How to tell if an eBay price is actually any good (an Australian guide)

eBay's full of bargains and full of rubbish, and the hard part is telling them apart. "Best Match" doesn't sort by value — it sorts by what eBay reckons you'll click. So you get a wall of results and no real idea whether $480 for a used iPhone is a steal or a stitch-up. Here's how to work it out.

1. Find the going rate, not the asking price

An asking price tells you what one seller wants. What you need is what the thing actually sells for. On eBay, search the item then tick "Sold items" in the filters — that shows completed sales, real prices people paid. Look at the middle of the spread. If most sold around $300 and you're looking at one for $260, good sign. One at $420 is having a lend.

2. Add postage and import before you judge

A $40 listing with $35 postage isn't a $40 deal. Overseas sellers are worse: by the time you add international postage and the GST on the import, a cheap-looking price can land dearer than a local one. Always compare the total to your door, not the headline number. Australian sellers often work out cheaper once postage is in, even when the sticker looks higher.

3. Read the condition, not just the title

"Used - good" covers a lot of sins. Read the description. Stock photos on a used item, vague wording on something expensive, or specs that don't match the stated condition are all reasons to knock the price down in your head, or walk.

4. Watch the seller, not the stars

A "top rated" badge isn't a guarantee. Feedback percentage matters more than count — anything under about 98% on a high-value item is worth a closer look. A brand-new account flogging expensive gear cheap is the oldest trick going.

5. If it's way too cheap, it's not your lucky day

A "new" MacBook for $400 isn't a bargain, it's a problem. Prices far below the going rate almost always mean a wrong listing, dodgy stock, or a scam. Genuine deals sit a bit under market, not a fraction of it.

The shortcut

Doing all that on every listing is a pain, which is why I built Rippafy. It searches eBay Australia, works out the going rate, counts postage and import, puts Australian sellers first, and scores each listing RIPPA, ALRIGHT or COOKED so you can see at a glance whether a price is any good. It's free, and it'll happily tell you something's cooked and to skip it. Have a look.

Disclosure: links out to eBay are affiliate links, so I get a small cut if you buy. Costs you nothing, covers the bills. Rather say it than not.