Tuesday, August 28, 2012

“New” vs. “Un-Used” vs. “Excellent Condition” Terms Seller’s use when selling China

Here’s another Big Debate! I have had so many emails about this subject!
So I have talked with both the Manufacture’s and Retailers and this is the industry standard:


“New” – Never Before Purchased or Not Previously Owned. Currently in Production, in original packaging, purchased from the Manufacturer through retail or 3rd party distribution. **If the china did not come directly from the manufacturer or 3rd party distribution it’s not “New”
 

“New, Discontinued” – Not in Current Production, Never Before Purchased or Not Previously Owned. In original packaging purchased from the Manufacturer through retail or 3rd party distribution, usually sold on Clearance. **If the china did not come directly from the manufacturer or 3rd party distribution it’s not “New”
 

“Un-Used” "Never Used" - In original packaging, has never been washed or removed from Original packaging, ***If you are not the original owner, then there is no way to know if the china has “never been used”


“Excellent Condition” – No Visible Usage marks. No chips, no scratches, or cracks, no loss of trim or discoloration to pattern, may have been washed.
Most of the time this is china that was “displayed only”


"Good Condition” - Some Usage, Minimal usage marks. No chips or cracks and no loss of trim or discoloration to pattern.
***Most china fits in this category***


Fair Condition” – Visible Usage, some surface scratches, loss of trim, fading of pattern or colors, some stains.


“Poor Condition” - Damaged, cracked, chipped, no trim

2 comments:

  1. This is valuable. But even "new" from a reatailer can be dubious. I purchased 2 place settings in the Rosa Pattern from Macys Online which distributes Royal Albert legitimately (I believe any ways) and the box i got in the mail Had the Cups and saucers in boxes, but the plates were not in their orginal boxes and instead were wrapped in shipping paper. This makes me wonder if they had been used and returned, or even on display in the store. Makes you wonder how to know for sure what is new!

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  2. Now-a-days place settings are not pre - packed together most of the time.... Back in the 1970s to 1990s they came together in a suitcase style box. But now most large retailers make bulk orders...Teacups and saucers are most of the time prepackaged, but Plates and Large Serving pieces are not. The plates could have been Part of a Bulk order. If I remember correctly, large retailers, can order plates in 25 or 50 lot cases. So since you ordered them on line and didn't order a whole case...they had to re-wrap them. I would say if you ordered them online they were not displayed in a store and most online orders comes from Macys main warehouse facilities.

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