1. Start with retail
Look up what the item costs new today. Not what you paid — what it costs new today.
2. Apply a depreciation rule
Furniture: 40–60% of retail if under two years old, 30–40% if 2–5 years old, 15–25% if 5–10 years old. Electronics: steeper — half the retail price after 18 months, a third after three years. Kids’ items: hold value well, 40–70% of retail for good-condition items under three years old.
3. Check comparable sales
On Lemown, filter by category and area and see what similar items are actually listed at right now.
4. Add negotiation headroom
Add 5–10% on top of your walk-away price. Not more — buyers ignore ads priced above the market by more than a token amount.
5. Test for a week
If it hasn’t sold or attracted serious interest in seven days, drop the price by 10% and re-post. Repeat weekly.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of retail is a second-hand item worth?
Furniture in good condition: 30–60%. Consumer electronics 2–3 years old: 30–40%. Kids’ items in good condition: 40–70%. Depends on brand, condition and demand.
Should I match the lowest listed price?
Not necessarily — match the lowest listed price for the same condition and honestly-photographed item, and be prepared to negotiate 5–10% below that.
