Choosing your listing format
When it comes to pricing your item, you first need to choose how you want to sell it. You can create an auction-style listing or a fixed price listing.
Auction listings
You choose a starting price, and interested buyers place bids. When the auction ends, you sell to the highest bidder.
Auctions are most commonly used for rare, limited edition or high profile, high demand items. Be sure to start the auction at a minimum price you are willing to accept and buyers can bid upwards from there.
Fixed price listings
There is no bidding — buyers can use only the Buy It Now price to purchase your item. However you can also choose to add a Buy It Now option to your auction listings.
The Buy It Now option
is the simplest way to price an item on eBay and much more commonly used. Fixed-price listings are set to Good ’Til Canceled duration by default. This means the listing will be auto-renewed every 30 days until you end it or until the item sells.
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. It can protect you from selling 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 (additional fee may apply)
- For certain items, eBay may provide a price recommendation in the listing flow. These price ranges and recommendations are based on similar items recently sold (fees excluded)
Tip. The Buy It Now price on an auction-style listing must be at least 40% higher than the starting price.
Pricing when using a fixed price or a Buy It Now listing
- You choose the price you want for your listing. An eBay search for similar items is useful
- For certain items, eBay may provide a price recommendation in the listing flow. These price ranges and recommendations are based on similar items recently sold (fees excluded)
You can also choose to accept Best Offers, which means a buyer can make an offer for your item and you can decide whether to accept it.
Pricing tips
If you're not sure how much you should charge, or aren't sure of your item's value, you can find similar listings and decide on a price.
eBay's search function
In the search bar, enter the keywords that best describe your item.
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.
- Enter keywords that describe your item.
- Choose Completed listings and select Search.
Product Research
This tool provides powerful pricing guidance for your items. It is available for free to all eBay sellers from the Research tab in Seller Hub. In addition, for many categories you will see pricing insights directly within the listing flow to ensure you have the information you need to price your items effectively.
You can enter both keywords and UPC, EAN, ISBN codes and some other product identifiers into the search bar. Also you can choose the period for which the data will be shown.
eBay app image search
In the eBay app, you can use the image search tool. Just click on the camera icon in the search bar, snap a photo with your phone or upload an image, and you’ll automatically see all current matching listings. You can also scan your item barcode to instantly find what you are looking for.
General web search
Finally, you can do the general web search to see how your item is priced outside of eBay.
Free shipping
According to the eBay internal statistics, more than 70% of eBay transactions ship for free, because customers prefer the simplicity of an all-inclusive price. To offer free shipping without harming your interests, factor the shipping cost into your final listing price. If you don’t offer free shipping, keep the shipping cost in mind when pricing your item, as customers may be less willing to pay a higher price if they also have to pay for shipping.
Frequently asked questions
I have a pair of sneakers for sale. What listing format should I choose?
It depends on what kind of sneakers you want to sell and how much you want to make. If your sneakers for sale are a rare collectible model, consider creating an Auction listing. In a more average situation, you'll be fine with the Fixed Price format.
In either case, you can add the Buy It Now option to your listing.
If you're not sure how much you should charge, or aren't sure of your item's value, you can find similar listings and decide on a price.
How can I set the Buy It Now price for an auction-style listing?
It’s recommended that the Buy It Now price on an auction-style listing be at least 40% higher than the starting price.
What is a reserve price?
A reserve price is the lowest price you’re willing to sell an item for. By using a reserve price, you can set a low starting price for your auction — and boost interest in your item — without the risk of selling your item for less than you think it’s worth. If the reserve price isn't met, the item won't be sold.
Does eBay have special tools that can help me set a competitive price?
Yes, you can try to use Product research — an eBay tool offering market insights to help you determine what to sell, when, and at what price. Using real eBay data on supply, demand, and pricing trends, it helps you strategize effectively.
Available through the Seller Hub Research tab and mobile apps, all sellers can access these insights. Business sellers with a Basic Store subscription or higher also get Sourcing insights as part of their plan.
Can I use Product research on international eBay sites?
Yes, Product research helps you to research in other eBay domains and locations and enables you to make more informed decisions about which marketplaces you should promote your items on.
You might also be interested in
How to revise a listing
Have you found a mistake in the description? Perhaps, you want to lower the price or offer free shipping. You can usually make changes to your active listings, but there are some restrictions depending on what you want to change and when.
Adding Best Offer to listings
When you add the Best Offer option to your eBay listings, you are inviting buyers to negotiate the price with you. Learn how to use the Best Offer option and set up automatic responses.
Tips for shipping internationally
How to offer free shipping and other recommendations based on the study of buyer behavior and the best practices of successful sellers.