Vent: "Used" is not a Condition!

[GAD]

I am so tired of seeing auctions and for sale ads that say "condition is used".

Condition is poor, fair, good, very good, excellent, maybe even "mint", though we all know how that term gets abused. You know, something that describes the condition of the item. "Used" is a loophole that people use so that no matter what condition it arrives in they can say, "well, it's says used - and there's pics". Oh, and how about "The description is the pictures" or "the pictures are part of the description"? Use your words dammit!

ARGHH!

I wish sites like Ebay and Reverb and such would disallow this and force people into a ranked scale. Most hobbies that deal in used goods have published known scales and they're pretty similar unless the hobby has specific requirements.

Sigh... OK, I'm done.

 

[johnreardon]

To be fair, no matter what words people put in ads, they can be subjective.

I've just taken a look at my descriptions of stuff I have sold over the last decade. The most common phrase I seemed to have used is
'it is in very good condition'. But what does 'very good' mean?

I had quite a few guitars, mostly bought new, that were rarely gigged and kept in their cases, so dents and scratched didn't exist, so I suppose I could have used 'mint condition', which again can be subjective.

One guitar that I had played out a lot, I used the phrase 'It has been gigged so bears the marks you would expect, however it still plays and sounds great'. I suppose that's the closest to your 'used' comment. There was only one chip on this guitar that I included in this pic.



I always include good pictures in any sale and never ship, insisting that people collect guitars. I make sure they try them through an amp before they purchase.

As yet, I have never had anyone criticise my descriptions, in fact quite the opposite. Most have said I have understated the condition.

Buying and selling can be a minefield, particulary on the internet. Yes I know I limit my potential market by my insistence on collection but at least I always end up with satisfied customers.

I don't 'buy and sell guitars', I just wanted to bring my small collection down from 27 as my gigging life was coming to and end. I have reduced it down to 12 which is enough for me, so thankfully I won't need to enter the minefield again

 

[davismanLV]

Sigh... OK, I'm done.

I almost believe you. Almost.....

 

[GGJaguar]

"Pre-owned" is not a condition, either.

 

[johnreardon]

"Pre-owned" is not a condition, either.

If they want to use that term, then it should be 'second-hand' as far as I'm concerned

 

[HeyMikey]

I agree with GAD on this. The terminology is not good. However, even the correct terminology is subjective without a clear definition and adherence to the terms. Further, is still at a very high level and usually not enough to make a decision without a more detailed description and some specs.

If the seller offers free returns, like GC, then one word and one blurry pic is fine because there is no risk. Otherwise I want details.

I will most often have to ask if what I need to know is not provided by the description and/or the pictures. It would be nice if the seller deacribed it completely for me. Sometime they do, more often they don’t. It’s up to me to do my due diligence.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

If they want to use that term, then it should be 'second-hand' as far as I'm concerned

In this context, used, pre-owned, and second-hand mean the same thing.

 

[Stagefright]

The person/business placing the ad should be free to describe it anyway they choose. It’s up to me to get the information I need to justify a purchase.

 

[johnreardon]

In this context, used, pre-owned, and second-hand mean the same thing.

Not for me. Used or Second-hand are fine, but Pre-owned is a laughable term.
Just as laughable as Pre-loved

 

[Sal]

Vintage gear usually has enough wear that it would be difficult to call out every scuff and scratch. So I do like the phrase "please view the photos and ask questions" as some remorseful buyers will look for any excuse to force a return. When I sell something I try to take the best photos I can. If one of the photos clearly showed the imperfection they can't claim "not as described". Let's face it, every return costs a seller time, money, and the risk of loss and damage.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Not for me. Used or Second-hand are fine, but Pre-owned is a laughable term.
Just as laughable as Pre-loved

Oh! To me they just mean it's not the first owner.

But yeah, now that you put it that way, I remember TV ads for a used car lot that sold "previously-owned Cadillacs." Pretentious!

 

[GAD]

Pre-owned is used by car companies because “used car” developed such a bad reputation.

A “pre-owned” car is probably being sold by a dealer where they’ve supposedly done the proper checks and such to make it as good as it can be, hopefully with reports and histories provided.

A “used” car is being sold from a used car lot by a sleazy used car dealer down on the corner where the cheap motels are.

That is the crux of what marketing is all about.

Condition=used, however, is nothing but a cop out where the seller avoids doing any work at all and hopes you won’t care about any flaws because, you know, it’s used.

 

[lungimsam]

I don;t like when they write "SOLD AS IS" because I then would fear them being able to say you can't return it for any reason because the ad states "as is".
Like it gets the seller off the hook too easily.
If you are the seller, and that is your intent, then don't play games, just clearly state "No Returns".

 

[adorshki]

Not for me. Used or Second-hand are fine, but Pre-owned is a laughable term.
Just as laughable as Pre-loved

Gotta remember that one. Classier than "Wanted: Used Girlfriend".

 

[lungimsam]

or they don;t put the price...

Guild tube bass amp - musical instruments - by owner - sale

Vintage Guild Thunderbass 50 watt 8417 power tube bass head for sale.Standby toggle switch lever broken off and still has original two prong power plug which needs to be replaced with a new 3 prong...

philadelphia.craigslist.org

 

[richardp69]

I would like to see just once, "this guitar is a real pos and I hate it"

 

[Guildedagain]

Is GAD mindreading, or is the invisible spy technology getting better? ;[]

Looking at a seriously expensive guitar the other day, the only description was "Used guitar", unreal...

Or how about this one at $4k?

1959 Guild T-100D Slim Jim Electric Guitar Made in USA | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1959 Guild T-100D Slim Jim Electric Guitar Made in USA at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Spoiler

 

[johnreardon]

Gotta remember that one. Classier than "Wanted: Used Girlfriend".

 

[Wilmywood]

Not for me. Used or Second-hand are fine, but Pre-owned is a laughable term.
Just as laughable as Pre-loved

They all mean the same thing. You can add 'previously enjoyed' to the list. All mean the same thing.

 

[Default]

Used is an attribute, like "has pickups".