TL;DR
Price against recent sold comps, not hope. Leave a little negotiation room, use clean round numbers, and only use free or OBO when it fits your goal.
The price field is a filter and a first impression at once. Buyers sort and filter by price, and they judge whether you are reasonable the instant they see the number. Setting it well starts with what similar items actually sold for, not what you wish yours was worth.
Set the number from comps
- Search recent sold or completed listings for the same item.
- Note the realistic range those items actually moved at.
- Price near the top of that range if you can wait, lower to sell fast.
- Leave a small cushion so you can come down and still hit your target.
- Use clean round numbers that read well and sort into buyer filters.
Buyers on Marketplace expect to negotiate, so many sellers list a bit above their floor. Set the price so a typical offer still lands where you are happy. If you list at your rock-bottom number, the negotiation pushes you below it.
OBO, free, and firm
"OBO" invites offers and can speed a sale but attracts lowballs. "Firm" signals you will not budge, which cuts haggling but may slow things down. "Free" moves an item instantly when your goal is space, not money. Pick the tag that matches your actual goal for that item.
If an item sits with views but no offers, the price is usually the issue. Nudge it down a bit toward the middle of your comp range and watch whether messages pick up over the next few days.
Common questions
How do I decide what to price an item at?
Check recent sold or completed comps for the same item, note the realistic range, and price within it. Base the number on what similar items actually moved at, not on what you paid or what it retails for.
Should I leave room to negotiate?
Usually yes. Many buyers expect to make an offer, so list a bit above your floor so a typical offer still lands where you are happy. Listing at your rock-bottom number gets you pushed below it.
What does OBO mean and should I use it?
OBO means or best offer. It invites offers and can speed a sale but attracts lowballs. Use it when you want to move an item and are open to negotiation, and skip it when you want to hold firm.
Do round numbers matter?
They help. Clean round numbers read well and sort neatly into the price filters buyers use. Odd prices can fall outside common filter brackets and look fussy without adding any real benefit.
When should I list something as free?
When your goal is space, not money, and the item is hard to sell or low value. Free moves things almost instantly. Just expect a flood of messages and a few no-shows when you use it.
My item has views but no offers - what now?
The price is usually the reason. Nudge it toward the middle of your comp range and watch messages over the next few days. Also confirm the photos and title are not the bottleneck first.
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