Please help me understand the concept of "new but used"

[purbeast0]

Disagree. If someone is selling something as just "Used" online you can expect the item to show signs of use. If you want truly new still unopened, people say New In Box (NIB).

or they could say "like new" the way normal people do it. and then give a description.

it's not like you are limited to using only 1 word to describe your item.

 

[dbk]

New (Open Box)

 

[mnewsham]

ITT

pedantic assholes

 

[lxskllr]

Christ, some of you people are pretty dim. The description in the OP is excellent, assuming it's accurate. "Used little, but brand new" gets translated by those familiar with English to "flawless finish, everything included, looks like you opened it yourself". Even shitty AI could parse that statement. It's amazing that (allegedly)thoughtful humans would have issues.

 

[kranky]

To me new but used means used, but I want 95% of what a new one costs.

It's not new if you used it. "Mint condition" is the perfect way to describe something that is not new but appears identical to a new item.

 

[Red Storm]

To me new but used means used, but I want 95% of what a new one costs.

It's not new if you used it. "Mint condition" is the perfect way to describe something that is not new but appears identical to a new item.

Mint condition could still mean new or used, it's not clear enough.

Christ, some of you people are pretty dim. The description in the OP is excellent, assuming it's accurate. "Used little, but brand new" gets translated by those familiar with English to "flawless finish, everything included, looks like you opened it yourself". Even shitty AI could parse that statement. It's amazing that (allegedly)thoughtful humans would have issues.

100% this.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Christ, some of you people are pretty dim. The description in the OP is excellent, assuming it's accurate. "Used little, but brand new" gets translated by those familiar with English to "flawless finish, everything included, looks like you opened it yourself". Even shitty AI could parse that statement. It's amazing that (allegedly)thoughtful humans would have issues.

"Used little but brand new" is an impossible statement.


"Used little, in like-new condition" is fine.

 

[lxskllr]

"Used little but brand new" is an impossible statement.


"Used little, in like-new condition" is fine.

People make impossible statements all the time. It's our flaw for not being computers. The question is whether the statement is clearly understood by a below average member of society, and I think it is.

I don't scan Craigslist ads for literary quality. I want to buy something, and any clump of words put together works for me, as long as it adds detail, and understanding about what's being sold.

 

[iRONic]

ITFORUM

pedantic assholes

FTFY

'Cause I'm being pedantic too...

 

[Red Storm]

"Used little but brand new" is an impossible statement.


"Used little, in like-new condition" is fine.

No, both of those are too wordy.

"New but Used" tells you exactly what you need to know in as few words as possible. When you browse trading sites and have to read through listing after listing you want short, concise descriptions that quickly tell you the vital details. If someone don't regularly browse craigslist and other similar sites I can understand if they don't get it, but for those of us that do it not only makes sense, it's less clutter to read.

 

[Murloc]

it means they just tested the item and they didn't like it.

Same as saying "like new", but like new has been used out and people don't trust it anymore.

 

[tynopik]

It's either new or it isn't.

You're wrong

deal with it

 

[Veliko]

You're wrong

deal with it

Well, I'm 'dealing with it' by being able to process the phrase "new but used" when someone is selling something.

How are you dealing with it?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

No, both of those are too wordy.

"New but Used" tells you exactly what you need to know in as few words as possible. When you browse trading sites and have to read through listing after listing you want short, concise descriptions that quickly tell you the vital details. If someone don't regularly browse craigslist and other similar sites I can understand if they don't get it, but for those of us that do it not only makes sense, it's less clutter to read.

"Like New"

 

[SunnyD]

If you never open the item and it's still in the original sealed manufacturer container, then it can be categorized "New In Box, still sealed never used".

If you've broken the seal on the item, but never used the item (ie: opened to inspect contents), it can be categorized as "New never used, open box to inspect contents".

If you've opened the item and used it, even once, then it is "used" of one of various categories dependent on condition and quality.

It's called common sense.

 

[foghorn67]

Christ, some of you people are pretty dim. The description in the OP is excellent, assuming it's accurate. "Used little, but brand new" gets translated by those familiar with English to "flawless finish, everything included, looks like you opened it yourself". Even shitty AI could parse that statement. It's amazing that (allegedly)thoughtful humans would have issues.

This. I was trying to figure what the fuss was about.

 

[PowerYoga]

So when you buy something new and show it to someone, what do you say?

"Hey, check out my used camera/car/gun!"

You're not selling the fucking thing to your friend.

You're wrong, get over it. The proper description for an item that's been used only once is "like new".

 

[tynopik]

If you've opened the item and used it, even once, then it is "used" of one of various categories dependent on condition and quality.

It's called common sense.

I guess there's no such thing as a new car dealership

 

[BurnItDwn]

when they sell "New but used" it means "they are fvcktard"

New in original sealed packaging
Like New
Good condition
Mediocre condition
poor condition
scrap/broken

Those are the options.

 

[mnewsham]

Those are the options.

How would you consider "like new", and "new but used" any different? It's wholly obvious what is trying to be described.

 

[waggy]

new but used= in new shape. gently used


and some in the this thread are idiots..

 

[BurnItDwn]

How would you consider "like new", and "new but used" any different? It's wholly obvious what is trying to be described.

because "like new" means "similar to new" "new but used" is a lie.

It can not be both used and new at the same time. It's 1 or the other.

"like new" is not saying "it's new, but it's used". It's saying "it's in the same condition as when it was new, however, it has been touched by human hands"

 

[Murloc]

new but used is an oxymoron.
If someone writes: new, used once
then it's okay imho, unless it's a garment, in which case 1 washing is enough to change its properties.

 

[SunnyD]

I guess there's no such thing as a new car dealership

Car dealerships live in their own little bubble. I mean where else can you get in a car for a test drive, drive 10 miles, and the car still be worth $25k, but as soon as you put pen to paper, that same car is instantly worth $18k before you even drive it off the lot?

 

[tynopik]

Car dealerships live in their own little bubble. I mean where else can you get in a car for a test drive, drive 10 miles, and the car still be worth $25k, but as soon as you put pen to paper, that same car is instantly worth $18k before you even drive it off the lot?

Well clothing stores are even worse.

You can try on clothes, you can buy clothes that others have tried on, but as soon as you buy it, the value drops in half or more.