Condition grades and listings

Seventeen, from best to most worn: New, New with tags, New (Other), New with defects, Customer returns, four refurbished grades, Seller Refurbished, Like New, Pre-loved, four Used grades, and For parts or not working.

Because they are eBay's vocabulary, plus three of our own. Much of our stock arrives in eBay-style records and some is listed back there, so one set of words travels both ways without being translated.

Brand new, unused, unopened and undamaged, in its original packaging.

Clothing or accessories that have never been worn and still carry their original tags or packaging.

New and unused, with no signs of wear, but not in its original sealed state — the box may be opened or missing, or tags gone. On clothing it reads "New without tags".

Brand new and unused, but with a cosmetic flaw, such as a scuff or a mark, and sometimes without its original packaging. The listing describes the defect.

An item a shopper bought and sent back to the store. It may be unused or lightly used; the listing's photos and notes say what we found.

Restored to a pristine, like-new condition by the manufacturer or a vendor it approved.

Refurbished to working order, graded by wear: Excellent looks like new, Very Good shows minimal wear, Good shows moderate wear. We give no written warranty with them.

Restored to working order by a seller or a third party rather than the manufacturer.

Used, but looks new: no visible wear, though it has been opened or handled before.

Previously owned and gently used — our grade for worn items in good shape, especially clothing and accessories.

Previously used, from least to most wear: Used - Excellent, Used - Very Good, Used - Good and Used - Acceptable. Acceptable items show obvious wear.

The item does not work as intended. It is sold for its parts or for repair, and is not promised to work at all.

Each category uses its own words for the same grade — "Pre-owned - Good" on apparel, "Used - Good" on electronics, plain "Good" on a book.

We have not recorded a grade for that unit yet. Rely on its photos and notes, or ask us before buying.

Usually it is unused, but it is not sealed: open-box stock is graded New (Other), or lower if we found wear or missing parts.

Three things on the listing together: its photos, its condition grade, and its notes. They describe what you are buying.

A manufacturer picture is the maker's own image of the product. An actual product photo is of the very unit we are selling, showing its real condition.

Photos marked as the actual product are of the unit on sale. Manufacturer pictures show the model, not your unit.

The item's retail price — what it is claimed to sell for new — so you can see the saving.

From the item's retail price and our price: the difference, as a share of the retail price.

No. Sizes, weights and counts in listings are approximate, so leave some room when you measure.

In the item specifications section of the product page: brand, model, size and the other details recorded for it.

Liquidation goods can arrive without parts, instructions or packaging. When we know something is missing, the listing says so.

Not always. Returned and open-box items may have opened, damaged or missing packaging; the grade and photos show what to expect.

Not always. Liquidation stock can be missing its instructions or safety labels, so look up the manual online for anything you are unsure how to use.

Only if the listing says so. An item sold as untested or for parts is not promised to work.

Ask before you buy: use the question box on the item's page and we reply to your messages.

No. Wear consistent with the condition grade, and anything the listing or its photos showed, is part of what you bought.

No. Brand names identify the products only; we are not connected with those brands, or with the stores the goods came from, unless a listing says so.

Liquidation, customer-return, overstock and salvage goods, by auction and at fixed prices.

Yes, when its listing says so. Items may be used, incomplete, damaged, missing parts or packaging, or not working — and the listing tells you which.

Goods sold as they are, often damaged or not working, for parts or repair. They come without warranty.

Sold exactly as described, with all faults and without warranty. Only a material difference from the listing can be reported.

7 days from delivery or collection. Report it from your orders page with photos.