What each condition grade actually means, and how to choose the right one before you buy.
Amazon's four used condition grades (Like New, Very Good, Good, and Acceptable) sound straightforward, but what they mean in practice varies by product category and seller. Understanding them before you set a condition filter is the difference between a smart buy and a disappointing one.
Condition grades are assigned by whoever is selling the item: a third-party merchant grading against Amazon's condition guidelines, or Amazon Resale (formerly Amazon Warehouse) grading its own returns. That means there's some subjectivity, but there are also patterns you can rely on.
The rule worth remembering: a condition grade describes how an item is advertised. It is not proof of authenticity, battery health, remaining service life, or seller honesty. Read the individual condition note, check which accessories are included and what the return terms are, and test the item when it arrives. A higher grade does not establish how long the thing will last.
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The item is in original or near-original condition, often a consumer return that was opened but never really used, or opened for inspection only. Amazon's guideline for third-party sellers says the original packaging should be intact and the item should show no signs of wear. Amazon Resale grades its own Like New returns a little more loosely: complete and fully functional, but possibly repackaged.
Best for: Electronics, appliances, and anything where cosmetic condition matters. A Like New laptop or camera is the grade most likely to arrive looking unused — but it carries the same unknown history as any secondhand item, so the checks still matter more than the grade. Our used Aeron guide is a good example.
What to watch for: Some sellers mark items as Like New when they've been refurbished. If the listing says "tested and inspected," it's still a good deal, just not the same as unopened.
The item shows minor cosmetic wear from light use, such as small scuffs or faint marks, but is fully functional. Packaging may be damaged or absent. This is typically the point where previous ownership becomes visible, but doesn't affect performance.
Best for: Most categories, and in our view usually the best balance of price and condition. The discount varies by product and by day, so compare the used price against the current new price rather than assuming a typical saving. The wear described at this grade is meant to be cosmetic; whether it actually is, is what the condition note and your own inspection are for. For books, this often means a clean interior with minor cover wear.
What to watch for: Accessories. Amazon's Resale guidelines allow some non-essential accessories to be missing at this grade, so an incomplete box is not necessarily a seller cutting corners — it may be exactly what the grade permits. If a charger, cable, or manual matters to you, confirm it in the listing before buying rather than assuming.
The item shows clear signs of regular use, such as visible scratches, worn edges, or fading, but remains fully functional. Packaging is typically absent, and accessories may be missing or third-party replacements.
Best for: Tools, books, kitchen items, and anything where performance matters more than appearance. A Good condition cast iron skillet is largely unaffected by cosmetic wear; a cordless drill at this grade depends far more on battery age than on how it looks, so test it under load when it arrives.
What to watch for: For electronics, Good condition can mean significant cosmetic damage. For something like a gaming console that you'll put in an entertainment center, that may be fine. For a gift, it probably isn't.
Heavy wear from extensive use. The item is functional, but may have significant cosmetic damage such as deep scratches, cracks, staining, or missing non-essential parts. Original packaging is normally gone and accessories may be missing; the listing should say which.
Best for: Items where only the core function matters: a textbook you'll mark up anyway, a tool you'll use in a workshop, a device used only for its output (like a Kindle whose screen still works perfectly).
What to watch for: This is the riskiest condition grade. Read the seller's specific notes before buying. A seller with high ratings and detailed notes about exactly what's worn is much more reliable than a vague listing.
A grade tells you how an item was advertised. These are the things that actually decide whether a used purchase works out. Read the row for your category before ordering, and run it again when the box arrives, while you can still send it back.
| Category | Cosmetic | Completeness | Test on arrival | Wear items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics | Screen and lens marks under bright light — listing photos hide them | Charger, cable, remote, stylus | Power on, every port, speakers, camera, wifi | Battery capacity; assume it is below new |
| Books | Spine, cover wear, water staining | Access codes and discs are usually long gone | Fan the pages for marking and missing sheets | None |
| Kitchen / Appliances | Dents, scratches, discoloration | Lids, baskets, blades, trays, gaskets | Run one full cycle before the return window closes | Filters, seals and gaskets perish with age |
| Tools / Hardware | Housing cracks, corrosion, stripped fasteners | Battery, charger, case — check kit versus tool-only | Run under load; listen for bearing and gear noise | Battery age is usually the real cost |
| Clothing / Shoes | Pilling, stretch, sole wear, odour | Belts, laces, spare buttons | Try on immediately — used sizing varies by era | Elastic and midsole foam degrade even unworn |
| Toys / Games | Sun fading, sticker and label wear | Piece count, instructions, cables — the usual failure | Test motors, lights and electronics | Rechargeable packs |
Return terms belong on this list too, and they vary by seller rather than by category. Before ordering, check who pays return shipping and how long you have — on a used item that window is the only thing standing between you and a bad guess.
Some categories need more care than a grade filter can give you. Before buying a helmet, car seat, mattress, earbuds, or a grooming device secondhand, read Five Used Purchases That Deserve Extra Caution. For product-specific checks, browse all of our Used Picks.
Sellers often add short condition notes that follow predictable patterns. Here's how to interpret the most common ones:
Set your conditions and price ceiling now so your watchlist is ready when Amazon alerts launch. eBay used-listing search already works in the app.
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