Auction Terminology Guide
Your complete reference for auction abbreviations and terminology. Learn what all those acronyms mean and shop with confidence!
Showing 99 terms
New With Tags
Brand new item with original retail tags still attached. Never worn or used.
New Without Tags
Brand new item, tags removed but never worn or used.
New With Box
Brand new item that comes with its original box/packaging.
New Without Box
Brand new item, but the original box is not included.
New In Box
Item is brand new and still sealed in its original box.
New In Package
Item is brand new and still sealed in original packaging.
Mint In Box
Item and box are both in perfect, like-new condition.
Mint In Sealed Box
Perfect condition item in a factory-sealed box.
Mint On Card
Item (usually action figure) in mint condition on original card.
Mint In Package
Item in perfect condition, still in original sealed package.
Brand New With Tags
Same as NWT - completely new with original tags.
Brand New In Box
Completely new item in its original sealed box.
Excellent Used Condition
Previously owned but shows minimal signs of wear.
Good Used Condition
Previously owned with normal signs of wear.
Very Good Used Condition
Previously owned but in very good shape with minimal wear.
Very Good Condition
Item in very good condition, may have minor imperfections.
Used Condition
Item has been used and shows visible signs of wear.
Fair Condition
Item is functional but has noticeable wear or flaws.
Poor Condition
Item has significant wear, damage, or defects.
For Parts Only
Item is not fully functional, sold for parts/repair.
As Is
Sold in current condition with no guarantees. Buyer accepts all flaws.
Buy It Now
Fixed price option to purchase immediately without bidding.
Or Best Offer
Seller will consider offers below the listed price.
No Reserve
Auction has no minimum price - item sells to highest bidder regardless.
Reserve Price
Hidden minimum price that must be met for the item to sell.
Reserve Met
Bidding has reached the seller's minimum acceptable price.
Reserve Not Met
Bidding has not yet reached the seller's minimum price.
Starting Bid
The minimum amount required to place the first bid.
Minimum Bid
The lowest acceptable bid amount.
Bid Increment
The minimum amount a new bid must exceed the current bid.
High Bidder
The person currently winning the auction.
Current Bid
The highest bid amount at the present time.
Proxy Bid
Maximum bid set by buyer - system auto-bids up to this amount.
Sniping
Placing a bid in the final seconds of an auction.
Second Chance
Offer made to losing bidders if winner doesn't complete purchase.
Relist
Item being listed again after previous auction ended without sale.
Shipping and Handling
Total cost of shipping plus any handling/packaging fees.
Postage and Packing
UK/EU term for shipping and handling costs.
Flat Fee
Fixed shipping cost regardless of destination.
Calculated Shipping
Shipping cost calculated based on buyer's location.
Free Shipping
Seller covers all shipping costs.
Local Pickup Only
Item must be picked up in person - no shipping available.
Local Pickup
Buyer can pick up item in person as an option.
Worldwide
Seller ships to all countries.
US Only
Seller only ships within the United States.
Cash On Delivery
Payment collected when item is delivered.
Insurance
Shipping insurance to cover loss or damage.
Signature Required
Delivery requires recipient's signature.
Track and Trace
Shipping with tracking number provided.
US Postal Service
United States Postal Service shipping.
United Parcel Service
UPS shipping carrier.
Federal Express
FedEx shipping carrier.
DHL Express
DHL international shipping carrier.
Priority Mail
USPS Priority Mail service (2-3 days).
First Class
USPS First Class Mail (economical option).
Media Mail
USPS discounted rate for books/media.
PayPal
Payment via PayPal account.
PayPal Friends & Family
PayPal payment without buyer protection (not recommended).
PayPal Goods & Services
PayPal payment with buyer protection.
Credit Card
Payment by credit card.
Money Order
Payment by money order.
Personal Check
Payment by personal check (may delay shipping).
Wire Transfer
Direct bank wire transfer.
Cash On Delivery
Pay when item arrives.
Non-Paying Bidder
Bidder who won but didn't complete payment.
Original Equipment Manufacturer
Made by the original manufacturer (not aftermarket).
Authentic
Genuine item, not a counterfeit or replica.
Certificate of Authenticity
Document certifying item's authenticity.
Letter of Authenticity
Letter verifying item is genuine.
Vintage
Item from a previous era (typically 20+ years old).
Antique
Item typically 100+ years old.
Hard To Find
Rare or uncommon item.
Rare
Uncommon item, limited availability.
Limited Edition
Item produced in limited quantities.
Special Edition
Special variant of a product.
Collector's Edition
Version made specifically for collectors.
First Edition
First printing/release of an item.
Prototype
Pre-production sample or test version.
Reproduction
Modern copy of a vintage/antique item.
Restored
Item has been repaired or refurbished.
Original
Item is authentic and unmodified.
Out Of Print
No longer being manufactured/published.
New Old Stock
Unused vintage item still in original packaging.
Dead Stock
Unsold inventory from original production run.
Size
Item dimensions or clothing size.
One Size
Single size fits most.
One Size Fits Most
Designed to fit average body sizes.
With
Item includes the mentioned accessory.
Without
Item does not include the mentioned accessory.
If On No
Buyer can decline after seeing item in person (local pickup).
Feedback
Buyer's rating/review of the transaction.
Positive Feedback
Good rating from a buyer.
Negative Feedback
Bad rating from a buyer.
Negative
Negative feedback or experience.
Positive
Positive feedback or experience.
Detailed Seller Rating
Specific ratings for communication, shipping, etc.
Top Rated Seller
Seller with excellent performance metrics.
Power Seller
High-volume seller with good standing.
Not A Registered User
Account has been suspended or banned.
Quick Reference by Category
NWTNew With TagsNWOTNew Without TagsNWBNew With BoxNWOBNew Without BoxNIBNew In BoxBINBuy It NowOBOOr Best OfferNRNo ReserveRPReserve PriceRMReserve MetS&HShipping and HandlingP&PPostage and PackingFFFlat FeeCSCalculated ShippingFSFree ShippingPPPayPalPPFFPayPal Friends & FamilyPPGSPayPal Goods & ServicesCCCredit CardMOMoney OrderOEMOriginal Equipment ManufacturerAUTHAuthenticCOACertificate of AuthenticityLOALetter of AuthenticityVTGVintageFBFeedbackPFPositive FeedbackNFNegative FeedbackNEGNegativePOSPositiveNeed More Help?
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