Why are Ebay sellers so bad at describing the condition of their games?
I constantly see games listed as 'Like New' or 'Very Good' when they're in poor condition (stains, dirt, peeling labels, scratches, writing, stickers, etc.). Are they trying to upsell the item or are most of them just clueless?
Comments
While I rarely sell extremely fine games, my default is 'acceptable' and I let the pictures do the talking.
If they list the item in the video games category, there really is no excuse in my opinion. There's a description listed for each condition. Since the buyer has the upper-hand when it comes to these sorts of things, it's really in the seller's best interest to list them accurately.
While I rarely sell extremely fine games, my default is 'acceptable' and I let the pictures do the talking.
x2
I constantly see games listed as 'Like New' or 'Very Good' when they're in poor condition (stains, dirt, peeling labels, scratches, writing, stickers, etc.). Are they trying to upsell the item or are most of them just clueless?
A bit of a follow-up question, but why are most peopel so horrible at taking care of what they own? People treat games, CDs, DVDs, etc. as if they're frisbees and I often ponder how the hell people can get their products so banged up?? Well, anyway, when I purchase I typically purchase from someone that clearly knows what they are doing, or brand new. I feel that most likely people purposely overstate how good the condition of their games are.
1. Non-collector who unintentionally describes as 'very good' when most collectors see it as 'good' only.
2. The sellers who deliberately deceives in the hope that it might get them more quick bucks due to better condition status described.
People can argue well just look at the pics! Well fair enough in most cases, but some cases pics cannot tell the whole truth eg. describing MIB games as being "brand new/unused" or a reseal described as "factory sealed". This is what's been bugging me of late, and I feel it's starting to catch on with the group of dodgy sellers. I made another thread regarding the presence of VGA helps in some ways to deter dodgy sellers/repro sellers, as without any certifiable company, the dodgy sellers I feel will be a lot more active then what is happening currently in the collecting scene.
People can argue well just look at the pics! Well fair enough in most cases, but some cases pics cannot tell the whole truth
if the pics aren't good enough ask for more. If they decline don't buy.
I don't entirely understand how the Australian market works, but to me even if something is untouched, once the shrink wrap is off it becomes a used copy. I know your games didn't have shrink wrap, but wouldn't you go insane trying to verify everything as unused? How can they charge more for something unused and mint vs something used and mint when you can't readily tell the difference? there's bound to be some guessing work there
I constantly see games listed as 'Like New' or 'Very Good' when they're in poor condition (stains, dirt, peeling labels, scratches, writing, stickers, etc.). Are they trying to upsell the item or are most of them just clueless?
A bit of a follow-up question, but why are most peopel so horrible at taking care of what they own? People treat games, CDs, DVDs, etc. as if they're frisbees and I often ponder how the hell people can get their products so banged up?? Well, anyway, when I purchase I typically purchase from someone that clearly knows what they are doing, or brand new. I feel that most likely people purposely overstate how good the condition of their games are.
Kids! I cringe every time my son comes to me with a blu ray or his Legoland Dimensions game with disc in hand like a frisbee as you said. He's 5 and I am working on him. At least now he comes to me with the case in hand and says "you put it in for me dad"
I constantly see games listed as 'Like New' or 'Very Good' when they're in poor condition (stains, dirt, peeling labels, scratches, writing, stickers, etc.). Are they trying to upsell the item or are most of them just clueless?
A bit of a follow-up question, but why are most peopel so horrible at taking care of what they own? People treat games, CDs, DVDs, etc. as if they're frisbees and I often ponder how the hell people can get their products so banged up?? Well, anyway, when I purchase I typically purchase from someone that clearly knows what they are doing, or brand new. I feel that most likely people purposely overstate how good the condition of their games are.
Kids! I cringe every time my son comes to me with a blu ray or his Legoland Dimensions game with disc in hand like a frisbee as you said. He's 5 and I am working on him. At least now he comes to me with the case in hand and says "you put it in for me dad"
yep. The worst is seeing of tower of discs with CDs, DVDs, and games all mixed in. And the wrong disc in whatever case you try to open. Kills me
I recently had a seller who did not understand objective condition definitions at all though and insisted that it was like new because the cartridge "hadn't been played much." That guy was pretty annoying.
People can argue well just look at the pics! Well fair enough in most cases, but some cases pics cannot tell the whole truth
if the pics aren't good enough ask for more. If they decline don't buy. I don't entirely understand how the Australian market works, but to me even if something is untouched, once the shrink wrap is off it becomes a used copy. I know your games didn't have shrink wrap, but wouldn't you go insane trying to verify everything as unused? How can they charge more for something unused and mint vs something used and mint when you can't readily tell the difference? there's bound to be some guessing work there
Yes, it's a pain in the a$$ figuring out whether the games are mint-used or mint-new here in Australia. Some lie by deceit, some don't have a clue so they just call it "new" anyway. A lot of the times you can tell (especially with experience), but there are times it's impossible to know if it's new or used, as via photos mint box/cart/manual, does not imply brand new, unless they are seen in real life.
Per eBay:
Very Good
An item that is used but still in very good condition. No damage to the jewel case or item cover, no scuffs, scratches cracks, or holes. The cover art and liner notes are included. The VHS or DVD box is included. The video game instructions and box are included. The teeth of disk holder are undamaged. Minimal wear on the exterior of item. No skipping on CD/DVD. No fuzzy/snowy frames on VHS tape. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
Good
An item in used but good condition. May have minor damage to jewel case including scuffs or cracks, or to the item cover including scuffs, scratches, or cracks. The cover art and liner notes are included for a CD. VHS or DVD box is included. Video game instructions are included. No skipping on CD/DVD. No fuzzy/snowy frames on VHS tape. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
Acceptable
An item with obvious and significant wear but is still operational. May have tears or holes in VHS/DVD box. The video game instructions and box may not be included. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections.
"How much can I get for this game? It's brand new, I've only played it once."
I've been told this before:
"How much can I get for this game? It's brand new, I've only played it once."
BRAND NEW AND SEALED. I only opened it to make sure it worked.
I've been told this before:
"How much can I get for this game? It's brand new, I've only played it once."
BRAND NEW AND SEALED. I only opened it to make sure it worked.
Then it all has scratches on it, pepsi stains, grape cigarillo smoke smell...