Most resellers describe condition with words they invented. "Excellent." "Great shape." "Minor imperfections." None of those mean anything you can check. Our grades map to nine specific condition codes, each with a defined inspection outcome and a fixed discount off the reference price, and the same rubric is used by every inspector on the floor.
Grade A covers three of them. Sealed means factory-sealed and unopened in its original retail packaging — we did not open it, and neither did anyone else. Brand New / Open Box means the item is new and unused, but the box was opened, usually by us to verify the contents are there. Like New means no visible wear at all; it looks and works exactly as a new unit would. Sealed carries no condition discount, New / Open Box carries 5%, Like New 10%.
Grade B is where cosmetics start to show. Dents and Scratches means fully functional with light surface marks or blemishes. Used - Minor Wear means 100% functional with visible dents, deeper scratches, or finish wear. Both carry a 15% condition discount. The distinction we care about is that function is unaffected — a Grade B item does its job.
Grade C is honest wear. Used - Good is previously owned and regularly used, cleaned and tested, showing standard signs of use (20% off). Used - Major Wear has significant cosmetic damage — heavy scratches, deep dents — but still works (25%). Incomplete Lot means verified functional but missing non-essential accessories, like a charging cable or a manual (30%). If something is missing, we say what.
Grade D is Salvage / As-Is, at 60% off. Sold for parts, refurbishment, or repair projects. It may not function at all. This is the only grade with no returns, and we label it plainly rather than burying it — a salvage item sold as "used" would be the single fastest way to lose a customer.
Two rules sit behind the whole system. First, function overrides appearance: an item that fails a functionality test is graded D and routed to repair regardless of how clean it looks. Second, the grade is assigned before pricing, not after — the discount follows the grade, so no one can nudge a condition upward to justify a price.
Grades A, B and C are returnable within 3 days. Grade D is not. That is the whole policy, and it is the reason the rubric has to be strict: if the grade is accurate, returns stay rare, and prices stay low for everyone.
