Secondhand Selling Guide
How much is it worth? The ultimate guide to valuing secondhand items
The keyword “how much is it worth” is searched more than 110,000 times every month. If you are one of those searchers, this guide will show you how to find a fair price for almost anything you own — and how to do it in seconds with AI.
Why “how much is it worth?” is so hard to answer
An item’s value is not what you paid for it. It is what a buyer is willing to pay today. That number changes with condition, brand demand, seasonality, fees, shipping costs, and even the platform you choose. A PlayStation 5 might sell for €350 on eBay, €320 on Facebook Marketplace, and €280 with trade-in credit. The same handbag can double in price on Vinted if it is trending.
The manual method: how to value your item in 5 steps
- Identify the exact item. Look for model numbers, serial numbers, labels, or tags. “iPhone 13 128GB Blue” is worth a very different amount than “iPhone 13 Pro 256GB Sierra Blue.”
- Check sold listings, not active listings.On eBay, filter by “Sold items” and “Completed items.” Active listings only show what sellers hope to get. Sold listings show what buyers actually paid.
- Adjust for condition. Compare your item honestly to the sold ones. Mint-in-box usually sells for 80–100% of recent sold prices. Good condition is closer to 50–75%. Heavy wear or missing parts can drop value below 30%.
- Subtract fees and shipping. eBay takes roughly 13% in most categories. Vinted charges a small buyer-protection fee. Amazon and PayPal add their own cuts. If you offer free shipping, add that cost to your net calculation.
- Pick the right marketplace.Electronics move fast on eBay and Back Market. Clothing and accessories thrive on Vinted and Depop. Local bulky items often sell quickest on Facebook Marketplace, where there are no shipping headaches.
Where to find comparable sold prices
- eBay sold listings — the largest public price archive for general goods.
- Terapeak (inside eBay Seller Hub) — deeper sold-data analytics for sellers.
- PriceCharting — best for video games, consoles, and trading cards.
- WorthPoint — strong for antiques, collectibles, and art.
- Google Lens — useful for a quick visual match, but always cross-check sold prices.
Common mistakes that kill your price estimate
Don’t use retail price. A €1,200 retail guitar does not mean a used one is worth €900. Buyers compare to the used market.
Don’t ignore fees. A €100 sale on eBay can leave you with €86 after fees. Always estimate net profit.
Don’t trust one listing. One overpriced or underpriced sale is not the market. Average at least 5–10 recent sold results.
Don’t forget seasonality. Ski gear sells for more in November. Garden tools sell faster in March. Timing matters.
How SellSmart AI speeds this up
SellSmart AI does the research for you. Snap a photo (or up to 10 photos), optionally add a barcode or short description, and the AI identifies the item, grades condition, checks marketplace signals, and returns:
- A fair estimated value range.
- The best marketplace for this specific item.
- Fee, shipping, and tax estimates for each platform.
- Your estimated net profit after costs.
- A ready-to-use title and description for your listing.
What used to take 30–60 minutes of tab-switching now takes under a minute. You still control the final listing price, but you start with data instead of guesswork.
When to sell vs. when to hold
If your item is trending up — limited sneakers, discontinued tech, vintage fashion — waiting can increase value. If it is depreciating fast — last year’s smartphone, mass-market clothing — list it now. SellSmart AI’s recommendation weighs current demand so you can decide quickly.
Try it on something you own
The fastest way to understand your item’s value is to scan it. Your first scan is free.
Last updated 2026-07-21. Have a question? Contact support.