Guides

How do I price second-hand items correctly?

swissmax editorial team November 9, 2026

To price a second-hand item well, work in three steps: first check what comparable items cost in current listings, then grade the condition honestly, and finally work back from today’s new price. As a rule of thumb, electronics lose value quickly, furniture often fetches 20–40% of the new price, and branded bikes and good tools hold their value noticeably better.

Key points

What counts is what buyers pay today for something comparable, not what you paid back then.
Grade the condition honestly (new, like new, good, used, faulty) and mention any defects in the listing.
With “Negotiable”, allow a margin of typically 10–15%, not more.
A clear price usually brings more serious enquiries than “On Request”.
Bulky items of little value are often better given away than disposed of.
Where there are enough similar listings, the swissmax price check shows the usual price range of the last six months.

Step by step to the right price

Find the new price: what does the same item, or its successor, cost new in Switzerland today? That is your ceiling, not what you originally paid.
Look for comparable listings: search for the brand and model in the right category. Check the exact version (storage, size, specification), age and condition. Listed prices are asking prices; items often sell for a little less.
Check condition and accessories: original packaging, charger, manual, receipt or warranty card make an item more attractive and more credible.
Choose the price type: Fixed Price, Negotiable, Free or On Request.
Adjust after a week: hardly any enquiries? The price is probably too high. Lower it in small steps of around 5–10%.

Rules of thumb by category

Guide values for items in good condition on the Swiss second-hand market; brand, demand and season can shift them considerably.

Electronics (Phones & Tablets, Computers & Laptops): value drops fast, especially once a successor model is out. A one-year-old phone often sells for 40–70% of the new price depending on the brand, and after three years frequently for only 15–35%. What buyers check is covered in the guide Checking a used phone.
Furniture (Furniture): usually 20–40% of the new price, less for inexpensive flat-pack pieces. Solid wood and design classics resell better. Give the dimensions and say if it needs dismantling.
Bikes and e-bikes (Cycling & E-Bikes): branded bikes are in demand; after two or three years, 40–60% of the new price is often realistic if the bike has been serviced. For e-bikes, the battery’s age and condition matter a lot.
Tools (Tools): professional brands in good condition often reach 50–70% of the new price, particularly when complete with battery, charger and case.
Children’s items (Strollers): a branded pushchair often sells for 30–50%, children’s clothes usually for only 10–30%. Bundles by size sell better than single pieces.
Seasonal items: skis sell best in autumn and early winter, bikes and garden furniture in spring. Out of season, expect less.

Grade the condition honestly

New: unused, ideally in its original packaging; the price is still usually below the shop price.
Like new: barely used, no visible marks.
Good: normal signs of use, everything works.
Used: clear signs of wear, but working.
Faulty: for hobbyists or spare parts; describe the fault precisely.

Always mention known defects in the text and show them in a photo. Between private individuals you can exclude the warranty, for example with “sold as seen, no warranty”. Under Art. 199 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (CO), however, such an exclusion is void if you fraudulently conceal a defect. For tips on text and photos, see the guide Writing a good listing.

Plan your negotiation margin

Haggling is common in private sales in Switzerland. If you choose “Negotiable”, you typically set the price 10–15% above the minimum amount you want to get. A bigger mark-up tends to put buyers off, as they quickly spot an inflated price when comparing.

Briefly justify a fixed price, for example: “Price fixed, barely used, receipt available”.
Be wary of offers above your price without a viewing, or with a request to ship against advance payment: this is a typical scam pattern. More in the guide Spotting scams.

Fixed Price, Negotiable or “On Request”?

Fixed Price: clear and quick, ideal for items whose market price is easy to compare.
Negotiable: buyers see the note right next to the price. Useful if you want to sell quickly.
On Request: only sensible for one-off pieces, collections or items whose value can only be judged after some questions. Many buyers skip listings without a price, and you get more messages with low-ball offers.
Free: for things you simply want to get rid of.

Businesses are also bound by the Swiss Price Disclosure Ordinance (PBV): under Art. 3 PBV, anyone offering goods to consumers must state the price actually payable in Swiss francs. “On Request” is therefore hardly an option for a commercial seller.

Give it away instead of paying for disposal

An old sofa, wall unit or cot often brings in only CHF 20–50. Whether and how much bulky-waste disposal costs depends on the municipality (a fee sticker, a charge by weight or sometimes free), and you usually have to organise transport yourself. A free listing is often the better option: whoever collects the item takes care of transport.

Choose the price type “Free” or post in Free Stuff.
State “collection only”, the floor, whether there is a lift, and the dimensions.
According to the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), retailers selling electrical and electronic devices must take back used devices of the kind they stock free of charge, even if you buy nothing new.

If you are moving house, the guide Moving, decluttering, giving away will help.

How swissmax helps you price

Price check while you post: when you enter the category and title in Post an ad and choose Fixed Price or Negotiable, swissmax shows a price orientation based on similar listings. Your own listings are not counted.
How it is calculated: it compares the prices of active and recently sold listings from the last six months, in the same subcategory and with a similar title. Unusually high and low prices are left out, and each seller counts for at most two listings. You see the typical range and the median.
Only with enough data: the price check only appears with at least five comparable listings from at least four different sellers. As swissmax is new, it is still missing in many categories. It deliberately does not exist for real estate, services, jobs, Community, Events & Tickets, animals and one-off pieces such as paintings.
Condition in the title: words such as “defective”, “new” or “sealed” in the title help the comparison: a defective device is only compared with other defective ones.
On the listing page: buyers see whether your price is within the usual range. If it is well below, a safety note reminds them never to pay in advance; if it is above, you as the seller see an “Adjust price” link. It is an orientation, not a valuation.
Offers: if swissmax Deals are enabled in a category, buyers can propose an amount with “Make an offer”. You can accept, decline or send a counter-offer.
Change the price at any time: under “My Ads”. The free plan includes 3 active listings; the plans offer more.

Frequently asked questions

What percentage of the new price can I ask for a used item?

There is no fixed rate. Typical values are 40–70% for electronics after one year, 20–40% for furniture and 40–70% for branded bikes or professional tools. Comparable listings decide in the end.

Should I state the original purchase price in my listing?

You can mention it, but buyers go by today’s new price and by comparable listings. A receipt mainly helps to prove age and origin.

Why does my listing not show a price check?

Usually there are too few similar listings (at least five are needed, from at least four different sellers). It also does not appear for “Free” and “On Request”, for prices in euros, or in categories such as real estate, services or animals.

What should I do if my item does not sell?

Lower the price in small steps, improve the title and photos, or wait for the right season. For bulky items of little value, giving them away is often the best solution. For a safe handover, read our safety tips.

Last updated: November 2026. The percentages are guide values and do not replace a valuation.