Terms

[playmofire]

In Playmobil Collector, the following descriptions are used:

MISB/MISP - mint in sealed box or package
NRFB - never removed from box

The package was never opened and is, for example, still shrink wrapped or sealed with the original adhesive tape

MIMB/MIMP - mint in mint box or package

Both the item and opened box are in perfect condition.  All parts are included.

MIB/MIP - mint in box or package

The object is in perfect condition with the box/package.  All accessories are included.  There is no information on the condition of the package and it may well be defective.

LOOSE - the item is loose and in a perfect condition but is missing the box.  All parts are included.

From Playmobil Collector volume 3, page 110

[Sylvia]

This is a very useful topic, especially for people who are just starting to buy from ebay.

I've never seen EUC before. I wonder if that is only used in the US?

When I see a set described as "loose" I never immediately assume all the parts are in perfect condition or that everything is included. I think that is not an entirely accurate description given in the Collector book.

I like your suggested terms, Martin. If only the sellers would use those ones where necessary, it might save us all a lot of bother.

[Bill Blackhurst]

BEWARE  ! Even if the auction says MISB, NRFB, you are taking risks as I found out when winning an auction a while back on eBay  ! The title claimed that a set #5721 was MISB, & it appeared that way when I received it! But much later when I opened it to be assembled, & it was sealed with hot glue just as from the factory, I found that there were items missing, it had been previously assembled with the plastic bags tore open, & the flag at the front of the Zodiac boat was broke off at the base of the mount! I was horrified to think other items I had won over time that were still stored away as I had originally received them, may not be MISB, NRFB as listed!  Now keep in mind I have not had problems like this before, but on high dollar items like my 3551 fishing trawler that I paid mega bucks for , you get worried now of whether to break the tape or defeat the hot glue seals & open items like it to check, or leave them what you would consider MISB  ? Are they as presented? Do you open them to check? 

[reylocann]

Over the past few months I have had a LOT of experience with ebay and Playmobil.  I  have done some selling and some buying.  Personally, I use MISB when describing items that have never been opened AND the box itself is in MINT condition.  When the box itself is damaged, I use MIB, show pictures of the damage and stress that it has never been opened.  If the box has been opened but the contents are 100% I use NIB and again, post photos and accurate description.  
Be VERY careful when the seller says 99% complete.  More often than not, the set is missing substantial parts or has other parts substituted.  Make sure there is a list of all included parts or missing parts and ask the seller for an inventory. Sometimes the seller is not a fanatic - as we all are here - and doesn't really know the set inventory so do the research yourself!  Another frequent claim is "never been played with" - don't assume it's 100% complete just because it's "never been played with" - I have the small Victorian house that was basically looked at, partially assembled, and put immediately back in the box but when I went to inventory the set, one piece was missing!
There are some sellers out there that you really need to be careful with.... If a "stock" photo is used, ask the seller for pics of the actual item you are bidding on... also, be very careful with sellers who offer a bunch of sets all at once.  Some of the Playmofriends have noted weird goings on!
I, myself, am curious about the people who sell set after set without boxes but claim they are new in original playmobil packaging [most often seen in the Victorian listings].  How do they come by 5 of the same set without the boxes and still in original packaging???
Regarding shipping, I have had two odd experiences as a seller.  I sold a huge lot of display sets and forgot to put one of the boxes in the original shipment.  Being the ADD person that I am, I packed up the loose set, took it to the post office mailed it with delivery confirmation and forgot about it.  Needless to say, the piece got lost and I lost the delivery confirmation slip.  I offered the buyer compensation but it ended up being escalated and he filed a claim.  Long story short, he wanted a refund on the ENTIRE purchase - Paypal sided with me because he refused to send back the parcels he did receive but it was a very big pain in the !!  On December 5th, I sent a parcel to Mexico - it has travelled far and wide and to this day has not arrived at its' intended location...from Ohio to Mexico via AUSTRALIA  
Anyway, ask the seller for the package specifics - dimensions and weight - and go to USPS and find what it SHOULD cost.  If it is an expensive item I add a handling charge that covers the insurance -never more than $5.00 domestic and $10.00 international.

The majority of sellers are honest folk but there are some real pieces of work out there too!
Bottom line is: ASK QUESTIONS!  If the seller doesn't respond - watch out!

[Rasputin]

There are some sellers out there that you really need to be careful with.... If a "stock" photo is used, ask the seller for pics of the actual item you are bidding on... also, be very careful with sellers who offer a bunch of sets all at once.  Some of the Playmofriends have noted weird goings on!
I, myself, am curious about the people who sell set after set without boxes but claim they are new in original playmobil packaging [most often seen in the Victorian listings].  How do they come by 5 of the same set without the boxes and still in original packaging???

Hi Annie 

   I too wonder about these sellers who have what seems dozens of one set with out the box. They claim the items are in the bag but where did the box go ? Some are from Mexico and they have some old Victorian sets  They list them as new and have a picture showing the lack of a box

   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"

[Sylvia]

Very good tips, Reylocann.

On December 5th, I sent a parcel to Mexico - it has travelled far and wide and to this day has not arrived at its' intended location...from Ohio to Mexico via AUSTRALIA  

That would not surprise me. I once sent a small airmail package of Playmobil accessories to a buyer in the US. After several weeks it had failed to reach him and we were both certain that it had got completely lost. So I sent off another one to replace the missing package, and lo and behold - the first one finally arrives. You'll never guess where it had been sent to by accident. Bangkok, of all places! I could understand this might happen if the address was handwritten and illegible, but I always use PayPal to print my labels.

Anyway, I thought it was very nice of the Bangkok PO to redirect the package to its correct destination. I'm sure that some post offices don't bother. Otherwise why do so many correctly addressed packages go missing?  

[Feather]

Wow... I never thought there would be so many answers... and so many acronyms!!!

Thank you so much for all of your inputs. Now I have to study and learn some vocabulary lol

Feather