Estate Agent Speak

[Cryptos]

Okay, could someone please educate me on the correct terminology to use in describing the condition of vintage pens?

 

This one says "Pen is in good condition". (don't worry, I'm not looking to buy it!)

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-40s-EVERSHARP-Skyline-Standard-Fountain-Pen-14K-gold-nib-for-restoration-/371115137235?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56682f98d3

 

 

So, if I understand the terms correctly, in these kind of adverts "good' = "horse pucky", yes?

[Tylerjordan]

I've basically given up on condition descriptions. Some dealers use different words to mean the same thing, some use the same words to mean different things. It's hard enough to find their entire scale system, too. Personally I prefer when the various points of interest are individually covered. For example: cap band has x amount of brassing or bind cap has 4 prominent bite-marks or celluloid is heavily discoloured except for parts covered by cap.

 

 

Obviously when you get people on eBay who make a living buying and selling things from estates or storage lockers or whatever you get very pathetic listings like the one to which you linked. They don't know much about fountain pens other than some basic information like model names and terminology. They like to throw the word 'rare,' and 'good condition' around to try and get people interested.

Edited August 4, 2014 by Tylerjordan

[FPcollection]

To be honest, the pen is in a very SAD condition!

Even if you can restore the cap, there is no way you can get the personalization off, because the engraving is VERY deep.

I totally agree with Tylerjordan that it is better to describe notable shortcomings with clarity, hide nothing from the buyer, and then allow the buyer to decide how the condition is.

However, if the pen is actually in great condition, then go ahead!

-S

[beak]

I think it's commonly understood that one should ignore all and any such subjective descriptions in an EBay listing. If you can't see enough about the condition in the pictures, and direct, specific questions do not clear the matter up immediately, look elsewhere.

Edited August 4, 2014 by beak

[Cryptos]

Indeed.

 

What also makes me laugh is how Ebay is positively awash with 'rare' items. If someone listed something as 'common' I dare say it would fair stand out from the crowd!

[beak]

I'm afraid that 'fishing' is becoming all too common on my favourite on-line auction site. Time after time I see ordinary items listed as 'Buy It Now' only, with gigantic prices next to them. Seller must just be listing the thing in the hope of a dreadful mistake by someone.

[LBpens]

I agree you have to assess condition component by component. Imagine what it was like in the early days of the internet, when we couldn't even post pictures. I like the ads that say, "Near mint except for a small crack and some light brassing"

[Tylerjordan]

My favourite thing is when sellers list 'one of a kind,' or 'rare' pens because they have mismatched parts. I've seen some Skylines with maroon bodies and black sections and Vacumatics with shadow wave caps and ringed bodies! Sometimes they even are audacious enough to call them 'all-original' parts!

 

You'd think if the seller could find a picture of the model to identify the pen they're realise theirs is a little off!

Edited August 4, 2014 by Tylerjordan

[kernando]

Have you ever seen the coin grading scale? It's good like that, where only fair and poor aren't as good.

[LBpens]

Back when collectors went to shows you could communicate with others over live pens, and come to a consensus on the difference between excellent and near mint. And, that consensus would be reinforced show after show. I'm not saying that isn't done today, but I think it is muddled by the fact that so many today acquire and dispose of pens online. Online you just can't place stock in terms like excellent, unless you know that person in person, and you have a shared benchmark. The hobby has moved from commonly understood terms, to photos and component by component descriptions. Not saying that is bad.