How to manage price changes across platforms
Apr 11, 2025
Mastering Multichannel Pricing the Easy Way
For resellers, managing price changes across multiple platforms—like eBay, Mercari, Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace, and more—can be overwhelming, especially when inventory, sales, and fees are all moving targets. But with the right workflow and a few beginner-friendly steps, you can keep your prices, inventory, and team in sync, avoid double-selling, and make shipping or pickups a breeze.
Why Managing Price Changes Matters
When you sell the same product on multiple websites, prices can drift out of sync. Maybe you run a sale on one platform, or fees change, or you want to test a new price. If you don’t update everywhere, you risk selling at a loss, confusing buyers, or even overselling items you don’t have. Getting this right will save you money, time, and headaches—and help you scale your reselling business.
Step 1: Choose a Central Inventory & Listing System
Start by picking a central place to track what you have, how much you’re selling it for, and where it’s listed. For beginners, this could be as simple as a Google Sheet or Excel workbook. As you grow, consider using a dedicated tool like Gavelbase, which is designed for multichannel resellers and helps keep listings, prices, and inventory in sync across platforms.
List each item with a unique SKU or identifier.
Record which platforms it’s listed on (e.g., eBay, Mercari, Poshmark, etc.).
Track the price for each platform, and note any platform-specific fees.
Step 2: Create a Simple Price Change Workflow
When you need to adjust prices, follow these easy steps:
Update your central system first. Change the price in your inventory spreadsheet or tool. This becomes your ‘source of truth.’
Adjust prices on each platform. Log in to each selling site and update the listing price to match your central record. Some tools (like Gavelbase) let you push changes to multiple platforms at once, saving time.
Note the date of the change. This helps you track which prices are live and spot any issues quickly.
This process may seem manual at first, but it prevents errors and builds good habits. As you grow, you can automate more steps.
Step 3: Assign Basic Team Roles (Even if You’re Solo)
Clear roles help avoid mistakes, especially as you add helpers. In a small operation, these might all be you, but clearly defining them sets you up for growth:
Inventory Manager: Keeps the master list up to date.
Listing Manager: Updates prices and details on each platform.
Sales Tracker: Logs sales, removes sold items, and tracks fees.
Shipping Coordinator: Handles shipping or pickup after a sale.
Assign these tasks to yourself or teammates. Use a checklist for each sale to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Step 4: Track Sales and Platform Fees
Every platform charges different fees, which affect your net profit. After a sale:
Mark the item as sold in your central system.
Record the sale price, platform, and the fee charged.
Update inventory and end the listing on all other platforms to avoid double-selling.
Keeping detailed records helps you understand which platforms are most profitable, and ensures you don’t repeat pricing mistakes.
Step 5: Handle Shipping or Pickup Cleanly
Once a sale is made, quickly update your system and remove the item from other sites. Then:
Print shipping labels (directly from the selling platform, or use third-party tools like Pirate Ship).
Package items securely, and provide tracking to the buyer.
If doing a local pickup, arrange a safe meeting place and confirm details with the buyer.
Always update your central inventory after the item leaves your hands.
Beginner-Friendly Tools for Managing Price Changes
Google Sheets or Excel: Free, simple, and flexible for small inventories.
Gavelbase: Purpose-built for multichannel resellers; automates price and inventory sync across platforms. Learn more about Gavelbase.
Vendoo and List Perfectly: Other popular cross-listing tools that help manage listings and prices across sites.
Choose the tool that best matches your current needs and budget. Start simple, and upgrade as you grow.
Pro Tips for Staying Organized
Set a recurring calendar reminder to review prices and inventory each week.
Use color coding in your spreadsheet to flag items that need price updates.
Keep a backup copy of your records in the cloud, so you never lose track.
Watch for platform fee changes or promotions that might affect your pricing strategy.
Conclusion
Managing price changes across multiple platforms doesn’t have to be complicated. By building a simple, central system for tracking inventory, prices, and sales—and following a clear workflow—you’ll prevent mistakes, save time, and keep your reselling business running smoothly. As you grow, tools like Gavelbase can help automate and scale your process. Start with the basics, stay organized, and you’ll be well on your way to multichannel success.