How we grade
Two separate calls on every item, stated separately — because how a thing looks and whether it works are different questions, and blending them is how secondhand shopping got its reputation.
Cosmetic grade — how it looks
Appearance only. Says nothing about function. Each tier below shows a real item we graded that way — tap through for its full photo set and judge the call yourself.
You'd have to hunt for a mark.
MLB The Show 24: Collector's Edition - The Negro Leagues Edition - PS5See all 7 photos Light wear you notice up close, nothing that draws the eye.
Nintendo Game Boy Advance Fuchsia Clear Pink AGB-001 Tested Working + Pelican...See all 6 photos Honest wear from real use — visible in the photos, nothing hidden.
2008 Tin Box Company STAR WARS Episode IV A New Hope Lunch Box Lucas FilmsSold · See all 11 photos Heavy wear, fully photographed.
Wizard of Oz Toddlers Lot of 2 Lil Witch Lil Tinman 1993 Sky Kids Collectors NIBSee all 16 photos For parts or repair — no promise it works.
Japanese PlayStation 2 PS2 Game Lot Scratched Incomplete Winning Eleven DQ8See all 7 photos Functional status — does it work
The guarantee lives here, not in the grade.
Bench-tested & working
Bench-tested by us and working. If it isn’t right when it arrives, we’ll make it right.
Factory sealed
Factory sealed and never opened by us — so the contents are unconfirmed. What we graded is the packaging.
Inspected (nothing to test)
Inspected by hand and graded on condition — everything we found is described and photographed.
Not bench-tested yet
Not bench-tested yet — 30-day money-back returns cover you anyway.
Salvex (as-is)
Sold AS-IS for parts or repair. No functional guarantee, no returns.
The photos are the contract
Every listing is shot from the actual unit you'll receive — wear included, and every flaw we found is spelled out in plain words on the listing. If a scratch matters to you, you'll know about it before you pay. That's the whole deal: we'd rather under-promise than take a return.
Here is what that looks like right now — all 23 photos currently published for one item on the shelf:
