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

[purbeast0]

take a look at this link.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...sed&zoomToPosting=&srchType=T&minAsk=&maxAsk=

searched titles only for "new used" and yeah, don't see ANY postings that are referring to a used item, that call it "new and used" in the title, after a quick look on the first page of search results.

people put "new/never used" or "used but like new" to get the point across. not "new and used" like a moron.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I would argue that "used but new" is used often enough in this context that it should be accepted usage. We aren't going to stamp out the usage of the phrase, it isn't going anywhere.

So your saying for all intensive porpoises its a mute point, thats cut and dry?

Bad English is bad English even when it's possible to parse its meaning.

 

[Schfifty Five]

Unfortunately for all the autistic pedants out there, the use of the English language goes way beyond the strictest of dictionary definitions.

If your mind is unable to process what "new but used" means on a website like Craigslist then you are either a robot that is trying to function with the Microsoft Word 97 Thesarus, or you're just incredibly stupid.

This is true. No disagreement there. However, you also need to realize that when you use the word "new" in a sale, it comes with certain implications. "New" implies that it is in the same exact quality as if you were buying it from a retail store. In most cases, this means the item is in a box, sealed, never opened, etc.

If you write "used, like-new" then the "like" removes those implications and now you know the item has been opened. And while it may still be in mint condition, you take on the risk that there could have been more than described.

 

[Veliko]

So your saying for all intensive porpoises its a mute point, thats cut and dry?

Bad English is bad English even when it's possible to parse its meaning.

If the people reading the advert - bar one or two pedants - are able to understand it, then it isn't bad use of English.

 

[purbeast0]

If the people reading the advert - bar one or two pedants - are able to understand it, then it isn't bad use of English.

when i hear ghetto/ignorant people say "let me axe you a question" i know exactly what they mean, even though it's bad use of english. it's still fucking retarded to say "axe" when the correct word is "ask". same situation here.

 

[Veliko]

when i hear ghetto/ignorant people say "let me axe you a question" i know exactly what they mean, even though it's bad use of english. it's still fucking retarded to say "axe" when the correct word is "ask". same situation here.

There is nothing retarded about that at all - you just fail to understand the use and purpose of language.

You sound angry. Was your application to the ghetto gang rejected on the grounds that you're an insufferable bore?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

If the people reading the advert - bar one or two pedants - are able to understand it, then it isn't bad use of English.

Wow.... And I suppose this is what our english language has been lowered to. As long as any fool can remotely comprehend what you're saying, it is not a bad use of the language.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

There is nothing retarded about that at all - you just fail to understand the use and purpose of language.

You sound angry. Was your application to the ghetto gang rejected on the grounds that you're an insufferable bore?

The only thing fail about this thread is you.

 

[Veliko]

Wow.... And I suppose this is what our english language has been lowered to. As long as any fool can remotely comprehend what you're saying, it is not a bad use of the language.

As long as your intended audience can easily comprehend what you're saying, then yes.

That is not 'lowering' anything, it is merely an example of what language exists for - communication.

 

[tcG]

What about "I didn't do nothing."

Is commonly understood to mean: 'I didn't do anything.'

Actually means: 'I didn't do nothing.' -or- 'I did something.'

 

[SpatiallyAware]

As long as your intended audience can easily comprehend what you're saying, then yes.

That is not 'lowering' anything, it is merely an example of what language exists for - communication.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

What about "I didn't do nothing."

Is commonly understood to mean: 'I didn't do anything.'

Actually means: 'I didn't do nothing.' -or- 'I did something.'

Still poor english... However, something like that is different from specifically describing an item that you're selling.


How do you think "NEW" in the title but "NEW but used" in the body would hold up in small claims court?

 

[Lean L]

This is a horrible display of humanity from both sides of the argument. I agree with the OP. Even if it can be understood, it is shitty construct.

 

[sm625]

If you go to the shoe store and plop down $179 for a pair of Nike's, you can call yourself a sucker because those shoes are likely to be "used". Someone before you might have tried them on and walked around in them for 20 seconds. Or maybe they were bought and returned. (Worn for one hour, worn for one day, 10 feet, 2 miles, how do you really know?) That's an example of something that is both new and used. If it is technically "used" but is still in a state where a store would have accepted it as a return then it is probably safe to call it this.

 

[Auric]

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.

That's another realm of crazy and I don't care what Bookshelf '95 says (nevermind Word 97). Coins are minted. Furniture, electronics, trading cards, and creepy Hummel figurines are not.

 

[Gillbot]

New, only opened to test....

Which means, I used the shit out of it and it dodn't perform to my expectations so now i'm trying to dump it off for full retail price so I can get another and so the same thing again.

 

[SunnyD]

I personally like to despise the term "pre-enjoyed".

 

[Red Squirrel]

The way I see it is if it was only used a couple times and still looks new, and all the packaging is available and it good order, then it's new. If it's the stand alone item with a few scratches and the packaging and accessories are no where then it's used.

 

[Auric]

I personally like to despise the term "pre-enjoyed".

That's just short for "rubbed my junk all over it".

 

[Ns1]

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.

Correct - used, but new

 

[BurnItDwn]

So what you're trying to say is this just rubs you the wrong way?

You're only upset because technically speaking it is a false statement to say something is both new and used?

Who gives a fuck about what it technically means, words and phrases can garner connotation, the message we are trying to get across in this case is very very clear, the item is essentially new, however it was used, there will be no difference between this item and a brand new item, except for it being open/used.

It does not take a rocket surgeon.

The stupid way is worse than the right way.

So, I dislike the stupid wrong way and instead prefer the right logical way.

The message is clear, I am not saying "I dont understand what they would mean", I simply assume anybody who is stupid or careless enough to say "new but used" is not the type of person with whom I would want to deal, since they are wrong.


Old and New are different things and can never be the same.

 

[mnewsham]

The stupid way is worse than the right way.

So, I dislike the stupid wrong way and instead prefer the right logical way.

The message is clear, I am not saying "I dont understand what they would mean", I simply assume anybody who is stupid or careless enough to say "new but used" is not the type of person with whom I would want to deal, since they are wrong.


Old and New are different things and can never be the same.

Except it's futile, no one gives a fuck about it or if you're technically correct, no one ever will care particularly, it just doesn't matter in the end, people will continue to do things like that far after you're dead. Why make a fuss about something that is so insignificant? All it really does is get yourself worked up

 

[BurnItDwn]

Except it's futile, no one gives a fuck about it or if you're technically correct, no one ever will care particularly, it just doesn't matter in the end, people will continue to do things like that far after you're dead. Why make a fuss about something that is so insignificant? All it really does is get yourself worked up

I simply don't trade with savages like that. They will not see a penny of my money.

 

[slag]

Kansas





Seriously though, I live in the DC metro area, craigslist is a lot more active with 5 million people in this local area.

So what, people dont buy and sell stuff in Kansas? I don't get your point. There are plenty of transactions that occur on the various craigslist sections of Topeka, Lawrence, Wichita and Kansas City. It's just not quite as ghetto as the DC area is.

 

[Red Storm]

So should we also stop using WTB, LF, NIB, WTT, WTS since these are clearly not English words?

The grammar nazis can continue to whine all they want, meanwhile people will continue to do business and make it easier to buy and sell stuff online with language shortcuts.