1. What an active listing tells you
An active listing is a price a seller would like to get today. It shows your competition: how many similar items are for sale and where they sit. It does not show that anyone will pay that price. Some listings stay up for months because they are priced too high.
2. What a sold listing tells you, and what it doesn't
A sold listing is the closest thing to proof of value: a buyer agreed to that price. Check the details before you trust it. Was it the same model and variant? The same condition? Did the price include shipping, accessories or a second item? Was a lower offer accepted? A sale of a different version is not evidence for yours.
3. Why the two numbers drift apart
- Time on market: sellers start high and lower the price until it sells.
- Condition: listings in excellent condition hold out for more; worn ones sell lower.
- Bundles and extras: a box, charger or case can move the price a lot.
- Offers: the shown price may not be the price that was accepted.
- Shipping: free shipping is often built into the item price.
4. Read them together
Start with recent sales of the same item in the same condition. Use active listings to see what you are competing against now. If you price above most active listings, expect to wait. If recent sales cluster well below the asking prices, the market is telling you something. Ignore the single highest and lowest results until you know why they are different.
5. When there are almost no sales
Rare items, new releases and very cheap items often have few clear sales. Do not invent precision. Use a wider range, check another marketplace or region, and consider starting higher with room to lower the price. Thin evidence means more checking, not more confidence.
Where WorthAI fits
WorthAI shows the listings behind its estimate, so you can see what the number is based on. When the evidence is limited, the estimate is labelled as AI-guided instead of being presented as a market fact. Treat it as a starting point and confirm the matches.
Next: work out what you keep after fees and shipping, or read the full pricing guide.