[Skeptical]

To me like new means no visible marks or scratches of any kind. I am very hesitant to use this descriptor, even for a watch that hasn’t left the house. A single mark on the clasp is enough to downgrade it.

 

[FlyguyAZ]

To me like new means no visible marks or scratches of any kind. I am very hesitant to use this descriptor, even for a watch that hasn’t left the house. A single mark on the clasp is enough to downgrade it.

I agree. And as much as my question should be covered by common sense, I posted it for a reason. I'm not going to call him out by name, but a fairly active seller here had a post for a watch listed as like new condition. I noticed what looked like an obvious ding on the bezel in the coating and asked if it was a ding. This was not mentioned in the written description. I also said that if it was, I wouldn't consider it to be like new.

That second statement of mine was aggressive, I admit, and it really made the seller angy. He implied that I do not know what I'm talking about since I am not a professional (which he assumes he is I guess) and he refused to answer me about the ding since he would not do business with me anyway. I was instructed to stay in my lane, which I will do lol. I was just curious if others may also question the sensibility of calling something "like new" when it obviously is not.

 

[Gebbeth]

I've also heard the term "slider" condition, which I understand to mean basically "like new", meaning, you could mistake this for new old stock or NIB.

 

[Nokie]

New= Not Used……

 

[SkxRobbie]

Like new is basically if you wore it a few times and put it back in the box and sold it to me I wouldn’t notice.

 

[Perseus]

What does "like new" mean to you?

Look at the pictures .

I have seen many threads like this were people debate the words used by the seller and I think the best thing to do is look at the photos. I am of the mindset that used watch is most likely going to have some evidence of wear.

 

[brandon\]

Based solely on browsing eBay, this:

 

[big_slacker]

Like new means no damage, no wear and tear. Someone might have worn it a few times, took it out for pics, display model at an AD or whatever. But it should look the same as a new watch taken out of the box. Anything else and you need to delve into some other category.

 

[kramer5150]

Maybe worn a little / few times.
No cosmetic blemishes at all when looking at it.

 

[appophylite]

For me, Like New (when it comes to watches) means, that the stickers are all off, the watch has touched skin at least once (aka, been worn) and has no scratches are marks (it was babied for the duration of wear).

The next step down would be Excellent and to me would indicate that the above is still true but there may be some fine scratches here or there, as is want to happen when a watch is worn for any significant duration of time.

 

[3DRealty]

I try to never use like new because of this exact question. I’m always amazed at the array of definitions for like new . In my opinion like new means if I could put the plastic and the tags back on I’d be able in theory be able to walk back in to the store and return it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[djgallo]

Like New=Not Worn/Not Sized. It has been handled but not worn. So it is “Like New”.

If it is sized then it was sized to be worn. So it is just logical that it is NOT in the Like New category….it is now used and then would fall into the following categories:

• Mint
• Excellent

-Very Good
-Fair
-Poor

To summarize for me: If the watch was SIZED I don’t buy the “Like New” description…..

 

[VaEagle]

I agree with others - like Saswatch, Skeptical and big_slacker - that like new means no marks whatsoever, and worn just to try it on, at most. I have flipped a fair number of watches in the past few years, and I say "like new" if all I've done is take it out of the box and maybe worn it on my wrist for an hour or so, which I typically do in my office only if I'm still thinking about whether I keep it. No re-sizing or anything. Then I'll say, "like new."

 

[Pmhill10]

My interpretation of Like New for a watch would be, "Plastic removed, possible sized, no scratches or wear marks, only worn once maybe twice, all boxes, tags, accessories included." I think of Like New as a watch you get, try it once, and don't like it!

 

[357-Mag]

For me "like-new" means the watch was taken out of the box, and carefully worn a few times, but shows no obvious evidence of wear. I think one of the best ways to determine condition is by examining the strap/bracelet.

 

[DarkSoan]

I mean like new to me has to be as if I was going to get it at a shop, minus the warranty

 

[Jonathan T]

for me, no aesthetic marks or issues. hence 'like new'.

 

[finsenc]

like new can even mean light polish

 

[erbo3569]

I have been buying/selling higher end knives for almost 20 years. In those communities "like new" means that the item may have been carried, maybe even cut something, but that it has no visible signs of wear and essentially looks like new.

For you professional watch traders, do you feel that the same applies for watches? Do you think "like new" may include some scratches, dings, or chips in a coating?

To me there is:

Brand new-as the name implies

Like New- worn around some, still looks new

Excellent condition- with a detailed list of any imperfections

Then there could be many different descriptors for various levels of a used watch.

Obviously I think any imperfections should be mentioned regardless of what term you use. I also think that pictures can be deceiving at times, and it is good to have both photographic and verbal descriptions of any imperfections. Curious what others think.

I agree - like new should be just that. maybe some extremely light hairline marks that you need to really get up close to see, but the watch should be in 98-99/100% new condition.

 

[dirtvictim]

Mint would be new to me. LN and near mint would be the same.