How We Grade Condition on Vintage & Used Collectibles

At Nearly Collectibles, every listing includes a condition grade. That grade is our honest assessment of the item — written before it ships, based on a hands-on inspection. This guide explains exactly what each grade means, so you can shop with confidence.

Our Four Core Grades

Very Good

The item is in excellent pre-owned shape. It may show minimal signs of prior ownership — the faintest surface scuff or light shelf dust — but nothing that affects its appearance or function at a normal viewing distance. This is as close to like-new as a pre-owned item gets.

Good

The item is complete, intact, and fully presentable. It shows honest evidence of prior use or age: light wear on surfaces, minor markings, or small cosmetic imperfections. Nothing is broken, missing, or significantly damaged. Good is our most common grade and covers a wide range of pre-owned items that look great on a shelf or in use.

Fair

The item has visible wear, fading, light staining, or minor structural issues that are noticeable but do not make it unusable or unrecognizable. You should expect imperfections — that's reflected in the price. We describe specifics in each listing so there are no surprises.

Poor

The item is significantly worn, damaged, or incomplete. We list Poor-condition items because they still have collectible, decorative, or functional value — but we want you to know upfront. Photos and notes in the listing describe the exact issues.

In-Between Grades

When an item sits squarely between two grades, we say so: Poor to Fair, Fair to Good, or Good to Very Good. These aren't hedges — they're precision. If we write Fair to Good, the item is better than Fair but doesn't quite reach Good across the board.

How We Handle Vintage Items

Vintage items are graded on the same scale, but we consider their age as context. A Good/Vintage item may have age-appropriate patina, slight yellowing, or period wear that we'd expect after decades — and that often adds to its character. When something is definitively vintage (typically 20+ years old), we note it. When we're not certain, you'll see Possibly Vintage in the description.

Items That Have Never Been Used

Some pre-owned items were purchased but never used or worn. We flag these clearly:

• Never Worn / Unused — still in original unworn or unused condition
• Sales Tags Attached — original retail tags still present
• Unopened / Package Unopened — factory-sealed or never opened
• Gently Used — used sparingly; minimal evidence of wear

These terms always appear alongside the core grade (e.g., Good/Never Worn) so you have the full picture.

Multi-Piece & Boxed Items

When a set, game, or boxed item has components in different condition, we grade each part separately. For example: Cards & Envelopes — Good / Box — Poor. This matters because the box and the contents often age differently, and you deserve to know the condition of what you'll actually use.

Functional Notes

If we know an item doesn't work, we say Does Not Work. If we can't test it (common with vintage electronics or novelty items), we say Functionality Unknown. We never imply something works if we haven't confirmed it.

What About Irregulars?

Some items are factory irregulars — they were produced with a defect or variation from standard. We note these as Irregular. They're not damaged through use; the imperfection was built in.

Shipping & Returns

We pack carefully to protect every item, regardless of grade. If an item arrives in a condition meaningfully different from how we described it, please reach out — we want to make it right. Because condition is inherently subjective to some degree, we encourage you to read the full listing description and look closely at photos before purchasing. We're happy to answer questions before you buy.

Still Have Questions?

If you're looking at a specific listing and want more detail on its condition, just contact us. We'd rather take five minutes to answer a question than have you receive something that wasn't what you expected.