The Condition of Goods On Half.com
October 11th 2006 22:12
One thing that makes people nervous about buying a used item off Half.com is the condition it will arrive in. We're dealing with "used" merchandise. No one wants to spend hard earned money on a piece of junk.
I have two pieces of good news on this count. First, when you’re looking at buying media, it doesn’t have to be in shiny new condition to work. If I go out and buy a brand new book, within a few weeks, it’s going to begin to look used. Books, movies, video games, and CDs are not bought for their shiny cases, but so we can enjoy what’s on them.
Still, I don’t like getting something that really looks like it’s been through the ringer. The good news is that most stuff on half.com doesn’t have that problem.
Half.com breaks up all the goods it sells by condition. They have criteria that sellers have to fit their item into based on what the actual condition of the item is. While they break it down by the type of item on half.com, I’ll give you the cliff notes version for buyers:
Like New or Brand New:
Simply put, the item looks no different than if you went down to Waldenbooks or Barnes and Noble bought it. Sometimes you remove the shrink wrap and you still have that new book smell. Getting one of these books is a highlight of a bargain hunter’s career. “Doesn’t smell like a $5 book.”
Very Good
Basically, this item works fine, but you can tell it’s been used, albeit lightly.
Good
This is not all that good from an aesthetics viewpoint, but it still works.
Acceptable:
For me, “Acceptable” items generally aren’t. The words “beaten up” are used by half.com to describe books in acceptable condition and that’s about the case with most of the acceptable items. You’re looking at torn covers, weak binding, missing CD lyrics, and missing video game instructions. Basically, these are in thrift store condition.
So, if you’re truly concerned with aesthetics, just stay away from any item that’s rated less than “very good.” One tip I’ll offer is that if the item is in “Good” or worse condition, don’t buy it if it doesn’t have an explanation of why the seller chose to rate the item that way. If you do see a “Good” item that looks like it could be a bargain, click on their feedback number and click contact member and ask them about the condition of the item.
I have two pieces of good news on this count. First, when you’re looking at buying media, it doesn’t have to be in shiny new condition to work. If I go out and buy a brand new book, within a few weeks, it’s going to begin to look used. Books, movies, video games, and CDs are not bought for their shiny cases, but so we can enjoy what’s on them.
Still, I don’t like getting something that really looks like it’s been through the ringer. The good news is that most stuff on half.com doesn’t have that problem.
Half.com breaks up all the goods it sells by condition. They have criteria that sellers have to fit their item into based on what the actual condition of the item is. While they break it down by the type of item on half.com, I’ll give you the cliff notes version for buyers:
Like New or Brand New:
Simply put, the item looks no different than if you went down to Waldenbooks or Barnes and Noble bought it. Sometimes you remove the shrink wrap and you still have that new book smell. Getting one of these books is a highlight of a bargain hunter’s career. “Doesn’t smell like a $5 book.”
Very Good
Basically, this item works fine, but you can tell it’s been used, albeit lightly.
Good
This is not all that good from an aesthetics viewpoint, but it still works.
Acceptable:
For me, “Acceptable” items generally aren’t. The words “beaten up” are used by half.com to describe books in acceptable condition and that’s about the case with most of the acceptable items. You’re looking at torn covers, weak binding, missing CD lyrics, and missing video game instructions. Basically, these are in thrift store condition.
So, if you’re truly concerned with aesthetics, just stay away from any item that’s rated less than “very good.” One tip I’ll offer is that if the item is in “Good” or worse condition, don’t buy it if it doesn’t have an explanation of why the seller chose to rate the item that way. If you do see a “Good” item that looks like it could be a bargain, click on their feedback number and click contact member and ask them about the condition of the item.
| 59 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
