Find genuinely comparable items

Match model, size, edition, included accessories and condition. Look for completed sales where available and check whether the final accepted price is actually visible. Separate bundles, damaged examples and unusually rare variations. Record the date and channel because markets change.

Account for the full buyer cost

A low item price with high shipping is not directly comparable to a shipping-included listing. Consider taxes, shipping and return terms when thinking about customer choices. Do not assume a seller's fee structure matches yours or use someone else's claimed profit as your own estimate.

Choose a range and a floor

Use a realistic range of comparable outcomes rather than an isolated outlier. Calculate the price required to cover your costs and your own target margin. That floor is a planning constraint; it does not make an item worth that amount. Sometimes the correct decision is not to buy.

Revisit stale listings

If an item does not sell, first review accuracy, photos, category and price. Decide whether to lower the price, change the channel or stop tying up space. Include the cost of returns and unsold inventory in your broader records. A successful sale of one item is not a forecast for a category.

Before you act

  • Write down the assumptions that would change this decision.
  • Confirm current requirements with the relevant official source or a qualified professional.
  • Keep sensitive documents out of public links and unknown forms.

Primary sources & further reading

Editorial review: November 2026. Sources are background guidance, not endorsements of this site. Check current local requirements.