NIB? What does that mean?

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MrPres

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Sep 12, 2005
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So here's a question... Say I order a new knife, receive the knife, open the package, inspect the knife (maybe open it a couple times if it's a folder), then put it back in the package. Is it legit to sell that knife as NIB?
 
Let's flip your question around. State a legitimate reason why it wouldn't be.
 
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OF course it is as long as it shows absolutely no sign of wear.
 
mossyhorn said:
OF course it is as long as it shows absolutely no sign of wear.
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+1 This seems to be the standard definition of 'NIB' on the exchange here. For instance, many people like to see pictures of the particular knife that's up for sale -- not just stock photos -- which of course requires that the seller take it out of the box/package so he can photograph it.
 
NIB to me is as if I got it straight from the factory/original reseller.
Unopened blister packs, unbroken seals etc.
 
I check out and inspect every item when I order stock so does that mean what I'm selling is used? I think not.
 
Yes I tend to agree with most of you. However, I know that some people (like nodh who previously posted) would feel lied to if the knife had been taken out of the package. So I guess I'm trying to get a general consensus on what exactly "NIB" means.
 
Bryan J said:
Let's flip your question around. State a legitimate reason why it wouldn't be.
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For the same reason that if you buy a car off the lot and drive it across the street, you can no longer sell it as a new car.
 
MrPres said:
For the same reason that if you buy a car off the lot and drive it across the street, you can no longer sell it as a new car.
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Could you articulate specifically what this reason is? The analogy is false for a variety of reasons. Driving a car off the lot puts mileage on the engine and wear on a variety of components that make up a highly expensive, complex machine. A knife is a simple object. There are many things that can go wrong with a car, and most of these things can not readily be detected by simple inspection. A knife's condition is rather obvious. There's also a tremendous difference in risk owing to the price point disparity.
 
MrPres said:
For the same reason that if you buy a car off the lot and drive it across the street, you can no longer sell it as a new car.
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If I, as a consumer buy a car, it becomes "owned" by an individual and is no longer necessarily "new" and is resold under different conditions and legalities. If I, as a dealer, buy a car from another dealer, drive it across town to my lot, I can still sell it as a NEW car.

A car arrives to the dealer with plastic wrap, shipping materials, foam bumpers, dirt, grime, and other results of the manufacturing and shipping process. The dealer takes the time to prep the car by removing all "packaging" cleaning it, and putting it OUTSIDE :eek: on display. The car is probably washed weekly and moved around the lot to change the display pattern, but it's still NEW.

If I, as a dealer, let you come and take my NEW car for a test drive and you decide not to buy it, it is still a new car because ownership has not yet changed hands. However, if I'm selling a knife NIB, and I let you take the knife out and give it a test run by batoning, whittling, or field dressing an animal, it's no longer NIB.

If you see a knife for sale NIB and there are pictures that are obviously not stock photos, the knife has been removed from the packaging. You can always ask the seller for details.

If you prefer NIB to mean never removed from the factory packaging, do you stick it in your safe that way so you can sell it later as NIB or do you just like to have the pleasure of breaking that seal yourself?

My $.02
 
Felt the need to chime in. I sell things on ebay as NIB. To me it means no sign of wear, in some cases I even open the item to inspect for factory defect and sell it as NIB.
 
MrPres said:
For the same reason that if you buy a car off the lot and drive it across the street, you can no longer sell it as a new car.
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Have you ever bought a car with zero miles on it? I think not. Test driving said vehicle would not make it classify as used, try getting awwy with that at a dealership.
I appreciate what dealers like TKAZ do, inspect a knife before shipping. I dislike paying $200+ for a knife and it arrives with crooked blade, covered in oil, dirty, off fit and finish.
 
If its NIB I personally would be much happier knowing it was inspected by the seller for defects, let it be known though. Save's the question "was it NIB?" if the buyer ends up with a flawed or defective knife.
 
Once a consumer takes the knife out of the box and plays with it using the same hand with which he just scratched his doodle and picked his nose, its no longer NIB. It becomes "Like New in Box".

I apply the same standard to everything from Big Macs to new cars. Once a consumer has owned it and played with it, it can never again be un-owned and called new.

I know I'm in the minority on this one. :thumbup:
 
powernoodle said:
Once a consumer takes the knife out of the box and plays with it using the same hand with which he just scratched his doodle and picked his nose, its no longer NIB. It becomes "Like New in Box".

I apply the same standard to everything from Big Macs to new cars. Once a consumer has owned it and played with it, it can never again be un-owned and called new.

I know I'm in the minority on this one. :thumbup:
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Can't really argue that.
 
powernoodle said:
Once a consumer takes the knife out of the box and plays with it using the same hand with which he just scratched his doodle and picked his nose, its no longer NIB. It becomes "Like New in Box".

I apply the same standard to everything from Big Macs to new cars. Once a consumer has owned it and played with it, it can never again be un-owned and called new.

I know I'm in the minority on this one. :thumbup:
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Straw man. The issue here is one of a condition designation; the OP is asking what the general consensus is amongst knife traders as regards knives described as being "NIB". Nobody is claiming that "NIB" means "unowned".
 
To a degree, I think it depends on the knife in question.
Most of the time, to me, NIB on a knife means:
• The knife is in new, unused and undamaged condition.
- - Opening the package carefully to inspect for damage during shipment is okay.
- - Opening and closing the knife a few times is okay.
- - Performing any cutting or sharpness tests is NOT okay. It is now in "like new" condition.
• All other contents of the original packaging are included (paperwork, warranty cards, etc...)
• The original packaging must be in a reasonable condition.
- - Obviously some packages arrive at their final destination with a little damage to no ill effect. A slightly crushed box is fine. Busted factory seals are fine, but I would note this in the sale.


Where I could see this getting tricky is with collectibles. Certain things are just worth more when in original factory packaging that hasn't been tampered with or damaged in any way.
That said, knives ≠ action figures. It really depends on what the buyer is looking for and in that respect, they should be asking questions if it is important to them.
 
As long as the knife hasn't been used in any way, shape, or form, and doesn't have any fingerprints or corruption on it (ie: it is just as it came from the factory for all intents and purposes), I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be considered New.

As long as it comes with the original box, therefore, it would by definition be considered 'new in box'.
 
You do all realize that a "new" knife is subjected to a variety of "tests", including repeatedly being opened and closed at the production level prior to ever being put in a box?

A knife can't be considered NIB because one opened and closed it for inspection prior to sending off to a individual? Huh...What?

I'm all for discussion here, but really?
 
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