State the amount in such a way that prospective buyers can immediately see what they will actually have to pay for the goods, service or participation on offer. Always use the field associated with the selected advert type.
Important: For the ‘Marketplace’ advert type, the relevant field is called ‘Price’. For ‘Lost’ and ‘Found’ adverts, it is called ‘Reward’. A price and a reward serve different purposes and must not be confused with one another.
Which field is intended for which advert type?
The fields displayed depend on the selected advert type.
- Marketplace: Use the ‘Price’ field for the selling price of the goods on offer or the clearly described unit of sale.
- Services: Enter the price or rate for the service being offered in the field provided for this purpose, if such a field is available.
- Events: Enter an admission, participation or ticket price if payment is required to attend.
- Give away: Use this advert type only if the item is genuinely being given away free of charge.
- Lost: Use the ‘Reward’ field if you are actually offering a reward for the successful recovery or return of the item.
- Found: Here, too, the field is called ‘Reward’. The amount entered is not the selling price of the found item, but must be clearly related to the discovery or return of the item.
- Incidents: An incident report is not normally an offer for sale. Amounts relating to damages, cost estimates or other monetary sums should only be included in the description if they are necessary for an accurate representation of the facts and are clearly identified as such.
If no suitable field is displayed, first check the selected advert type. Do not enter a made-up amount simply to be able to submit the advert.
What is the difference between a price, a service charge, a reward and a free offer?
A selling price is the amount a buyer is expected to pay for an item.
A service charge or fee is the amount charged for a specific service or scope of work.
An admission or ticket price is the amount charged for access to or participation in an event.
A reward is not a selling price. It refers to an amount promised or stated in connection with a loss, a found item or a successful return.
An offer is only free of charge if no obligatory payment is required for the item or service offered. If delivery charges or other necessary costs are incurred, these must still be clearly stated.
How do I enter the amount on the form?
Please follow the instructions for the relevant input field.
- Use the currency displayed in the form.
- If the field already displays ‘Euro’, simply enter the amount in the permitted number format.
- Do not use any additional words or special characters in a purely numeric field.
- Enter cent amounts accurately.
- Do not mix different currencies within a single advert.
- Do not use either 0 EUR or 1 EUR as a placeholder if a different price is actually being charged.
- Do not enter an unrealistically low bait price.
- For marketplace adverts, use the ‘Price’ field and not a ‘Reward’ entry.
- For lost or found items, do not use the ‘Reward’ field as a hidden selling price.
Notes such as ‘negotiable’, ‘per item’, ‘per hour’, ‘from’, ‘plus postage’ or ‘collection only’ must also be included in the description if they cannot be shown in the price field itself.
The price field and description must match
The amount stated in the price field must correspond to the title, description, images and all other conditions.
Please note:
- If the price field states 80 EUR, the description must not require a total amount of 100 EUR without a clear explanation.
- If the amount relates to a single item, ‘per item’ must be clearly indicated.
- If the amount relates to a complete set, the full contents of the set must be specified.
- If several variants are offered at different prices, the variant, price and scope of services must be clearly matched.
- If shipping, delivery, call-out, materials or other costs are payable in addition, these must be clearly stated.
- If a minimum order value is required, this must be clearly indicated.
- If the price applies only to a specific purchase quantity, this condition must be stated.
- If the price changes, both the price field and the description must be updated together.
Do not rely solely on a price that is only visible in an image, on an external profile or on another website. The key price details must be clearly understandable directly within the advert.
What applies to private sellers?
For a genuine occasional private sale, the requirements of the Price Indication Ordinance that apply to businesses do not apply in the same way. Nevertheless, prices stated by private sellers must also be truthful, clear and consistent.
Private sellers should, in particular, state:
- the actual amount charged,
- whether the price is fixed or negotiable,
- whether the amount applies per item or to a complete set,
- which items are included in the price,
- whether collection only is possible,
- whether postage costs are added,
- whether there are any packaging or delivery costs,
- whether accessories are included in the price,
- whether a stated previous price was the seller’s own previous offer price or merely the original retail price at the time.
Whether someone is actually acting privately or commercially depends on their real activity, not solely on how the account is described.
Example:
“Second-hand bicycle: 280 EUR, price negotiable. The price applies to the bicycle shown in the photograph, including the lock. Collection only.”
Further information:
What do commercial sellers need to bear in mind?
Anyone who, as a trader, offers goods or services to consumers or advertises them by stating prices must, as a general rule, state the total price.
The total price is the amount payable for the goods or services, including VAT and other unavoidable price components.
Please take particular care to:
- state the total price actually payable,
- take VAT into account in accordance with the actual tax status,
- ensure that unavoidable price components are not added retrospectively,
- clearly indicate any additional postage, delivery or other costs,
- clearly associate the price with the unit of sale offered,
- state any required base price where applicable,
- show any returnable deposit or security deposit separately,
- for services, explain the scope of the service and the basis for calculation,
- for price reductions, comply with the applicable requirements.
If a price is broken down into several components, the total price must be clearly highlighted.
A net price alone is generally not a sufficient indication of the total price in an offer made by a trader to consumers.
Example:
“Total price: EUR 119 including VAT and the installation described.”
Further information:
How do I indicate delivery and other additional costs?
Additional costs must not be concealed.
Depending on the offer, state:
- postage costs,
- packaging costs,
- delivery costs,
- call-out charges,
- material costs,
- installation costs,
- processing fees,
- surcharges for specific dates or appointments,
- minimum order values,
- necessary additional services,
- other mandatory costs.
In the case of a commercial distance selling offer, it must be clear whether additional freight, delivery, postage or other costs will be incurred. Where these can reasonably be calculated in advance, their amount must be stated.
Example:
“Price: EUR 29.90 including VAT. Additional EUR 4.90 for delivery within Germany.”
Inappropriate:
“Price: EUR 29.90 plus costs”, if neither the nature nor the amount of the additional costs is explained.
If the amount depends on distance, weight or any other objective factor, explain the calculation in a clear and understandable manner.
Further information:
What is the difference between the total price, unit price and base price?
The total price is the price for the specific sales unit on offer.
A unit price is the price for a single item.
The statutory base price is the price per unit of quantity, for example per kilogram, litre, metre, square metre or cubic metre.
For certain goods sold by weight, volume, length or area, commercial suppliers must state a base price in addition to the total price. There may be statutory exceptions.
Examples:
- “2 kg pack for a total of 12 EUR. Base price: 6 EUR/kg.”
- “500 ml care product for 9 EUR. Base price: 18 EUR/l.”
- “Set of four chairs for a total of 200 EUR.”
- “Four chairs available, 50 EUR each.”
- “10 items for a total of 25 EUR. Sold individually: 3 EUR each.”
A price per item or per set is not automatically a base price within the meaning of the Price Indication Ordinance.
Further information:
How do I state a returnable deposit, security deposit or another refundable security?
A refundable amount must be stated separately alongside the total price and must not be included in the total price.
Make it clear:
- the amount of the refundable sum,
- the purpose for which it is charged,
- the conditions under which it will be refunded,
- when the refund will be made,
- any deductions that may be agreed.
Examples:
- “Crate of drinks: 18 EUR plus 3.30 EUR deposit.”
- “Rental price: 40 EUR per day. Plus a 100 EUR refundable deposit.”
A deposit amount is not taken into account when calculating a base price.
Further information:
How do I state prices for services?
Select the pricing format that corresponds to the actual billing. Also describe what services are included in the price.
Possible pricing formats:
- fixed price,
- hourly rate,
- price per appointment,
- price per person,
- price per item or unit,
- price per kilometre,
- daily flat rate,
- basic flat rate with additional charge rates,
- an individually calculated price with a transparent basis.
Examples:
- “Bicycle inspection: total price 69 EUR including the inspection work described.”
- “Consultation: 60 EUR per 60 minutes.”
- “Window cleaning: 8 EUR per standard window.”
- “Call-out charge: 0.60 EUR per kilometre travelled from the specified starting point.”
- “Basic flat rate: 35 EUR. Additional working time: 20 EUR per hour.”
Explain:
- the scope of services included,
- the billing unit,
- the minimum booking duration,
- the smallest time unit charged,
- any call-out charges,
- material costs included or charged separately,
- surcharges for weekends or specific times,
- regional restrictions,
- conditions for a fixed price,
- how a variable final price is calculated.
In the case of commercial offers to consumers, additional statutory requirements regarding price lists and billing rates may apply.
Further information:
How do I use fixed prices, price ranges, ‘from’ and ‘negotiable’?
Use a fixed price if the full scope of services and the amount to be paid have already been determined.
A price range is only appropriate if verifiable circumstances influence the final price. Explain what causes the price to vary within the range.
A ‘from’ price must apply to a base variant that is actually available and clearly described. A minimum variant that is merely theoretical or not practically available is misleading.
Example:
“Window cleaning from 45 EUR. The price applies to up to five standard windows within the city limits. Each additional window costs 7 EUR.”
‘VB’ means that the price is negotiable. You should nevertheless state a genuine starting price.
Example:
“Desk: 180 EUR VB.”
‘Price on request’ should not be used if a price can already be quoted for a specific product or a fixed service.
If the final price can only be determined after assessing the scope of the work, please state:
- what information is required for the calculation,
- which price components are fixed,
- which components vary,
- which rates apply,
- whether a cost estimate will be prepared,
- whether there is a charge for the cost estimate.
If the form requires an amount, do not enter a made-up placeholder.
How do I specify prices for sets, multiple items and variants?
Make it absolutely clear what the amount in the ‘Price’ field refers to.
For a set, state:
- all items included in the set,
- the total price of the set,
- whether individual items can be sold separately,
- any individual prices,
- the number of complete sets available.
If there are several identical items, please specify:
- the price per item,
- the number of items available,
- any minimum order quantity,
- tiered pricing,
- the total price for a mandatory minimum quantity.
For variants, please specify:
- the respective version,
- the corresponding price,
- size, colour, condition or scope of services,
- additional costs,
- which variant corresponds to the amount in the price field.
Do not use a low price for a single variant if it is unavailable or is only intended to make an overall more expensive offer appear cheaper.
How do I post a free offer correctly?
If you genuinely wish to give an item away without a purchase price, use the ‘Give away’ advert type.
Please ensure that:
- you do not demand a purchase price afterwards,
- you do not introduce a compulsory hidden ‘expense allowance’,
- you clearly state if collection is required,
- you specify any shipping costs,
- you do not demand a different price in the description,
- you do not use the ‘Marketplace’ advert type with a false price of 0 EUR or 1 EUR.
If only part of a service is free of charge, describe exactly which part is offered free of charge and which other services are subject to a charge.
Example:
“Sofa to give away for free. Collection only.”
Example with delivery:
“Item free of charge. Postage is available and costs 4.90 EUR.”
How do I use the ‘Reward’ field for Lost and Found?
For the ‘Lost’ and ‘Found’ advert types, the relevant field is called ‘Reward’. This amount is not the selling price of the item.
For ‘Lost’ adverts, you can enter an amount that you are actually offering for the successful recovery or return of the item.
Example:
“50 EUR reward for the successful return of the rucksack described.”
For ‘Found’, it must also remain clear that this is a found-item report, not an offer for sale. Any reward entered must genuinely relate to the find or the return of the item.
Please ensure that:
- you clearly explain what the reward applies to,
- you do not state a reward that you do not actually offer or that has not actually been agreed,
- you do not use the field as a purchase price,
- you do not offer a found item for sale,
- you do not set an arbitrary fee for handing over the item,
- you do not require an advance payment as a condition of viewing or returning the item,
- you do not request payment details or login credentials through insecure external links.
Any potential legal claims relating to a found item are neither replaced nor excluded by the name of the field.
Further information:
What applies to discounts, promotions and previous prices?
Price reductions must be true, up to date and verifiable.
Please ensure that:
- you enter the current price in the ‘Price’ field,
- you do not invent a comparison price,
- you clearly name the relevant product or variant,
- to specify the start and end dates of the promotion,
- to explain any conditions and restrictions,
- to continue to disclose any additional costs in full,
- to remove expired promotions.
Where a commercial supplier advertises a price reduction for a product to consumers, the lowest total price applied within the 30 days prior to the start of the price reduction must, as a general rule, also be stated. Special rules and exceptions apply in certain cases.
Further information:
Which price indications should I avoid?
Avoid:
- 0 EUR or 1 EUR as a placeholder,
- a bait price that is not available,
- conflicting prices in the price field and description,
- a price that applies only to an unavailable variant,
- a set price without a description of the set,
- a unit price without specifying the sales unit,
- hidden mandatory charges,
- a net price presented as the highlighted final price to consumers,
- unclear delivery or call-out charges,
- ‘Negotiable’ without a starting price,
- an unexplained ‘from’ price,
- a fabricated previous price,
- an expired discount offer,
- a selling price in the ‘Reward’ field,
- a reward presented as a hidden fee for handing over the item,
- a price shown only in an image or on an external page.
Examples of clear price information
Marketplace:
“Second-hand bicycle: 280 EUR, price negotiable. Collection only.”
Set:
“Four dining chairs as a complete set: total price 200 EUR.”
Individual sale:
“Four chairs available. Price: 55 EUR each.”
Service:
“Tutoring: 25 EUR per 60 minutes. Online, no additional travel costs.”
Service with a base price:
“Garden maintenance from 45 EUR for the basic service described. Additional work: 40 EUR per hour. Material costs are agreed before the job is commissioned.”
Event:
“Entry fee: 35 EUR per person, including the materials described.”
Give away:
“Sofa to give away for free. Collection only.”
Lost:
“50 EUR reward for the successful return of the rucksack described.”
Found:
“Found a set of keys. Not for sale and no fee for return.”
What should I check before publishing?
Check that:
- The advert type matches the actual purpose.
- For Marketplace, the ‘Price’ field has been used.
- For Lost or Found, ‘Reward’ has not been used as the selling price.
- The amount is up to date and genuine.
- The price field, title, description and images do not contradict one another.
- The quantity or unit of sale offered is clear.
- A set is described in full.
- Variants and their prices are correctly assigned.
- Postage, delivery, call-out and material costs are stated.
- The total price includes all necessary price components.
- A required base price is stated.
- Deposits or security deposits are shown separately.
- A ‘from’ price is actually available and explained.
- Where ‘negotiable’ is stated, a specific starting price has been quoted.
- Discounts and comparative prices are accurate.
- A free offer does not contain any hidden payment obligations.
- A reward has been entered only if it is genuinely offered.
- All legal and platform-specific requirements have been checked.
How do I keep price details up to date?
Edit the advert as soon as the price, scope, quantity, availability or additional costs change.
Update:
- the amount in the price or reward field,
- all price details in the description,
- prices shown in images,
- quantity and set details,
- postage and delivery costs,
- call-out and material costs,
- base prices,
- deposits or security deposits,
- discount terms,
- Start and end dates of a promotion,
- available variants.
End, deactivate or update the advert if the offer is no longer available. A further review may be required after editing.
What can I do if I have a technical problem with the price or reward field?
First, check:
- the selected advert type,
- whether the ‘Price’ field is displayed for Marketplace,
- whether the ‘Reward’ field is displayed under Lost or Found,
- the number and decimal format used,
- whether a required field is missing,
- whether an error message is displayed,
- whether the amount was saved.
Reload the page and check the form again. Please use an up-to-date browser. Do not enter a fictitious amount.
If the relevant field is missing, a valid amount is not saved or appears incorrect after publication, please use the contact form.
Please provide the following where possible:
- the advert ID or the link to the advert,
- the selected advert type,
- which field is displayed,
- what amount was entered,
- what amount appears after saving,
- the wording of the error message,
- the browser and device used,
- a screenshot, if this is helpful for technical investigation.
Never disclose your password or full payment details. Support can assist with technical and general enquiries regarding the platform, but does not replace individual legal or tax advice.
