Setting the Right Price: Free, Negotiable, Fixed, or “Make an Offer” Options
Choosing the correct pricing option when creating your listing on markto.ch directly affects how quickly and easily your item sells. The platform typically offers four main ways to set the price — each suits different situations and buyer expectations.
1. Fixed Price (Festpreis / Prix fixe)
- You set one non-negotiable price (e.g., CHF 250.–)
- Buyers know exactly what they’ll pay — no haggling required
Best for
- Items with clear market value (electronics, branded clothing, new-in-box products)
- When you want a quick, no-drama sale
- High-demand or rare items where you don’t want to lose money on negotiations
Pros
- Fast decisions — serious buyers pay immediately or contact to arrange pickup
- Less back-and-forth messaging
- Sets clear expectations
Cons
- May scare away bargain hunters
- If priced too high → zero interest
- You can’t accept higher offers (rare problem)
2. Negotiable (Verhandelbar / À discuter)
- You set a starting price but are open to offers
- Buyers see the listed price + “Negotiable” label
Best for
- Used items where condition varies (furniture, bikes, older electronics)
- When you’re flexible and want maximum interest
- Local sales where buyers expect to haggle in person
Pros
- Attracts more views and messages (people love to negotiate)
- Gives you room to meet in the middle
- Often leads to faster sales than a high fixed price
Cons
- Endless lowball offers can be frustrating
- Takes more time to negotiate
- Some buyers may waste time without serious intent
3. Make an Offer / Best Offer (Preisvorschlag / Faites une offre)
- You either set no price at all or a “guide price” and invite offers
- Buyers submit their proposed amount via message or form
Best for
- Unique, rare, or sentimental items (collectibles, vintage, art, custom pieces)
- When you’re unsure of the current market value
- High-value items where you want to see what people are willing to pay
Pros
- Can reveal higher-than-expected interest
- Filters out non-serious buyers (only those willing to commit get in touch)
- Good for testing the market
Cons
- Fewer overall views (many skip “no price” ads)
- Risk of very low or ridiculous offers
- Takes longer to close a deal
4. Free (Gratis / Gratuit)
- No price — item is given away for free
Best for
- Items you just want gone quickly (old furniture, moving boxes, giveaways)
- Building goodwill or clearing space
- Attracting very fast pickup
Pros
- Extremely high interest — ads often get dozens of messages in hours
- Fastest possible removal
Cons
- Attracts time-wasters or people who never show up
- No money earned
- Sometimes draws suspicious inquiries
Quick Decision Guide – Which Option to Choose
| Your Goal / Situation | Best Pricing Option |
|---|---|
| Sell quickly at a fair price | Negotiable or Fixed |
| Maximize final sale price | Make an Offer or Fixed (high) |
| Get rid of it fast, don’t care about money | Free |
| High-value / branded / new item | Fixed |
| Used item with room for haggling | Negotiable |
| Unsure of value, want to test market | Make an Offer |
| Rare/collectible, expect competition | Make an Offer or Fixed (premium) |
Pro Tips for Any Pricing Option
- Check similar ads first: search your item in the category → note average prices
- Price 10–20% above your minimum acceptable amount if negotiable
- Mention flexibility in description: “Price is negotiable for quick pickup”
- Be realistic — overpricing kills interest fast
- Update price if no interest after 7–10 days (edit listing → lower it slightly)
- For “Make an Offer”: set a hidden minimum in your mind and politely decline lowballs
Final Recommendation for Most First-Time Sellers
Start with Negotiable — it attracts the widest audience while giving you control.
If the item is new/in-demand → go Fixed.
If you’re unsure of value → try Make an Offer for a week.
Set a thoughtful price, write a strong description, add good photos — and your first listing will move quickly on markto.ch.
Good luck with your sale! Let me know what you’re selling if you want pricing advice.