How condition affects price (and how to grade your stuff)

Condition is money

The same iPhone can sell for $400 in excellent condition or $200 in poor condition. Getting condition right helps you price correctly and avoid disputes.

The standard grades

Mint / Like New

What it means: Can't tell it from new. No signs of use at all.

• No scratches, scuffs, marks
• Original packaging included
• All accessories present
• May be unopened/sealed

Price: 85-100% of like-new price

Use when: Never used or used once. Perfect storage. Pristine packaging.

Excellent

What it means: Very light use, minimal wear, close to new.

• Minor wear only visible on close inspection
• Fully functional
• Clean, well-maintained
• Most accessories included

Price: 70-85% of like-new price

Use when: Lightly used, carefully maintained, minor cosmetic imperfections only.

Good

What it means: Normal use showing, still functional and presentable.

• Visible wear (light scratches, scuffs)
• All functions work properly
• Reasonably clean
• May be missing minor accessories

Price: 50-70% of like-new price

Use when: Regular use is evident, normal wear and tear, still looks decent.

Fair

What it means: Heavy wear but still works. Shows its age.

• Obvious scratches, dents, wear
• May have cosmetic damage
• Functions work (possibly with issues)
• Accessories likely missing

Price: 30-50% of like-new price

Use when: Heavy use visible, cosmetic damage present, functional but not pretty.

Poor / For Parts

What it means: Major issues. May not work properly. Best for parts or repair.

• Major damage
• May not function properly
• Missing components
• Repair needed

Price: 10-30% of like-new price

Use when: Doesn't work right, major physical damage, only valuable for components.

Price impact example

Using a $500 retail item:

Condition	Price range	Percentage
Mint/New	$425-500	85-100%
Excellent	$350-425	70-85%
Good	$250-350	50-70%
Fair	$150-250	30-50%
Poor	$50-150	10-30%

It varies by category

Electronics: Condition matters most here. Screen scratches tank value. Battery health matters (check cycles). Functional issues = major price drops.

Fashion: Condition matters a lot. Stains, tears, pilling = big price reduction. Designer items need authentication plus good condition. Vintage gets some leeway for age-appropriate wear.

Collectibles: Condition matters enormously. Mint commands huge premiums. Grading services (PSA, CGC) standardize it. Small defects = big price differences.

Furniture: More forgiving. "Patina" can actually add value to antiques. Functionality matters most. Easy fixes have less impact.

How to assess honestly

1. Clean first. Dirt isn't damage. Clean it before you judge.

2. Check everywhere. All surfaces (front, back, sides, bottom), screens, buttons and ports, moving parts, interior and hidden areas.

3. Test functionality. Power on and test all features. Check batteries. Test buttons, ports, connections. Run through typical use.

4. Document everything. Photograph in good lighting. Capture flaws. Note functional issues. Be honest with yourself.

5. Grade conservatively. When in doubt, grade DOWN. Buyers expect what you promise. Under-promising builds trust. Disputes hurt your reputation.

Taking photos that prove condition

Electronics:

1. Front (screen on if possible)
2. Back
3. All sides/edges
4. Close-up of any damage
5. Accessories included

Fashion:

1. Full item (front)
2. Full item (back)
3. Labels/tags
4. Close-up of material
5. Any flaws or wear

General:

1. Overall shot
2. Detail shots
3. Damage documentation
4. Scale reference
5. Accessories/packaging

Natural lighting, clean neutral background, multiple angles, macro shots of flaws, actual item not stock photos.

Common mistakes

Over-grading: Listing better than reality → Returns, disputes, negative feedback. Fix: Be conservative. Let buyers be pleasantly surprised.

Under-grading: Listing worse than reality → Leaving money on the table. Fix: Accurate assessment with good photos showing true condition.

Ignoring functionality: Focusing only on looks → Angry buyers when it doesn't work. Fix: Always test everything.

Missing hidden damage: Not checking everywhere → Buyer discovers what you didn't disclose. Fix: Thorough inspection before listing.

Platform grading terms

eBay: New, Open box, Certified Refurbished, Excellent - Refurbished, Very Good, Good, Acceptable

Amazon: New, Renewed (refurbished), Used - Like New, Used - Very Good, Used - Good, Used - Acceptable

Swappa (electronics): Mint, Good, Fair

Gaming (VGA, Wata): Sealed (with grade), Complete in Box (CIB), Loose (cartridge/disc only)

The bottom line

Accurate grading sets correct expectations, justifies your price with evidence, reduces disputes and returns, and builds reputation for honest dealing.

When using CostBuddy, factor in your item's actual condition. Our prices reflect average condition - adjust based on your specific item.

Take time to assess and photograph properly. It pays off in faster sales, fewer problems, and better prices.