How to Check if a Secondhand Price Is Fair
You've spotted a used item, at a flea market, in a thrift store, or in an online listing, and the price tag alone doesn't tell you much. Is it a bargain, is it overpriced, or is it about right? The only way to know is to compare it with what the same item actually sells for right now.
One fast way to do that is with PriceLens: snap a photo of the item and the app identifies it, then pulls up real prices from stores selling it today, sorted from cheapest to most expensive. Here's how to use it whether you're buying or selling.
1. Take one clear photo
Whether it's sitting on a table at a flea market, on a shelf in a thrift store, or in a screenshot of an online listing, one clear photo is all PriceLens needs to start. No product name or barcode required.
2. Let it identify the item
PriceLens recognizes the brand and model when they're visible, or the product type and its distinguishing features when they're not. You don't type anything, the photo itself is the search.
3. Watch the price list build
Real prices from stores currently selling the item start appearing right away, sorted cheapest to most expensive, and keep filling in as the search continues.
4. Use it as a reference, not an appraisal
The prices you see are current listings for that item, mostly new. Treat that number as your reference point, then adjust in your head for the used item's actual condition, age, and completeness.
5. If you're buying
See a price well above what current listings suggest, and you have a solid reason to negotiate down or walk away.
6. If you're selling
Use the same reference price as a starting ceiling for your asking price, then price down from there based on wear and how badly you want it gone.
7. Do the check before you commit
Because results stream in within seconds, there's time to run this check right on the spot, before you hand over cash or click confirm.
Does PriceLens tell me the exact resale value of my used item?
No. It shows real prices currently listed for that item at online stores, which are mostly new. Use that as a reference point and adjust for the item's actual condition yourself.
Do I need to know the brand or model to use it?
No. Just take a photo. PriceLens identifies the brand and model when visible, and still searches by product type and features when they're not.
Can I use it right there at the flea market or thrift store?
Yes. It's a mobile app, so you can photograph the item and see prices before you decide to buy.
Do the results include other people's secondhand listings?
PriceLens searches real online stores through Google Shopping, so results are mostly new-item prices, not other users' used listings. Treat it as a reference ceiling, not an identical match.
How much does a price check cost?
PriceLens is free to download, and your first search each day is free too. Beyond that, each search uses one credit, and you can buy more credit packs inside the app if you need them.
What if I'm the one selling, not buying?
The same check works in reverse: photograph your own item to see what it currently sells for, and use that as a starting point for a fair asking price.
PriceLens is available now on Google Play. The App Store (iOS) version is coming soon.