April 2026 · 7 min read
Most new sellers price by gut feeling. That leads to either overpricing (nothing sells) or underpricing (selling at a loss after fees). Pricing is math, not guesswork.
Before pricing anything, you need three numbers: what you paid (COGS), what shipping will cost, and what the platform takes.
Example: bought a jacket for $8, shipping is $7, Poshmark takes 20%. If you list at $30, your profit is $30 − $6 (Poshmark fee) − $7 (shipping) − $8 (cost) = $9. That's a 30% margin — solid.
Start with your costs (COGS + shipping + fees) and add your desired profit on top.
List Price = (COGS + Shipping + Desired Profit) / (1 − Fee Rate)
For a $10 item with $5 shipping wanting $15 profit on eBay (13.6%): ($10 + $5 + $15) / (1 − 0.136) = $34.72.
Or just use FeePilot's reverse calculator to do the math automatically.
Search for what similar items sold for (not what they're listed at). On eBay, filter by "Sold Items." On Poshmark, check completed listings. Price within 10% of recent sold prices.
If your item is in better condition, price at the high end. If it has flaws, price at the low end or disclose and adjust.
Different platforms = different buyers = different willingness to pay. A vintage band tee might sell for $25 on Mercari but $40 on Depop (where vintage is premium).
Use FeePilot's comparison table to see where your take-home is highest AFTER fees.
Offering free shipping can increase sales but eats into your margin. If you offer free shipping, you need to price it INTO the item. A $30 item with $7 "free" shipping should be priced at $37 or more.
Read more in our free shipping guide.
If an item hasn't sold in 2–4 weeks, it's probably overpriced. Drop 10–15% and relist. On Poshmark, use the "Offer to Likers" feature. On eBay, use "Send Offers" or Best Offer. Stale inventory loses value over time.
Aim for at least 30% profit margin on every item. Below 30%, you're working hard for very little. Below 15%, you're basically donating your time.
Use FeePilot's margin indicator (green/yellow/red) as your guide — green means you're in the money, red means reconsider.
Stop guessing. Run your pricing through the calculator and know your margin before you list.
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