If you're not sure how much you should charge, or aren't sure of your item's value, you can use eBay's search function to help you find similar listings and decide on a price.
You can also see how much items like yours have sold for in the past by checking out completed listings. Here's how:
- Go to Advanced Search - opens in new window or tab.
- Enter keywords that describe your item.
- Choose Completed listings and select Search.
Choosing your listing format
How you price your item may also depend on how you decide to sell it – in an auction-style or a fixed price listing.
Pricing in an auction-style listing
- Buyers can compete for your item, so choosing a low starting price can help create more interest
- In certain categories you can add a reserve price. This is the lowest price you're willing to accept for the item, and can protect you from having to sell for less than you're comfortable with
- If you know the price you'd like to get for an item, but would still like to sell in an auction-style listing, you can add a Buy It Now price (an additional fee may apply)
Learn more about auctions.
Tip
The Buy It Now price on an auction-style listing has to be at least 40% higher than the starting price.
Pricing when using a fixed price or Buy It Now listing
- You choose the price you want for your listing. This is when searching for similar items on eBay is useful
- You can also choose to accept Best Offers, which means a buyer can make you an offer for your item and you can decide whether to accept
Learn more about Buy It Now.
Tip
For some fixed price and auction-style listings, we may add a Best Offer option. However, you don't have to accept offers made by buyers.
Unit pricing for business sellers
An EU Directive on consumer protection requires business sellers to indicate the price per unit of measurement (unit price) when selling certain goods to consumers. This means displaying the price of an item per kilogramme, litre, metre or other unit of measurement to make it easier for buyers to compare the prices of similar products.
In general, when goods are sold in bulk or when the item's price is based on its weight or volume, the unit price must be clearly displayed in the listing. Unit prices are not required for auction style listings, as their final price is unknown.
When listing, business sellers can provide the unit quantity (e.g. 8) and the unit of measurement (e.g. kilogrammes, metres) in the item specifics section. The unit price will then be calculated automatically based on these specifics and the Buy it now price, and displayed underneath the price of the item.
Certain types of goods require a particular unit of measurement to be used, so please review your local regulations or get independent legal advice if you have any doubts.