# Don't Cite Unsold eBay Listing Prices

DevFeed: [Don't Cite Unsold eBay Listing Prices](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/don-t-cite-unsold-ebay-listing-prices-38396.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://blog.danlew.net/2026/01/17/dont-cite-unsold-ebay-listing-prices/>)

Author: Dan Lew

Published: 2026-01-17T01:50:34Z

Content type: opinion

Language: en

Sources: [Dan Lew Blog](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/dan-lew-blog.md>)

Topics: [data](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/data.md>), [datasets](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/datasets.md>)

Tags: [data](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/data.md>), [research](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/research.md>)

## AI overview

The article argues that journalists should not treat unsold eBay listing prices as evidence of actual market sales. It uses NYC MetroCards and Trader Joe's tote bags to show that completed-sale data can be dramatically lower than sensational listing prices.

## Source excerpt

Journalists, I beg of you: please stop confusing unsold eBay listings for actual sales. I'm ticked off after seeing this Patch post about NYC MetroCards selling for $5,000 and this WSJ article about Trader Joe's totes going for $50,000. Yes, someone listed