Question:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title? Uh, it means the box has been opened. The merchandise was either never removed from the box, or if it has, then it was only for visual inspection. Other than finger print smudges, I do not expect to find anything else "wrong". All packaging should also be included. I consider the merchandise used if it has been made to perform its primary function. i.e. play a tape in a VCR, hit a ball with a club, try on a pair of shoes and walked in them, etc.
Well put. — Are you a Hammer Studios fan? Then come join us in alt.fan.hammer-films If it’s not on your server, please request it from your news provider http://www26.brinkster.com/bill67/hammer/
Response:
The problem with using this term on ebay is, your not the only one using it. Among those using it you can find many different definitions, sometimes followed by a disclaimer that the item/items may or may not work and all sales are final. So if someone lists an item this way without explaining exactly what is meant, these questions should be expected. The biggest mistake you can make on ebay is to assume anything. If it’s not clearly stated, ask questions. If a retailer like Circuit City uses this term, you can easily ask what the item is and if you put that item down and pick up another one, the definition does not change. Not so on ebay. Bob
Response:
I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
Uh, it means the box has been opened. The merchandise was either never removed from the box, or if it has, then it was only for visual inspection. Other than finger print smudges, I do not expect to find anything else "wrong". All packaging should also be included. I consider the merchandise used if it has been made to perform its primary function. i.e. play a tape in a VCR, hit a ball with a club, try on a pair of shoes and walked in them, etc. — Lee Cao
Response:
That is exactly what I mean.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title? Depends – if bought from a dealer, it’s usually either a display demo or a customer return that looks new and has a full new-product warranty. But that may not be what you mean. That’s what the description area is for – to explain the title in more detail, so whatever you mean becomes clear.
Response:
I’m assuming you give your definition of new/open box in your description? If so thats what it would mean to me. If not it could be lost freight, store demo, customer return, or someone with a used item in pristine condition trying to pass it off as new. If you don’t say exactly what you mean by new/open box, I’m emailing you before I bid. Bob
IMO, anyone who puts that in an description and doesn’t say whether the item works or contains all the parts is irresponsible and asking for negative feedback if the thing doesn’t work or is incomplete. Open box means no longer sealed. It immediately brings to mind a return. Why did the person return it? No one knows probably, including the seller who may have bought a ton of open box stuff. Did the original purchaser hate it and return it intact? Was it non-working? Did they just need a piece so they bought the whole item, took what they needed and returned the rest? Did they pull the old switcheroo? Just saying New/Open box doesn’t tell the whole story. it just gives the seller something to hide behind when the item doesn’t work. Does the auction also say As Is or All Sales Final? In wonder if the seller, who took the time to post his/her question will bother to answer the several questions posed in this thread.
Response:
To us it can mean one of a few things. Either it was used once as a display item at a trade show for an internet retailer. Or a return (the company has a 7 day return policy and inspects items upon return). I know that in places like the Wiz, Circuit City, Best Buy when they sell "open box" thats what they mean so I thought that it was an accepted term. Am I wrong? Almost everyone who has requested my explanation agreed that it was fair but seeing all your responses I am begining to wonder.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
Response:
LOL! Your not kidding. I have included a note saying that anyone who is not sure as to what open box ,eans should e mail me.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – One thing you learn on the ‘net is that "common knowledge" is very uncommon. You’d swear some buyers (and sellers) have never even been out of the house. To us it can mean one of a few things. Either it was used once as a display item at a trade show for an internet retailer. Or a return (the company has a 7 day return policy and inspects items upon return). I know that in places like the Wiz, Circuit City, Best Buy when they sell "open box" thats what they mean so I thought that it was an accepted term. Am I wrong? Almost everyone who has requested my explanation agreed that it was fair but seeing all your responses I am begining to wonder. I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
Response:
One thing you learn on the ‘net is that "common knowledge" is very uncommon. You’d swear some buyers (and sellers) have never even been out of the house. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – To us it can mean one of a few things. Either it was used once as a display item at a trade show for an internet retailer. Or a return (the company has a 7 day return policy and inspects items upon return). I know that in places like the Wiz, Circuit City, Best Buy when they sell "open box" thats what they mean so I thought that it was an accepted term. Am I wrong? Almost everyone who has requested my explanation agreed that it was fair but seeing all your responses I am begining to wonder. I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
Response:
To us it can mean one of a few things. Either it was used once as a display item at a trade show for an internet retailer. Or a return (the company has a 7 day return policy and inspects items upon return). I know that in places like the Wiz, Circuit City, Best Buy when they sell "open box" thats what they mean so I thought that it was an accepted term.
I think that "open box" in a retail store carries with it a degree of explanation from context (and an absence of the claim of "new") that yours doesn’t. I also think that you may not be getting the same buyers on eBay that you would in those places, so even if you were using a term that was completely clear to a certain segment of customers, it could still perplex the rest of us innocents. I’m not sure there *is* a short term that would fit into a title and explain the situation to general buyers, though. Deborah Stevenson
Response:
I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
Depends – if bought from a dealer, it’s usually either a display demo or a customer return that looks new and has a full new-product warranty. But that may not be what you mean. That’s what the description area is for – to explain the title in more detail, so whatever you mean becomes clear.
Response:
I’m assuming you give your definition of new/open box in your description? If so thats what it would mean to me. If not it could be lost freight, store demo, customer return, or someone with a used item in pristine condition trying to pass it off as new. If you don’t say exactly what you mean by new/open box, I’m emailing you before I bid. Bob
Response:
I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title? Depends – if bought from a dealer, it’s usually either a display demo or a customer return that looks new and has a full new-product warranty. But that may not be what you mean. That’s what the description area is for – to explain the title in more detail, so whatever you mean becomes clear.
NEVER put anything in a title that is open to misinterpretation. — Many thanks, Don Lancaster Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552 Please visit my GURU’s LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com
Response:
I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
I had to open the box to take pictures for the auction? I’d explain it. Otherwise bidders are open to guessing: it was opened to show it to someone who didn’t buy it, it was on display for some period, or it was bought and returned unused.
Response:
I would think that the item was never used for its intended purpose, but the box was looked into, just to see the contents. Doris
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
Response:
To me that would mean New, never used. Box open, item removed to look at, but not used at all. Melissa I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
This would be my interpretation as well. — Are you a Hammer Studios fan? Then come join us in alt.fan.hammer-films If it’s not on your server, please request it from your news provider http://www26.brinkster.com/bill67/hammer/
Response:
I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
Honestly, I’m not sure–it’s a term that confuses me. I’d probably email you and ask "Does that mean that though the box has been opened, the item is nonetheless new and unused?" And if that is what you mean, do you explain how you know the item is unused despite the box’s being opened? Deborah Stevenson
Response:
I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
Well, you’ve got a number of answers, all generally in agreement. What did you mean when you used it in the title? If it was an auction for an overhead projector, I know what the problem is, as that auction has the entire auction description in a JPG, which contains the description "Used Once-Like Brand New". There’s one hell of a difference between "Used Once-Like Brand New" and "New-Open Box". I’d also never bid on an auction with the description in a JPG, as neither party has any real way of proving what the description said when the buyers bid on it. Richard Ward
Response:
My followup to this message from "news.bellatlantic.net" bottom-posting, except when I forget: I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
I’d think: "Customer Return, Found in Dumpster."
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title? Well, you’ve got a number of answers, all generally in agreement. What did you mean when you used it in the title? If it was an auction for an overhead projector, I know what the problem is, as that auction has the entire auction description in a JPG, which contains the description "Used Once-Like Brand New". There’s one hell of a difference between "Used Once-Like Brand New" and "New-Open Box". I’d also never bid on an auction with the description in a JPG, as neither party has any real way of proving what the description said when the buyers bid on it. Richard Ward
The only other auction I found with this phrase was for a "Textile Sewing Positioner" whatever that is. Hopefully the OP can clear up the context for us. — Are you a Hammer Studios fan? Then come join us in alt.fan.hammer-films If it’s not on your server, please request it from your news provider http://www26.brinkster.com/bill67/hammer/"
Response:
I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
Response:
I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
I’d assume it was a new item but had been removed from the box at one point.
Response:
To me that would mean New, never used. Box open, item removed to look at, but not used at all. Melissa
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had many buyers misunderstand my meaning, what would you think it means if you saw that title?
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