"Condition is used." Of course it is used, it is 50 years old. And that is the only descriptor they use in the listing. And often the US sellers have blurred and shadowed photographs of the item that look like they came from a mobile phone. You can't see the condition at all.
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I've noticed this trend as well. I guess these sellers are trying to be as vague as possible to avoid a dispute of the "Significantly not as described" variety. But not a great way to sell a camera, or anything else for that matter.
Are they really that strategic? Or is it simply that we Americans have become lazy, stupid, and self-obsessed - take the easiest and cheesiest way out rather than expend a few calories of effort?
With regards to listings on ebay writing things like "condition is used" , "for condition , see pictures" , and so on as a cop out to try avoid "not as described " claims ,they don't work .
On a listing , regardless of the sellers written ( lack of ) description , it is listed as new , used , refurbished , spares repair etc .
If it's listed as "Used" , ebays definition of goods listed as this is
"Used: An item that has been previously used. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or an item that has been returned to the seller after a period of use. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections"
Therefore it has to be fit for the purpose it was intended for , if it's faulty , it goes back for a refund .
If known faults were clearly written in the description , that's a different matter .
But just sold as "Used" means it's in full working order with signs of use .
Signs of use does not include excessive markings or damage , fungi etc .