Salvaged vs Reclaimed in Item Specifics under "Features". What's the difference?

[ltldpr]

Hi again!

My family has what we call a "Salvage" business. We salvage anything and everything we can from structures before they are demolished. 

However, in the listing tool for Item Specifics and under "Features" is a drop down list with both Salvaged and Reclaimed. 

I did an online search because I never really thought about it before, but only came back with salvaged titles and reclaimed wood on the first page and some "diffwiki" that said this: "

In transitive terms the difference between reclaim and salvage

is that reclaim is to tame or domesticate a wild animal while salvage is to make new or restore for the use of being saved." 

No wild animals here hahaha, and that's no help at all either.  

So, does anyone know the difference between "Salvaged" and "Reclaimed" when dealing with light fixtures, door knobs, hardware, building materials, etc. when it comes to eBay buyers and what they consider the difference? 

Thank you for your help as well.

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@ltldpr 

Hmmm, well to me the words are similar.  To reclaim means to rescue an item and update it to work as intended originally.  

    Salvage means saving an item from being destroyed and lost for good.

     Repurpose would be redo or change the original look or use into something newer.

      Just my thoughts, no dictionary needed!

[slippinjimmy]

I don't think "features" is a Required Item Specifics (in any Category) which means you don't need to use it at all. If you as the seller can't figure out which is appropriate for your listings I think it's likely your potential buyers don't know and don't care either.

I have my own idea of the difference in the two words but when I look up the dictionary definition apparently/maybe my idea might not be the same as someone else might have.

FYI - Most seller fill out the REQUIRED Item Specifics and nothing else, some sellers fill out the required ones then skim over the "recommended" ones and perhaps complete a few of them.

[mtgraves7984]

@ltldpr 

Scroll your 'wikidiff' (verbs) and check this out.
- Reclaim - To obtain useful products from waste; to recycle.
- Salvage - To make new or restore for the use of being saved.

To me, if you're not touching them (beyond 'obtaining')... they're Reclaimed. If you're updating... they're 'Salvaged'.

[the_fancy_fox]

Personally I would just say used. Then describe the item to the fullest.

[redmodelt]

That was going to be my reply too! 

[ltldpr]

Thanks everyone!

I align with the definitions mentioned by  @silverstatetreasureboxes 

In the future, I am going to stop wasting my time on the non-mandatory descriptors which was suggested by @slippinjimmy 

However, just saying used like @the_fancy_fox and @redmodelt suggested is a valid point and I can't be accused of misleading descriptors if I just say used. 

@mtgraves7984 to me, it's opposite lol and that's why I asked. I'm sure there are buyers who think like you and opposite of me on the definitions and I don't want to be accused of misleading someone. 

Thanks, again to everyone who answered. I listed one of the items already. I'm going to leave it as is but skip all the extras in the following days.

[redmodelt]

🙂 I have sold a lot of items that were going to be "repurposed" by the buyer! Ya, I know, just another take on used stuff. LOL