How to Describe Condition of Used Books

Being clear and accurate about your items condition lets the buyer know whether theyre getting something new used or something in between. Some basic descriptive terms are used by booksellers to communicate book condition.

How To Describe The Condition Of A Used Book Toughnickel Books Used Books Conditioner

It is not the buyers responsibility to take pictures of a book to prove anything.

. The book is tight. On the listing form you can choose from one of several preset item condition options which vary depending on the category you list your item in. Used - Very Good.

A well-cared-for item that has seen limited use and remains in good working condition. It must be functional and accurately described in the listing. Many book condition terms are intuitive and will likely be understood by most but in many cases its still important to use them and not close synonyms that arent typically used to describe books.

The item is used and has multiple cosmetic flaws or defects. Almost an oxymoron because it usually means not too good. Describing a Books Condition.

Rare and collectible books may have cocked spine cracked hinges water stains. Dedication the words used at the beginning of a book thanking someone or saying that book has been written to show respect for them. Original protective wrapping may be missing but the original packaging is intact and in good condition with minor damage possible.

If it is an old book I list it as Very Good and then comment it out to Very Good to Like New and laud its quality features and also include any defects. It looks used without being used up. Although the grading of books is not a precise.

As New abbreviated AN This is an unused unread clean and flawless copy of the book. If it has a remainder mark I describe it as Like New and describe the mark. May also be worn.

If it has any specific defects these should be noted - as with all grades. The item is gently used but may have one or a few minor flaws. Soiled We all know that differing connotations aside soiled means dirty but if a book is dirty dont say its dirty.

Has been read but has no easily noticeable damage to the cover dust jackets should be included all pages are present and undamaged eg no creases or tears minimal underlining. The item is new without tags unused in mint condition free of defects and shows no signs of wear. Acknowledgements a statement printed at the beginning of a book expressing the authors or publishers gratitude to others.

Any defects must be noted. Very Good In great condition for a used book. Used - Like New.

The commonly used terms used in the book trade to describe condition are as follows. 01 Satisfying Satisfying is a great word to use because it promises readers that they will have positive feelings after reading the book. Buyers and sellers of rare and used books recognize the necessity of a common language for describing the condition of books offered in the marketplace.

If the book typically has a dust jacket the jacket is included. This is the average used book. Binding jacket if any etc.

Good - describes the average used and worn book that has all pages or leaves present. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages books marked as Bargain or Remainder or with any other labels attached may not be listed as New condition. Just be sure to include any details that your buyer should take note of before she hits that Buy buttonexamples include any.

Your preloved item could be another Poshers new favorite. Up to 4 cash back The most common standard book condition descriptions from best to worst are. This book or dust jacket is in pristine condition just as it came from the publisher.

A book in poor condition will be worth far less than the same book in fine condition. In 1949 AB Bookmans Weekly proposed condition descriptions that would serve as standards in catalogue and mail-order transactions to eliminate confusion and preserve customer. This book may be an overstockremainder book.

Used - Like New or Open Box. An item in perfect working condition. Up to 5 cash back The condition of a rare book and its dust jacket if applicable are the most important factors affecting its value and pricing.

Sellers need to understand how to describe used books. Contents a list of the chapters or sections given at the front of a book. Fine abbreviated F Fine is very close to As New in condition except that the book may have been been previously opened or carefully read.

Fair FR May be very worn soiled torn or barely holding together. Buyers dont need to prove anything just ask an attorney. Item condition by category.

Up to 4 cash back Here are accepted abbreviations used to describe BOOK and DUST JACKETS alike by professional booksellers. Fair or poor should not be abbreviated Describes a book that may be quite unappealing and therefore not really collectible. There are no flaws.

Used textbooks do not come with supplemental materials. Items in excellent condition are gently used with little signs of wear. Weve seen lots of people selling antique books online use the term mint to describe the books condition.

It is also a good way to describe a book that checked all the boxes for you in terms of the story and the quality of writing. Mint is a term used for grading the condition of coins not books yet many people have adopted the use of the word for describing the condition of anything theyre selling. A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact.

Describes a book that is in the same perfect condition as when it was issued by the printer. Bookworm damage -- A problem in only the very earliest books. Dampstain -- A tan or gray stain due to water damage.

Here are some common terms used to describe the condition of old books. Moths or larvae burrow through pages and bindings. If it has an owners mark or name or initials it is Very Good with _____ otherwise in Like New condition.

When a book is said to new that is exactly how it needs to arrive to the buyer. Fair - is a worn book that has complete text pages including those with maps or plates but may lack endpapers half title etc which must be noted. Torn or repaired dust jacket.

In addition to the general condition guidelines apply the following guidelines to new and used books.

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