How eBay Sold Comps Work — and Why Active Listings Can Mislead You
By The Garage Sail team··2 min read
What a sold comp is
A recent completed transaction on eBay for an item close to yours. Recent means 30–90 days. Close means same brand, model, size, and comparable condition. The sold price is what a real buyer paid.
Why active listings mislead
Active listings show what sellers hope for. Two identical items can sit at $80 and $180 forever; sold history might show every completed sale between $95 and $115.
How to read the sold list
- Use eBay's advanced search with Sold listings checked.
- Filter by condition and item specifics to match yours.
- Ignore outliers — very high are two-bidder auctions; very low are damaged or bundled.
- Take the middle 60% of remaining sold prices as your realistic band.
How to price from that band
- Quick sale: bottom of the middle 60%.
- Fair: median of the middle 60%.
- Max profit: top, accepting a longer time to sale.
Sources
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