Pricing is where most sellers either lose money or lose patience. Set a price too high and your item sits unseen for weeks; too low and you give away value you could have kept. The good news is that pricing used clothes isn't guesswork — it follows a few reliable principles. Here's a practical framework.
Start with the original retail price
Begin by recalling — or quickly looking up — what the item cost new. This is your anchor. As a rough rule of thumb:
- New with tags: 50–70% of retail.
- Excellent, barely worn: 40–55% of retail.
- Good, visible but minor wear: 25–40% of retail.
- Fair, well-used: 10–25% of retail.
These are starting points, not laws. Adjust them using the factors below.
Adjust for brand and demand
Brand matters enormously. Recognised and designer labels hold value far better than fast-fashion basics, so a premium coat might justify the top of its range while a high-street top sits at the bottom of its. Vintage and sought-after styles can even break the rules entirely — if buyers actively hunt for something, scarcity drives the price up rather than down.
Factor in condition honestly
Be realistic about wear. Pilling, fading, small marks and stretched seams all lower what a buyer will pay. Pricing honestly for condition — and showing that condition clearly in your photos — leads to faster sales and fewer disputes than inflating the price and hoping no one notices.
Check what similar items are selling for
The fastest way to sanity-check your price is to see what comparable items list for. Search the same brand, category and condition, and look at the range. Aim to sit competitively within it — being slightly below similar listings is often what tips a hesitant buyer into buying from you.
Starting price and Buy Now on Rūbas
On Rūbas, every listing is an auction, so pricing works a little differently — and in your favour. Set a low starting price to attract bidders; competition often pushes the final price to its true market level, sometimes beyond what you'd have dared to ask — especially for rare, vintage or designer pieces. If you'd also like to offer instant purchase, add an optional Buy Now price — set it at the figure you'd be happy to sell for straight away. Use the framework above to choose both: a tempting starting price to draw interest, and a Buy Now price that reflects the item's real value.
Let bidding do the work
On an auction you don't need to haggle — a low, tempting starting price invites bids, and buyers competing is what lifts the price. Set the lowest number you'd genuinely be happy to see as your starting price, and let the auction find the ceiling.
Don't be afraid to adjust
Pricing isn't permanent. If an item gets plenty of views but no bidders, the price is usually the issue — try a modest reduction. If it sells instantly, you may have set the starting price a little low and can be bolder next time. Treat your first listings as market research; you'll calibrate quickly.
A simple pricing checklist
Before you publish, ask:
- Do I know the original retail price?
- Have I matched the percentage to the condition?
- Did I adjust for brand and demand?
- Have I checked comparable listings?
- Have I set a tempting starting price?
Run through those five points and you'll price with confidence rather than guesswork — fast enough to sell, high enough to be worth it.
Ready to put a price on it? List your items on Rūbas and find out what buyers will pay.