Customer information
Condition Grading Policy
SellInSales separates where stock comes from from the condition in which it is sold. A product may be a customer return, overstock item or opened-package item, but it must still receive its own condition grade and disclosure notes before being listed.
1. Inventory Source vs. Condition Grade
Inventory source explains how an item entered stock. Condition grade explains the current state of the item being sold. These are not the same thing and should never be merged into a single vague label.
Overstock
Surplus stock that was not sold through the original retail channel.
Customer Return
A product returned after purchase. This describes source, not quality grade.
Opened Packaging
The packaging was opened, but the product may still be unused or nearly unused.
Refurbished Intake
An item that has been inspected, reset, repaired or refreshed before resale.
Used Intake
A pre-owned item that shows signs of previous handling or everyday use.
Damaged Intake
An item received with visible damage, defects or missing parts requiring special disclosure.
2. Approved Consumer-Facing Grades
Each product page should show one main grade. The grade must match the item's functional status, cosmetic condition and included accessories.
New
Unused and sold as new stock.
- No visible signs of prior consumer use
- Expected to be fully functional
- Packaging status is stated separately
Open Box
Opened packaging with little or no use.
- May have broken seals or opened packaging
- Minimal handling marks only
- Functionality and included accessories are listed explicitly
Like New
Very light signs of handling and strong cosmetic condition.
- Fully functional based on available testing
- Small or hard-to-notice cosmetic wear only
- Suitable when the item is not brand-new but presents close to it
Very Good
Light cosmetic wear with normal resale presentation.
- Fully functional
- Minor scratches, scuffs or packaging wear may exist
- Any meaningful defect must be listed before purchase
Good
Clear signs of use, but still suitable for intended use.
- Visible wear is expected
- Functionality must still be clearly stated
- Missing accessories or cosmetic defects must be disclosed
Fair
Heavier cosmetic wear or limitations, but still offered for use.
- Noticeable scratches, dents, stains or wear may be present
- The listing must explain all material limitations
- Only sold when still suitable for the stated purpose
Damaged
Visible or known defects that materially affect use or presentation.
- Only listed with clear fault disclosure
- All known defects must be highlighted before checkout
- Not used for items that are unsafe to place on the consumer market
For Parts / Repair
Not fully functional and intended only for repair, parts or recovery.
- Listed only where lawful and appropriate for the product type
- Unsafe products are excluded rather than listed
- This is a special category and never a substitute for proper fault disclosure
3. Mandatory Listing Disclosure
Before a product can be published, the listing should include the following information in plain language:
If a material defect is known, it must be shown before checkout and not buried in later support messages.
4. Internal No-Go Rules
The following listing practices should be blocked by policy and future admin tooling:
- Using stock source alone as a substitute for condition disclosure.
- Describing worn items as new, premium or like-new without evidence.
- Hiding missing accessories, activation locks, battery issues or packaging damage.
- Listing any item whose safety status is uncertain in a way that invites ordinary consumer use.