How to price secondhand items sensibly in Thailand
Price too high and the listing sinks unseen. Price too low and you leave money on the table. These are the working rules that apply to nearly every category.
Last updated: 2026-08-31 · Near Dee
1. Start from the current market price, not what you paid
The right price is not your original purchase price minus a gut feeling about how long you have used it — it is what similar items in similar condition are selling for right now. Search the same model in the app, look at 5-10 active listings, and note which prices are moving and which are stuck.
2. Rough depreciation rates by category
- Phones/tablets: about 25-35% off the purchase price in year one, then another 15-20% per year after that. Models just replaced by a new release depreciate faster than usual.
- Large appliances (fridge, washer, aircon): roughly 10-15% per year as long as it still runs normally with no compressor or motor issues.
- Furniture: about 20-30% off in year one, then fairly stable if the wood and frame are still solid, unless it is a brand with continued demand.
- Designer bags and watches: depreciate much more slowly than other categories; some models barely lose value or even appreciate with full warranty card and box.
- Clothing and shoes: depreciate fastest of all, often selling at 20-40% of tag price after only a few wears, unless the item is a discontinued or collectible piece.
3. Adjust for actual condition, not the condition you wish it were
Mentally sort condition into three tiers: near-new (fewer than five uses, almost no wear), good (normal use, minor marks that do not affect function), and fair (visible flaws or a function that has degraded). Each tier should typically sit about 10-15% of market price apart from the next.
4. When to lower the price
If a listing gets no messages after 7-10 days, or messages come in but nobody commits to a viewing, that is a sign the price is above market. Drop it 5-10% and reassess. Frequent small drops beat holding a stale high price that gets scrolled past.
5. Handling lowball offers
If someone offers more than 30-40% below your asking price with no reasoning based on actual condition, there is no need to respond emotionally — simply hold your price or restate the item's key selling point briefly. A serious buyer usually comes back with a more reasonable number.
A reasonable negotiation range is typically 5-15% off the asking price. If you built that margin into the price from the start, you can accept an offer in that range without actually losing money.