Box Logo Hoodie

The ResellIQ Advantage

Manually checking sold listings for every item takes hours. ResellIQ automates this entire process:

• ✅ Real eBay sold data (not active listings)
• ✅ Instant price recommendations
• ✅ 70-85% more accurate than competitors
• ✅ Trending price movements
• ✅ Platform fee calculations

What takes 5-10 minutes per item manually takes 5 seconds with ResellIQ.

Key Takeaways

1. Always use sold data, never active listings
2. Start with 70% of sold average for good condition items
3. Factor in platform fees before pricing
4. Prioritize turnover over maximum profit
5. Adjust prices if items don't sell in 2 weeks
6. Use tools to automate the research process

Pricing is a skill that improves with practice. Start with these guidelines, track your results, and refine your strategy over time.