Addressing Misleading 'Not Tested' Listings on eBay
Summary: europa_nomadic raised concerns about eBay sellers listing items as "not tested" or "as-is," circumventing condition guidelines and suggested stricter enforcement from eBay. Multiple participants, including jonathanbrightlight and stainlessenginecovers, pointed out that eBay's Money Back Guarantee covers buyers, even with "as-is" claims, stressing the importance of buyers understanding their protections. Some commenters shared personal experiences or strategies for dealing with such listings, while others emphasized that these listings attract both risk-takers and those looking for bargains. There was a general consensus that informed buying and understanding eBay's policies are crucial.
I've noticed a trend on eBay where scummy sellers like goodwill and the likes list used items as "not tested" and "as-is," effectively sidestepping eBay's condition guidelines and just applying their store policy. This seems unfair to buyers who assume "used" implies some operational guarantee. Ebay should enforce stricter rules to differentiate between genuinely used items and those being sold for parts or repairs. I have reported many listings but the AI for ebay sucks and nothing is done.
tobaccocardyahoo
·Sep 7, 2026 at 3:10 PMUntested or as is are not a way of avoiding an Item Not As Described return.
They are a way to deter buyers who know nothing about Ebay policy or the item they are buying.
It works well for enough items by scaring away some high risk buyers before they buy. Well worth the few extra words.
shado-x
·Sep 7, 2026 at 3:03 PMFinally someone said this:
inhawaii
·Sep 7, 2026 at 3:01 PM"As-is" doesn't mean a thing.
If I want my money back, I'm getting my money back.
As a buyer, ebay offers me a money back guarantee.
soh.maryl
·Sep 7, 2026 at 2:02 PMAs a buyer, I find it pretty easy to just hit the "back button" when those words appear in a listing.
bashort
·Sep 7, 2026 at 2:44 PMAs a buyer I am absolutely attracted to sellers that use item condition used, says item is "untested" and does not take returns.
This is where the bargains are.
squinkercat59
·Sep 7, 2026 at 1:42 PMI am pretty sure that those huge piles of jewelry or coins that say 'untested' are indeed gone through first. The sellers are just capitalizing on the buyer's hopes there is something valuable in there, and absolving themselves of any responsibility when there isn't.
bashort
·Sep 7, 2026 at 12:10 PMI would never use the term "untested" no matter the item condition, if it is a for parts item just be very clear that it is non functional item in the title and description
ten_o_nine
·Sep 6, 2026 at 11:20 PMYou are reporting a protected cash cow.
"Untested" is code for "Broken."
If you see "Untested" from a mega-charity seller, assume it is 100% dead. If you want to gamble on it anyway, do it.
christworks
·Sep 6, 2026 at 10:33 PM · Edited@europa_nomadic eBay does enforce such rules in their MBG policy. This policy has but one flaw: Buyers must know it, undersatnd it, and apply it.
eBay defines the used condition as an item that is fully functional. Sellers, whether is is a casual seller, professional reseller or charity, can say an item is untested and sold-as is. None of that language overrides eBay's MBG policy. Naturally these sellers have a no returns policy, and savvy buyers know how to target such listings and sellers to end up with a free item or partial refund. There are sellers who purposefully buy these type of things, get refunded when they file an INAD, and then fix up the item to flip.
eBay does not need to do anything. It falls on sellers and buyers to know policy.
stainlessenginecovers
·Sep 6, 2026 at 10:30 PMThis is ALREADY addressed and has been for years.
Used- means it works
For Parts etc. is just that and typically does NOT work.
Does NOT matter what a seller 'states' in their listing.
It is simply how it's listed.
Any buyer can 'return' for 'not as described' if a USED item does NOT work, and does NOT matter WHAT the seller states.
europa_nomadic
OPSep 6, 2026 at 11:02 PMYeah, and who wants to waste their time and run to fedex to return a brick? The same way Ebay will make your return bogus returns, they shouldn't allow bogus sales.
jonathanbrightlight
·Sep 7, 2026 at 11:50 AMAnd if you bought something from a store and it didn't work, you wouldn't want to "waste your time" and run back to the store to return it? It's really no different. eBay doesn't have anything in their possession, so they can't determine ahead of time what is or isn't "bogus".
kensgiftshop
·Sep 7, 2026 at 7:03 PMDon't waist your time, don't buy those items.
mamacassidy
·Sep 6, 2026 at 10:26 PMI agree that it is misleading for sellers to say "as-is", which basically implies that the item MAY or MAY NOT work.
However, I also believe that buyers should take a few minutes to learn what protections they have when they make purchases, from ebay or any other place of business. As far as ebay goes, the ebay money-back-guarantee overrides the seller's "as-is" claim.
A super quick Google search is literally all it takes...
adamcartwright
·Sep 6, 2026 at 10:50 PMAnd buyers are also free to message questions to the seller and proceed accordingly.
grann-4629
·Sep 7, 2026 at 7:33 PMRemember that some sellers will immediately block you if you ask a question. This was discussed in a previous thread.
adamcartwright
·Sep 6, 2026 at 10:17 PMNot sure I understand your beef.
If you have a problem with something you've purchased, then come here and ask.
jonathanbrightlight
·Sep 6, 2026 at 10:15 PMThe eBay 30 Day Money Back Guarantee overrides that in most cases, unless they're in a category where "For Parts or Not Working" is available and limits returns to 3 days. So it doesn't sidestep eBay's guarantee at all, it just means they chose an incorrect condition.
mam98031
·Sep 6, 2026 at 10:01 PMI see lots of listings that say "as is" and the such. It isn't limited to the seller you name, so I'm not sure if you just have a beef with those you named or the issue for you holds true for any seller that does this. I personally have purchased a few times over the years from the seller you named and I honestly have not had an issue.