Racquet Condition Rating

[chad571]

Just to clarify "excellent condition" I created this post to see what others considered what a used racquet to be in "excellent condtion" means. The racquet I purchased (from a guy selling on the TW bulletin) was a used Wilson 6.0 95 and in "excellent condition". Once I received the racquet, the racquet frame itself was in sound condition, however the racquet's bumper guard was very chewed up as well as several scrapes along the frame and the strings were very worn. I considered the racquet to be in fair condition once I actually received it. Your comments on what you would expect a used racquet in "excellent condition" means.

 

[tandayu]

I never buy used racket based on the seller's rating/explanation.

I ask for the pictures. If the price is quite significant, I would ask the seller to unstrung the racket & take off the bumper guard. Ask for paint chip, hair line crack, scrapes, scratches, etc. Ditto if I am the seller, I try to tell them as detail as possible about he condition, and ask the potential buyer if they are really sure about the purchase based on the racket condition. I also make sure they understand that I am not in the business of selling racket.

However, if it is in the range of $5-$20, it is ok sometimes to take the risk.

If I believe the seller's rating, it is my problem & their luck (Caveat emptor).

 

[AndrewD]

Personally I think that excellent condition implies no significant scratches or scrapes to any part of the frame. I also think the only way to rate a frame is 'new', 'as new -meaning has been strung but not played with or used only once', excellent', 'good' and 'fair'. Too often people seem to have a couple of definitions for the same condition. What you bought sounds like it would qualify as 'fair-good' condition, meaning that it is structurally sound but with significant signs of play.

 

[ffrpg]

To me, a frame in excellent condition means that the frame itself is very clean in appearance with maybe a paint chip or a small scratch. As for the bumper guard, scratches are normal, unless it's really worn down. I bought some racquets that were stated to be in 9/10 condition, but it had lots of scratches, paintchips, and the bumperguard had a good amount of wear on it. I really didn't care since I got a great deal. Anyway, always go with pictures so you know exactly what you're getting.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

Get pictures ... close ups. And ask the Seller for an "x/10" rating ... and subtract two points from their rating. You'll come much closer to reality.

- KK

 

[kinsella]

For me, excellent could mean a little wear on the bumper, but no scratches on the frame that are immediately seen and maybe one or two little ones. Variations are in the 9/10 to 9.9/10.

Good means no exposed graphite anywhere, but allows for some court rash. These vary in the 8/10 range.

7/10 means no cracks, but some graphite showing, and I am not interested.

I don't consider string condition part of the racquet condition, but describe it separately.

My buyers have been satisfied and agreed with my descriptions, except for the times they thought I under-rated the racquet (that is, they would have rated it higher). I am not likely to go to the trouble of pictures, because I have not needed to. If I had an excellent condition St. Vincent and wanted $150, I would consider pictures a must. Most of the racquets I have bought and sold were commodities.

 

[joe sch]

new - never played
new old stock (NOS) - new but often has storage scuffs or dirt
mint - looks new but but may have been hit
excellent - very little signs of any play
VG - signs of play and wear is mostly cosmetic, no major paint wear or chips
Good - paint wear and/or chips but frame still fine for much more play/stringing
Fair - extensive play which may have weakened frame and make it a risk to restring
I like to use +/- with above descriptions and prefer good pictures so extensive description is not necessary. I dont like the 1..10 ranking system since it is soo subjective and inconsistent between diff buyer & selller expectations