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Know Condition Codes and What to Expect
As you fill your specific niche within the eBay marketplace, it is critical to note the condition code of the inventory you source prior to purchase. The definitions will help you get a good idea of what to expect:
New –
New assets are in original packaging and possess all of the characteristics/qualities/features as advertised by the manufacturer. Traditionally, they are overstock items that were never offered for sale in a retail environment or used in any way.
What this means for resellers: Typically, you can resell these items as-is. If you buy in bulk, the price per unit will be higher than with other condition categories, but you will also be able to resell for closer to retail prices.
Refurbished - Refurbished assets are used but have been inspected, tested, and restored to full working condition. They rarely come in original packaging and seldom contain any documentation or any additional parts and/or accessories. Due to their operational history, refurbished assets possess noticeable cosmetic defects and blemishes, including but not limited to dents, scratches, and signs of age.
What this means for resellers: These items are great for resale since it allows an end consumer to purchase a higher end product for less than the original retail value. eBay sellers that are willing to spend just a little bit of time cleaning up the item will achieve greater resale value.
Shelf Pulls - Shelf pulls were previously available for sale in a retail environment but were never sold. They usually possess one or more price tags and/or stickers, indicating multiple markdowns, and have been exposed to appreciable customer contact. In addition, since most of these items are sent through a reverse supply chain (e.g. from a retailer back to a centralized warehouse), they can show signs of further handling. Accordingly, Shelf Pulls may exhibit a wide range of individual product and package conditions that can differ substantially from the original manufacturing.
What this means for resellers: eBay sellers should purchase these goods with eyeswideopen. While these goods are frequently in good resale condition, bulk lots may have some items that have significant cosmetic blemishes. As with refurbished items, if you are willing to put in a little bit of time to add value to the item you can achieve higher resale value.
Returns - Returned merchandise was sold to a customer, who then either physically brought the item back to a store or mailed it to a specified location. Reasons for returning a product may not have any correlation to its usefulness (i.e., size, color, model, etc.), and as a result that product may be in fine working order. The majority of returns, however, do have some operational and/or cosmetic problem. Depending on a company's return policy, these items may also reflect a measurable amount of use. In addition, since most of these items are sent through a reverse supply chain (e.g. from a customer back to a store or a centralized warehouse), they can show signs of further handling. They generally do not come in original packaging and often do not have any of the advertised documentation or additional parts and/or accessories. Accordingly, returns can exhibit a wide range of individual product and package conditions that can differ substantially from the original manufacturing.
What this means for resellers: eBay sellers should note carefully that returns can come in a wide variety of conditions. In general, you should expect that you will have to add some value to these items in order to resell them to the end consumer on eBay. This could involve anything from replacing a missing power cord to doing light refurbishment of the item.
Salvage - Salvage assets have been identified as defective for reasons concerning their functionality, appearance, or both. Salvage assets usually can only be used for parts.
What this means for resellers: As an eBay seller, these are not items you will be able to resell in their current state. However, if you are in the business of repair/refurbishment, these items can provide parts that you may need to complete the repair of other items.
Note that you should always fully disclose the condition of any merchandise that you sell on eBay to avoid confusion or misunderstanding on the part of your buyer.
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