Pricing is where most second-hand sales are won or lost. Ask too much and your phone stays quiet for weeks. Ask too little and the item is gone in an hour, along with money you could have kept. The good news is that pricing well isn't guesswork. It takes about ten minutes and a bit of honesty about your item.
Step 1: Find out what it's really worth today
Search for the same item
Search Wujibaba for the same brand and model, and note what similar items are listed for. Look at several, not just one, and pay most attention to items in a similar condition to yours.
Check the new price
Find out what the item costs new in Ghana today, from a shop or a seller of new stock. A used item almost never sells for more than a new one, however good its condition.
Remember asking prices aren't selling prices
Listings show what sellers hope to get. Items often sell for a bit less after bargaining, so treat the typical asking price as a ceiling, not a target.
Step 2: Adjust for condition
Be honest about your item's condition, because buyers will be when they see it. As a rough rule of thumb (not a fixed formula), many sellers start from these points and adjust:
Brand new or unopened
Close to the shop price, minus a little because you're not offering a shop's warranty or receipt.
Like new
Used briefly, no marks, with the box or accessories. Often well above half the new price for items that hold value, like good furniture or branded electronics.
Used, good
Normal signs of use but everything works. Price below similar like-new listings.
Used, fair or for parts
Visible wear, missing parts or faults. Price for what the buyer will have to spend to fix or replace it, and say clearly what's wrong.
Step 3: Decide how fast you need to sell
If you're moving next week, price slightly below similar listings and you'll get calls the same day. If there's no rush and your item is in excellent condition or hard to find, you can price at the top of the range and wait for the right buyer. Just explain in the description why it's worth more: "barely used, original box and receipt" does a lot of work.
Step 4: Leave room to bargain
Bargaining is part of buying in Ghana, and most buyers will ask for "the last price". Set your listed price a little above the lowest you'd accept. That way you can come down and both of you leave happy. If you really won't move, say "price is fixed" in the description so nobody is surprised.
Common pricing mistakes
Pricing what you paid
Buyers don't care what it cost you three years ago. Price for today's market.
Ignoring the cost of collection
Big, heavy items like wardrobes and fridges cost the buyer money to move. Factor that in, or offer to help with transport.
Never revisiting the price
If a week passes with little interest, the market is telling you something. Lower the price a little and see what happens. You can edit your price any time from your dashboard.
Put it into practice
Ready to sell? List your item for free, and read our 10 tips for selling fast online in Ghana for help with photos, titles and closing the deal.