Grading DVD Disc Only Discs

[redwagontrading]

I have a separate store that only does 'disc only' media. I've always graded as 'acceptable' even if it was brand new out of the case. As disc only listings have become more prevalent it's quite obvious most do not follow this grading per the grading info bubble. I've meant to ask in the last ebay open and forgot.

So, if I'm selling a dvd, as advertised without a case or artwork, can I grade the actual disc and not what a 'whole' dvd would be i.e. acceptable? I still would never use brand new, though I've seen that done as well and it makes my eye twitch. LOL Common sense is warring with my OCD, just want to know if it actually matters.

[hartungcards]

"I've seen that done as well and it makes my eye twitch."

You'll be wanting to get that checked out by an ophthalmologist.

[gator08041971]

I have been selling them based on overall condition.  I always sell movies or shows with their original cases intact though, never discs by themselves.

For me, its either:

• New.  Which implies the package is still sealed. (this doesn't mean the media can't be damaged inside a new package - I have ran into this many times over the years)
• Like New, which for me means the case and the disc(s) all look brand new, no damage, marks or scuffs.
• Very Good - Which honestly is just a bit less nice than a new condition.  Might have a small imperfection in the case, like some slight physical wear from normal use, but nothing else.  Disc play surface should still look new.

At this point, all three of the above assume nothing is wrong with any of the media.  The casing has no damage, cracks or missing items, and the discs have no scratches or issues.

Beyond that, you have:

• Good - Casing might have some scuffs or potentially small cracks but still intact.  Discs might have some light scuffs or scratches, but still play perfectly fine.
• Acceptable - That usually means the item is in its worst but still playable condition. (I have encountered discs at this level that would sometimes have issues) 

Beyond this, you trash it.  But all of this is purely subjective.  Just as what I listed above is mostly my interpretation, someone else may interpret it differently.

But in my case, for example all the listings I have up currently have all been tested and inspected.  Every one.  Junk copies were tossed.  Pretty much how I handle it, but again, that's my interpretation.  Good luck though with your listings!  

[redwagontrading]

This is all pretty much as I do for my regular dvd listings as well. I don't sell scratched discs period. Including the disc only. Their either perfect or near perfect. If it's questionable it's tested. But per ebays regular dvd grading system it should still be listed as acceptable just because it doesn't have a box. That's the question I have. 

[untod]

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@redwagontrading wrote:

Common sense is warring with my OCD, just want to know if it actually matters.

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Ask your buyers. Or better yet: stop using "grading", and simply describe the item in verbose form, with lots of pics showing the condition, and actually throw it in a DVD drive in a computer that will analyze the entire disc for read errors. Back when I was... uuuh, BACKING UP (yeah!) my DVDs, that software was common, cheap or free, and VERY quick & effective.

Non-subjective descriptions are always best.

[redwagontrading]

Welp condition is kinda mandatory. Can't leave that out. I guess grading was the wrong word, but same difference.

[redwagontrading · Accepted solution]

I talked to ebay on the phone today and they confirmed that the condition should be for the actual disc(for 'disc only', meaning for a 'very good' disc I can put the condition as very good and not 'acceptable' just because it doesn't have a box. And make sure to note everything in the description.

Just updating who may look for this answer in the future.

[jonathanbrightlight]

So in my reading of the condition guidelines, I see this line in the "Good" condition for Movies & TV, Music, Video Games: "The VHS or DVD box is included."

In Acceptable, it says "There may be tears or holes in the VHS/DVD box. The video game instructions and box may not be included."

So by that, I would say you were doing it right originally, based on a strict reading of the guidelines.  You are right, of course, that many sellers do not follow those guidelines, knowingly or unknowingly, but I would say that answers the question of what eBay officially says publicly.

[onefootflipper]

I think the sort of customers buying untracked disc only movies for 99 cents are not exactly going to be all that concerned with grading in the first place. 

All my collector cards have the same grade assigned to them. I am just not dealing with trying to assign acccurate grades to near worthless items.