Rummage Picnic / The field guide
How we grade the weird stuff.
A condition letter is useful. It is not the whole story. We use grades to help you scan the shelf, then we give you the specific notes and photos so you can decide with both eyes open.
The big rule
The listing notes and photos outrank the letter. Always.
Condition grades
Four letters, no perfume sprayed over the truth.
These are shorthand for the shelf, not a substitute for reading the label.
Grade A
The cleanest picnic plate
The least-worn tier. Expect clean overall presentation with only light signs that this item has had a previous life.
Grade B
Good used condition
Ordinary signs of life are part of the deal: small marks, gentle wear, or evidence that somebody used and enjoyed it.
Grade C
Worn, still useful
Visibly worn or a little more complicated, but still honestly described and useful for the right shopper.
Grade D
The project-or-parts tier
The roughest shelf. Think repair project, parts source, or an object with one last good story in it.
Test status
Tested is a report, not a halo.
Tested
Key functions checked
We checked the key functions we could reasonably check. That is useful information, not a promise of newness and not a blanket warranty for every future adventure.
Untested
Not function-checked
Untested does not automatically mean broken. It means we did not function-check it, so price in the uncertainty and read the imperfections closely.
The rest of the label
Small notes. Big difference.
We put the awkward, useful, potentially expensive details where you can see them before you request a find.
Missing parts
Names absent pieces and, when we know it, the practical impact. “No note” is not a secret promise that every tiny piece is present.
Imperfections
Calls out cosmetic or functional quirks: marks, dents, odd noises, stubborn buttons, or whatever else deserves daylight.
Shipping notes
Sets expectations around packing, size, fragility, and handling. Large, delicate, or unusually shaped finds may need a little extra care.
Ready to rummage?
Go meet the current shelf.