eBay item condition grades are standardized labels that sellers apply to listings to communicate the physical state of an item to buyers before purchase. The 6 primary eBay condition grades are: New (unused, in original packaging), New Other (unused, without original packaging or with damaged packaging), Certified Refurbished (professionally restored by an eBay-authorized refurbisher), Seller Refurbished (restored by the seller), Used (previously owned with normal wear), and For Parts or Not Working (defective or incomplete). The condition grade a seller assigns affects buyer trust, purchase conversion rate, sale price, and the seller’s liability under the Money Back Guarantee for not-as-described claims.
eBay item condition is defined as the seller-assigned label that communicates the physical and functional state of the listed item using eBay’s standardized condition vocabulary. The condition system provides a common language between sellers and buyers so buyers can evaluate item quality before purchase. Condition grades are required on most eBay categories and are one of the primary buyer search filters.
What Are the eBay Item Condition Grades and What Does Each Mean?
eBay uses 6 condition grades: New (sealed, original packaging, never used), New Other (unused but original packaging missing or damaged), Certified Refurbished (professionally restored, eBay-verified), Seller Refurbished (seller-restored to working condition), Used (previously owned, functional, normal wear), and For Parts or Not Working (non-functional or missing parts). The condition grade must accurately reflect the item’s state; misrepresentation triggers Money Back Guarantee not-as-described claims.
New condition means the item is in original, unused condition in its original manufacturer’s packaging, sealed. A sealed-box iPhone is New condition. Opening the box changes the condition to New Other, even if the phone is never used.
New Other is the condition for items that are unused but whose original packaging is missing, damaged, or opened. Items received as gifts, display models, or warehouse finds that are never used but lack original sealed packaging are New Other. New Other typically sells for 5% to 20% less than sealed New items.
Certified Refurbished is an eBay-verified condition tier available only to sellers who pass eBay’s refurbishment program requirements. Certified Refurbished items are restored to like-new functional and cosmetic condition by the seller and backed by a minimum 1-year seller warranty. eBay displays a prominent badge on Certified Refurbished listings.
Seller Refurbished is a seller-applied condition for items the seller has restored to working order. No third-party verification is required. The seller describes the refurbishment work performed in the listing description.
Used is the most common condition grade for secondhand items. Used items show wear from prior use. The degree of wear must be described in the listing. A laptop with cosmetic scratches is Used condition. A laptop with a cracked screen should be listed as Used with specific condition notes, or For Parts if the screen crack affects functionality.
For Parts or Not Working is the condition for items that do not function as intended or are missing major components. Buyers of For Parts items typically purchase for repair, component salvage, or as-is projects.
How Does Item Condition Affect eBay Selling Price?
Item condition is the second most important pricing factor after brand and model, because it directly signals the buyer’s expected experience with the item. The table below shows typical condition-based price differences for a mid-range consumer electronics item where the New sealed price is $300.
| Condition Grade | Typical Price (% of New Sealed) | Example Price on $300 Item |
|---|---|---|
| New (sealed) | 100% | $300 |
| New Other | 80% to 90% | $240 to $270 |
| Certified Refurbished | 70% to 85% | $210 to $255 |
| Seller Refurbished | 60% to 75% | $180 to $225 |
| Used (excellent) | 55% to 70% | $165 to $210 |
| Used (good) | 40% to 55% | $120 to $165 |
| Used (fair) | 25% to 40% | $75 to $120 |
| For Parts or Not Working | 10% to 25% | $30 to $75 |
Price percentages vary significantly by category. Vintage items and collectibles in Used condition may sell at multiples of their new price if they are rare and in demand. Technology items depreciate rapidly, so Used condition items may sell at 40% to 60% of the original new price.
Sellers who upgrade an item’s condition through cleaning, minor repairs, or refurbishment can increase the sale price by moving the item to a higher condition grade. Cleaning a Used (good) camera to Used (excellent) condition may justify a $20 to $50 price increase while costing $5 in cleaning materials.
What Happens When an eBay Seller Uses the Wrong Condition Grade?
Using the wrong condition grade is the primary cause of not-as-described Money Back Guarantee claims. A buyer who receives an item in worse condition than listed can open a not-as-described claim through the Resolution Center. eBay resolves not-as-described claims in the buyer’s favor when the buyer provides photo evidence that contradicts the seller’s condition description. The seller funds the full refund and return shipping.
A seller who lists a scratched laptop as New Other (claiming unused condition) and the buyer receives it expecting near-new appearance will open a not-as-described claim when they discover the scratches. eBay’s Money Back Guarantee requires the item to match the listing description. New Other means unused; a scratched item contradicts that description.
Condition notes in the item description add specificity beyond the grade label. A seller listing a Used laptop can add condition notes: “Grade B: functional, cosmetic scratches on lid (see photos), no damage to screen or keyboard, battery holds 80% original charge.” These notes set buyer expectations accurately and reduce claims from buyers who receive condition-appropriate items.
Sellers who list items as For Parts or Not Working must be truthful about the specific defects. A phone listed “For Parts: cracked screen” cannot have additional defects (water damage, bent frame) that were not disclosed. Undisclosed defects in For Parts listings still generate not-as-described claims.
Does eBay Item Condition Affect Final Value Fees?
eBay item condition does not affect the Final Value Fee rate. A New sealed iPhone and a For Parts iPhone listed by the same casual seller in the same category both pay 13.6% Final Value Fee. Condition affects the sale price, which determines the absolute dollar amount of the fee, but not the percentage rate applied to that price.
The absence of condition-based fee rates means sellers pay proportionally higher absolute fees on higher-condition, higher-price items. A New sealed camera at $500 generates $68 in Final Value Fees. The same camera in Used condition at $300 generates $40.80 in Final Value Fees. The rate is identical; only the dollar amount differs.
Sellers of For Parts items occasionally receive higher final prices than expected when collectors or repair technicians compete for specific components. A For Parts smartphone with a functional motherboard may sell at $80 when the same motherboard sells for $120 as a standalone part on specialized repair platforms. eBay’s auction format allows condition-appropriate buyers to establish the true clearing price.