Excellent Vintage Condition vs Excellent Condition
This topic has been closed.
This discussion is public.
Original Post
Just a note to pass on about describing the condition of a vintage item. I have seen where sellers list their vintage items (particularly jewelry) as being in good vintage condition, excellent vintage condition, etc. I have even done this myself, although I have not felt easy about doing it. It just seems that the description "excellent vintage condition" or "very good vintage condition" carries some inference that it's actually not in excellent or very good condition. I think this inference might cause a potential buyer to decide to not purchase it. Anyone have thoughts on this issue?
Posted at 10:40am Jan 16, 2011 EST
Responses
I think when people see that they generally understand what is meant. Anyone who spends time vintage shopping knows that even when a vintage piece is near mint, it can have the tiniest flaws associated with age. It's part of owning something that has a history, even if it was lovingly cared for.
Posted at 10:45am Jan 16, 2011 EST
As a buyer, I would think the word vintage would imply that the item has some wear and tear......
As an x-antique/vintage buyer/seller, the key phrases were always mint condition, excellent condition, good condition, fair condition, poor condition.
Posted at 10:46am Jan 16, 2011 EST
In my vintage shop, I disclose everything and try not to make generalizations like that, since how I might phrase condition is very subjective. By that's just me and that's not always...
Posted at 10:52am Jan 16, 2011 EST
I've generally found this type of description as a way to oversell flawed vintage items.
What would typically be described as "fair" under normal circumstances, suddenly becomes "great vintage condition". Any serious collector of vintage knows there are still plenty of real "excellent" and "mint" vintage pieces available. Vintage doesn't necessarily have to mean there are flaws.
While flaws in and of themselves don't always negate the desirability of a vintage pieces, and sometimes actually add to their appeal, I think the overselling, false positive descriptions do the entire market a disservice and frankly, are many times bordering on consumer deception.
Posted at 10:57am Jan 16, 2011 EST
I agree that the meaning of 'vintage condition' is generally understood, but I never use it. The problem with describing condition, of course, is that qualifiers are all very subjective--your 'excellent' condition might be only 'good' to me.
When I list, I try to be as specific as possible about any condition issues and show pictures of any problems rather than relying on general terms.
Posted at 11:00am Jan 16, 2011 EST
I never use the term 'mint condition' to describe anything - particularly not vintage or antique. I think 'mint condition' infers pristine and virgin quality - hot off the press with no flaws whatsoever. Although it's possible to find antique and vintage in perfect or excellent condition, it's not pristine. I compare it with the snowfall that we recently had. I looked out across my lawn and saw it covering the ground, so pristine and untouched by the touch of any human or fowl or animal. It was in a virgin state. Then, later, as humans and animals and fowl began to traipse around the lawn a few times, the snow was still in good condition, but flawed and marred and touched.
I think there's some good info provided on quality grading at this website:
ebay.about.com/od/sellingeffectivel1/qt/se_conditions.htm
Posted at 11:03am Jan 16, 2011 EST
Personally, I may list it as in "____ condition" but I still always specify all of the flaws I see. I agree that simply specifying condition is oversimplifying the issue.
Posted at 2:05pm Jan 16, 2011 EST
stratussilver said:
As a buyer, I would think the word vintage would imply that the item has some wear and tear......
As an x-antique/vintage buyer/seller, the key phrases were always mint condition, excellent condition, good condition, fair condition, poor condition.
__________
i agree. there is no 'vintage' condition. it's meaningless. just call it out straightforwardly, and then describe and photograph any flaws.
vintageandvictorian, that is the correct definition of mint. there are some mint vintage pieces around, but not many of them. i've used it only a handful of times.
Posted at 2:26pm Jan 16, 2011 EST
I agree with what others have said-- "Vintage condition" can sometimes indicate that someone is trying to oversell a flawed item-- I see a lot of overpriced flawed items on Etsy (bought a few myself-- I wish we had a quality local vintage store!). It can also just mean that they want to make sure that people understand that a vintage item can be in "excellent" condition and still not be as "excellent" as a brand new off the line item. An "excellent" dress from the 40s is not the same as an "excellent" dress you bought yesterday. :) (Of course, it's usually better.)
Posted at 2:30pm Jan 16, 2011 EST