"New" Item condition classification puts an end to Collector item sales!

[genrel]

I'm gobsmacked at the narrow minded stupidity of this "New" set of rules for condition of goods. It only allows for strickly New, Used or Refurbished. If you have collectable items which were purchased new  but NEVER used i.e. Match Box Toys or other collectables or goods, you can no longer state they are in New / Unused condition because New/Unused condition NOW means NO further explaination of the goods as this is deemed unnecessary for New/Unused items, which is rediculous if the item is Vintage.  If you tried to detail the age or conditions under which it has been kept or any slight marks to the packaging, it won't be allowed as UNUSED. This says to me, Collectors, Vintage and Antique sellers are no longer wanted unless they now state everything as USED or Refurbished! It means we now can't provide any details if we use "NEW/Unused" or we put our goods up under "WRONG" headings....just stupid. A special "Vintage Unused" catagory should exist to allow correct description.

[digital*ghost]

I can appreciate what you're saying about not being able to use a fully appropriate item contition, but I'm not sure why it would mean an end to sales altogether - do people often filter out everything except the new / unused items in the vintage / collectable market?

[putney32]

I can appreciate what you're saying about not being able to use a fully appropriate item contition, but I'm not sure why it would mean an end to sales altogether - do people often filter out everything except the new / unused items in the vintage / collectable market?

YES

[genrel]

Of course, collectables, vintage and antiques aren't all unused and perhaps that was an overstatement but a lot of items, in this bracket, are unused, pretty much pristine and Ebay has been a great place to sell such items but I get the impression the big wigs at the top have little to no interest in section of the market and that is what is annoying me.

Linens and manchester are a perfect point in question. All old linens came pre-finished and if not kept in a very dry well ventilated situation, they develop "rust" a nasty type of mould which just bites in. The answer is to rinse out all the dressing and only starch before selling. However, the mere action of washing or rinsing an unused piece of cloth, now seems to make it "used" and that is a nonsence. It requires mentioning when selling and ebay aren't allowing that now under UNUSED. So do we know tell our buyers we can't present items at their best, because Ebay won't allow it?

[the3coopers]

All old linens came pre-finished and if not kept in a very dry well ventilated situation, they develop "rust" a nasty type of mould which just bites in. The answer is to rinse out all the dressing and only starch before selling. However, the mere action of washing or rinsing an unused piece of cloth, now seems to make it "used" and that is a nonsence. It requires mentioning when selling and ebay aren't allowing that now under UNUSED. So do we know tell our buyers we can't present items at their best, because Ebay won't allow it?

Well, as a seller I am totally confused about what the problem is.

 There is no Item Specific called "Unused", so I'm not sure where you are getting that from. The item is either New, or it is not new.

If you've washed the linen, then as far as I am concerned it's been USED. However you may choose to call that "New: Never Used" and the clarify what you mean by it elsewhere in the description. It's up to you.

There are plenty of Item Condition choices in most categories. Just choose the one that suits best what you are selling. If you don't like the Item Specifics that eBay provides you with as defaults, then currently you can simply ADD YOUR OWN. For example, you could add "Cleanliness: Freshly Washed"

However, in the NEW changes coming in October, you get EVEN MORE choices...

http://pages2.ebay.com.au/Hub/May_2012_seller_changes/Boost_your_sales/Item_condition

So, you can add additional custom info providing that you don't state it's "new". If you do state it's new, then nothing changes for you... you just continue on in EXACTLY the same way that you always have.

OK, maybe I am missing something - could you explain what the problem is?

[the3coopers]

It requires mentioning when selling and ebay aren't allowing that now under UNUSED. So do we know tell our buyers we can't present items at their best, because Ebay won't allow it?

Oh... is that what you are getting upset about?

There is nothing that says that you cannot mention anything. It just says that there is a new extra feature that is coming that applies to some listings, but not yours.

The changes don't STOP you doing anything...

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How can I explain better? Let's say that you sell both new things and used things. Ebay says that for used things, there is an extra feature coming in October, which allows you to explain Item Condition in a more prominant position in the listing, rather than needing to do it in the description text.

The October change is not mandatory - you can choose to use the additional field, or you may ignore it. Therefore:

a) On some of your Used items you might decide add a comment if you wish.

b) On other Used items, you can decide not to add a comment - so these stay the same as what you do currently.

c) The change doesn't apply to New things, so these also stay the same as what you do currently.