Used Cameras Gradings - the truth

[paulatukcamera]

Now that we are all eBayers I came across this and thought "how true"

www.pacificrimcamera.com/storys/milan/95-02x.htm

Condition Codes

New, in the box ------------ almost new, with a box
New ------------ almost new without a box
As new ------------ used, but sold 'as new'
Like new ------------ used, but not engraved
Mint ------------ not heavily used or engraved
Ex+++ ------------ not heavily used, may be engraved
Ex+ ------------ heavily used and engraved
Ex ------------ still recognizable as a camera
Ex- ------------ no longer recognizable as a camera
Very good ------------ may not be a camera

Will cleanup ------------ ugly and dirty
Repairable ------------ broken
Restorable ------------ badly broken
Restored ------------ cleaned by dealer
Professionally ------------ by someone else (restored, cleaned, adjusted, calibrated, serviced)
Recently ------------ at some time

Brassing ------------ worn out
Ding ------------ bashed repeatedly
Cleaning marks ------------ any scratch, gouge, or chip in the lens
Fungus ------------ mushrooms growing between elements
Hazy, foggy, etc. ------------ lens cleaned with steel wool and abrasives
Inop ------------ badly broken
Sluggish ------------ something moves, but not in useful manner

Apologies if you've seen it before

Paul

[herron]

Paul:
I liked this other part of the descriptions: ;D

Antique....................older than the dealer
Old..........................as old as the dealer
Early........................younger than the dealer
Classic......................as old as the dealers oldest kid
Collectible.................for sale
Modern.....................once used by the dealers kid, batteries are dead, may be broken
User.........................not completely broken
Sophisticated............too complicated to use, and hard to hold
Ergonometric............too complicated to use, but easy to hold
Interesting ...............ugly
Unusual....................ugly
Uncommon...............one of the few the dealer still has left
Acquire......................to pay way too much, see also 'temporary insanity'
Naylem......................to acquire at auction by simply leaving one's hand up the entire time
Floggoff......................to sell something awful without shame or remorse
Scarf..........................to snatch up a great piece for almost nothing, then disappear
Find............................to pay less than you expected
Buy.............................to pay more than you expected
Steal...........................see 'scarf,' unless you actually did steal something
Temporarily insanity.....a purchase which results in instant regrets, see also 'acquire''
Stanhopeless...............to search for to no avail

[nikkortorokkor]

I'm going to print these out and tape them below my screen as an attempt at caveat emptor! Great fun, thanks.

BUT, my favourite is missing. It is not to be abused though and is only to be applied to cameras that have achieved a million units of production: 'Rare'

How many 'Rare' Halinas, Brauns, Arguses (Argi?) and FSU cameras have you seen at the auctions?