how used is used?

pinkgem

I haven't listed any clothes on ebay for ages but I had a clearout after xmas and listed a few items the other day.

One particular item, just a casual top, was listed as used and described as good condition. I didn't describe it as new, like new, excellent or even very good. There is nothing wrong with it, it just doesn't look brand new because it has been used/worn and I prefer to play down the condition so that hopefully no one is disappointed with anything.

So I get a question "Interested in this top has it been used much"

I reply that it has been worn a few times and is in good condition.

I thought that would be the end of it but no, I get another question "Many thanks for your reply, sorry for so many questions but does it look worn, or would it look more new than worn. Hope you can answer this."

Seriously, am I meant to document how many times I wear something so that if I ever decide to sell it I can be more specific about exactly how many times or how many hours it has been worn for?
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Do I really need to spell out to her that used means it has been worn, and good condition means that it shows slight signs of wear, as in it does not look new and is therefore not in like new condition.

I'm really not sure what kind of answer she is expecting. Obviously it looks more worn than new because it has been worn and isn't new anymore, hence why I listed it as used and didn't try and pretend it was new like some sellers do, and I can't remember how many times it has been worn if thats what she wants to know, for goodness sake.
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rdp1980

Tempting to stick this person on the blocked bidders list... sounds like she could be hassle.

I would just say how many years you have had the item, whether you only wore it on special occasions, whether it has ever faded in the wash, and if it looks bobbled.

Offer to take some close up photos, if you can be bothered, but if you're trying to flog a cheap top at a cheap price then make that clear.

pinkgem

rdp1980 wrote: »

Tempting to stick this person on the blocked bidders list... sounds like she could be hassle.

I would just say how many years you have had the item, whether you only wore it on special occasions, whether it has ever faded in the wash, and if it looks bobbled.

Offer to take some close up photos, if you can be bothered, but if you're trying to flog a cheap top at a cheap price then make that clear.

yes blocked bidders list did cross my mind. you know when you just get that feeling about someone who could turn out to be a right royal pita?

i honestly don't know if i have had it for 6 months or 2 years, i have a few similar tops and they have all been purchased in that kind of time period. i don't know if it has faded because i think it is meant to have that kind of look about it and i don't have a brand new one to compare it to.

i really can't be bothered to take close up photos of it, it was enough effort for me to wash, iron and take photos of everything in the first place, just for a few quid.

it's just a fairly cheap high street branded casual top, nothing special about it

zenseeker

It seems rather unfair to block someone just because they would like to know as much about an item as possible before bidding. Ironically in other threads people are actively encouraged to ask as many questions as possible if they are unsure about an item, but then these forums are littered with hypocrisy.

pinkgem

that is why I haven't blocked them, but I don't want her ruining my feedback when she is disappointed at not receiving a used good condition top in like new condition.

i understand you'd want to know as much about an item as possible before bidding, but this is not an expensive item at all. it is just a cheap casual top that is described as used good condition.

she obviously wants a new or like new top, not one that shows even the slightest sign of wear so i'd probably be doing us both a favour if i did block her.

chja

You know that if person wins, they are not going to be happy with the item... save yourself a lot of hassle now!

rdp1980

pinkgem wrote: »

yes blocked bidders list did cross my mind. you know when you just get that feeling about someone who could turn out to be a right royal pita?

Yep, sometimes you just get that feeling.

Thankfully so far when I have had "the feeling" they have been outbid!

steviebabes

Just put 'well worn' in the description and your sure to get a premium price for it!

jasmineswhiskers

It seems to me the buyer is being sensible - plenty of past posts on here that someone bought clothing off ebay then complained it's filthy, faded, smelly etc. If you cannot say it is 'excellent and like new' but worn a 'few' times (a little vague) then be honest and say it is a little jaded and showing signs of wear.

pinkgem

jasmineswhiskers wrote: »

It seems to me the buyer is being sensible - plenty of past posts on here that someone bought clothing off ebay then complained it's filthy, faded, smelly etc. If you cannot say it is 'excellent and like new' but worn a 'few' times (a little vague) then be honest and say it is a little jaded and showing signs of wear.

its not stained, marked, dirty or smelly. its clean, freshly washed and ironed and from a non smoking household. it has been worn a few times, i can't be exact about the amount of times because i didn't count.

its not like new because its a used top, so obviously show signs of wear, hence not being listed as like new. i don't think it has faded since new but its meant to have that kind of look about it, a kind of washed/worn look, i'm not sure how to describe it - eg like fat face items.

well anyway, i told her that it looked more worn than new, which i thought should be pretty obvious because it was listed as used good condition and not new/like new/excellent

minnie123

If it was me I would not want her to buy because she sounds difficult - so I would probably write back saying it is used, faded and bobbly then she won't bid.