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Condition
Accurate descriptions of an item’s condition is a valuable component of a buyer’s positive experience with Amazon. Sellers are advised to represent their wares carefully, taking assessment of each item before assigning it a given condition for sale. Sellers may offer products with different conditions to provide buyers with more purchasing choices. For example, a product page may offer items in both “new” and “used” condition. Different product categories require different condition listings, and some categories do not permit any condition other than “new.”
General Guidelines
Conditions are described here in detail to help sellers determine what term is most appropriate for each of the items they sell.
- New: An unused, unopened item in its original packaging, including intact protective wrapping, if relevant. Warranty details should be in effect, and part of the product listing.
- Refurbished: An item that has been professionally restored to proper working order. Usually, the process involved repair, cleaning, and inspection that meet manufacturer’s specifications. Warranty from the manufacturer or the refurbisher should be in effect, and part of the product listing. Another term for this condition is “remanufactured.” This condition is not accepted for all product categories; sellers should check if it is applicable for their particular item.
- Used – Like New: An item that appears to have remained untouched, though protective wrapping may be missing. Item should have no signs of wear-and-tear, and should be in their intact original packaging. A rule of thumb is that this condition should be acceptable as a gift.
- Used – Very Good: An item that is in great condition, but shows signs of limited use. Item should have no markings or damage, and should work like new, but may have some faint signs of wear.
- Used – Good: An item that shows wear-and-tear, but works like new, and is in good condition. Item may have markings and other signs of regular use. This condition is not accepted for all product categories; sellers should check if it is applicable for their particular item.
- Used – Acceptable: An item that works perfectly, but shows significant signs of wear-and-tear. Item may have scratches, dents, or markings that indicate its previous use. This condition is not accepted for all product categories; sellers should check if it is applicable for their particular item.
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Items that are deficient in any of the following ways are not permitted for sale via Amazon:
- Does not work perfectly.
- Is dirty or shows signs of staining, corrosion, or mold.
- Is damaged in a way that affects use.
- Is missing essential accompaniments (though missing instructions may be acceptable).
- Requires repair.
- Is a copy, imitation, replica, counterfeit (a.k.a., “knock-off”).
- Is promotional material or sample stock, including advance reading copies of not-yet published books.
- Is not fully viewable because of markings, damage, or the like.
- Is prohibited from selling via Amazon to begin with.
Category-Specific Guidelines
Each of Amazon’s product categories is subject to refinements of the general condition guidelines. They are enumerated below, with additional comment for third-party sellers, where applicable.
Books
- New: Dust-cover is intact, and any supplementary materials, including access codes for software, are functioning and/or valid.
- Used – Like New: Dust-cover is intact, and without damage. No spine creasing is visible. Pages are pristine. “Remainder marks” may be present on page edges, and part of the product listing.
- Used – Very Good: Dust cover is intact, pages do not contain highlighting or handwritten notes, and spine remains undamaged.
- Used – Good: If the book has a dust cover, it is intact, as are all pages. Pages may contain some (but not extensive) highlighting and handwritten notes. Spine may show signs of wear-and-tear. “Library of” front-pieces are acceptable.
- Used – Acceptable: Book cover and pages are intact, but dust cover may be missing. Pages may contain highlighting and handwritten notes, but not to the degree that the text is hidden or illegible.
- Unacceptable: Book contains missing pages, and/or hidden or illegible text.
Books – Collectible
Sellers in this category must be pre-approved by Amazon, and collectible books must be unique, as may be the case with first edition/first printings, inscribed works, or uncorrected proofs of out-of-print books.
Collectible books do not include remainders, book club editions, or former library books.
The criteria for collectible conditions are different from Books – New and Used. Instead, the following conditions are used:
- Collectible – Like New: Book cover and all pages are intact. Dust jacket is intact and undamaged, if relevant. No spine creasing is visible. Nearly unnoticeable flaws are permitted.
- Collectible – Very Good: Pages are intact and do not contain highlighting of handwritten notes. Dust jacket may show wear-and-tear. No spine creasing is visible.
- Collectible – Good: Book cover, all pages, and dust jacket (if relevant) are intact. Spine may show wear-and-tear. Books that deserve the condition “Good” are not usually accepted as collectibles.
- Collectible – Acceptable: Pages are readable, but show significant wear-and-tear. A missing dust jacket is acceptable. Books that deserve the condition “Acceptable” are very rarely accepted as collectible.
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Sellers in this category may require pre-approval by Amazon for certain Electronics listings. Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- New: Complete retail packaging should be intact, and the original manufacturer’s warranty should be included.
- Refurbished: This condition is acceptable in this product category.
- Used – Like New: Item appears to be untouched, and in perfect condition.
- Used – Very Good: Item must be rated 9 or better on a 1–10 point used-equipment scale.
- Used – Good: Item must be rated 8 or better on a 1–10 point used-equipment scale.
- Used – Acceptable: Item must be rated 7 or better on a 1–10 point used-equipment scale.
- Unacceptable: If rated 6 or lower on a 1–10 point used-equipment scale, the item may not be sold via Amazon.
Cell Phones & Accessories
Selling used and refurbished cell phones must be preceded by the following requirements:
- The phone’s already existing account is canceled.
- The SIM card, if relevant, is removed from the phone.
- The phone’s memory is cleared, and factory default settings are restored.
Additional details for condition guidelines are as follows:
- New: Any original manufacturer’s warranty should apply, and be included in the product listing.
- Refurbished: This condition is acceptable in this product category.
- Used – Like New: No signs of wear-and-tear on the item or packaging; original packaging and accessories are intact.
- Used – Very Good: There are some visible signs of wear-and-tear.
- Used – Good: The item is in perfect working condition, though showing wear-and-tear from regular use.
- Used – Acceptable: Wear-and-tear may include scratches, dents, and the like.
Computers
Selling used and refurbished computers must be preceded by the following requirements:
- The hard drive must be restored to its factory default state.
- Any/all included software must likewise be restored. (This may be done by using a computer’s Restore disks or by reformatting the hard drive and reinstalling the software.)
- Any/all documentation and software from the original sale of the computer must be included.
- Compliance with any/all terms of software licensing, including restrictions regarding software copying or transfer.
Additional details for condition guidelines are as follows:
- Refurbished: This condition is acceptable in this product category.
- Used – Like New: Original software and packaging are intact.
- Used – Acceptable: Packaging and non-essential instructions may be damaged or missing.
Electronics
Sellers in this category may require pre-approval by Amazon for certain Electronics listings. Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- Refurbished: This condition is acceptable in this product category.
Home & Garden
Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- Refurbished: This condition is acceptable in this product category.
Industrial & Scientific
Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- New: This is the only acceptable condition in this product category.
Ink & Toner
Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- Acceptable conditions in this product category: New, Remanufactured, Compatible, and Refilled.
- Unacceptable conditions in this product category: Refurbished or Used.
Music – New and Used
Music may be sold on disc, magnetic tape, or vinyl. Protective cases are required when selling CDs and cassettes, where the plastic casing may be replaced in the event of damage, but original cover art and liner notes are required. Club editions should be noted in product listing.
- Used – Like New: No scratches or scuffing are visible on the protective case. All inclusions are in perfect condition. A remainder cut-out is acceptable, and should be included in product listing.
- Used – Very Good: Packaging and inclusions may show slight wear-and-tear.
- Used – Good: Item may have identifying markings from the previous owner.
- Used – Acceptable: The music plays perfectly, but the item is worn, possibly including damaged or missing packaging and inclusions (should be detailed in product listing).
Music – Collectible
Collectibles are unique in some way that makes them valuable to collectors, as may be the case with signed or scarce items, limited edition packaging, or unusual aesthetics.
Sellers should detail the condition of collectibles in product listings, including completeness of packaging and uniqueness.
Musical Instruments
Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- Refurbished: This condition is acceptable in this product category.
Office Products
Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- Refurbished: This condition is acceptable in this product category.
Outdoor Living
Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- Refurbished: This condition is acceptable in this product category.
Software & Computer Games
Sellers in this category may require pre-approval by Amazon for certain Software & Computer Games listings. Sellers who want to market restricted products in this category should contact Amazon. Only complete retail versions of software are permitted for sale on Amazon.
The following are prohibited for sale on Amazon:
- Duplicated software, regardless of format
- Promotional software
- Fulfillment software
- Beta copies
- OEM software
- Back-up copies
- Unauthorized freeware
- Unauthorized shareware
- Academic software with pre-purchase verification
Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above – recognizing that all “Used” items in this category are listed as “Open Box.”
- New: Includes original UPC (Universal Product Code).
- Open Box – Like New: Packaging is pristine. UPC is visible.
- Open Box – Good: UPC should be visible.
- Open Box – Acceptable: Original case or UPC (or both) are missing.
- Unacceptable: All those materials that are prohibited (see above).
Tools & Hardware
Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- Refurbished: This condition is acceptable in this product category.
- User – Good: This condition is acceptable in this product category.
- User – Acceptable: This condition is acceptable in this product category.
Toys & Baby
Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- New or Collectible: These are the only acceptable conditions for the Toys product category.
- New: This is the only acceptable condition for the Baby product category.
Toys & Games – Collectible
Collectible toys and games are unique, exclusive, and rare. The criteria for collectible conditions are different from the general condition guidelines. Instead, the following conditions are used:
- Collectible – Like New: The item is in perfect condition, apparently untouched. Original packaging is intact, though original external wrapping may be missing. Appropriate to give as a gift.
- Collectible – Very Good: The item is in great condition, with some slight wear-and-tear from limited use.
- Collectible – Good: The item is in good condition, with signs of wear-and-tear, but works perfectly well.
Video, DVD & Blu-ray Discs– New and Used
Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- Used – Like New: Codes for digital copies or downloading are included unused.
- Used – Acceptable: The item shows external signs of wear-and-tear, but functions perfectly. Sellers should note all missing/damaged components in product listing.
Video, DVD & Blu-ray Discs– Collectible
Collectibles are unique in some way that makes them valuable to collectors, as may be the case with signed or scarce items, limited edition packaging, or unusual aesthetics.
Video Games
Sellers in this category may require pre-approval by Amazon for certain Video Games listings.
Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- New: Complete retail packaging should be intact, and the original manufacturer’s warranty should be included.
- Used – Like New: Product may not include downloadable content, as activation codes for bonus online material may be missing/expired.
- Used – Very Good: Product may not include downloadable content, as activation codes for bonus online material may be missing/expired.
- Used –Good: Product may not include downloadable content, as activation codes for bonus online material may be missing/expired.
- Used – Acceptable: Missing box or instructions should be included in product listing. Product may not include downloadable content, as activation codes for bonus online material may be missing/expired.
Note: All video games sold via Amazon are U.S. products, unless otherwise specified.
Watches
Sellers in this category must be pre-approved by Amazon, to insure buyer confidence in Amazon for watches.
Details below are in addition to the general condition guidelines above.
- New: This is the only acceptable condition in this product category, and all watches much include original packaging and instructions.
