New, Used, or Pre-Owned? How We Grade Every Item at Cold Shoulder

Resale condition is the single biggest variable in what something is actually worth — and the place where buyers get burned most often. "Like new" means different things at different shops. "DS" means whatever the seller wants it to mean. We've standardized our grading into three categories with specific, checkable definitions. Here's how it works.

The three grades

Every product on our site is tagged with one of three condition values: New, Used, or Pre-owned. You'll find this in the product details on every listing. Here's what each means.

New

The item has never been worn or used. For sneakers, this means deadstock — the box is intact, the laces are still wrapped, the insoles are clean, and there are no creases on the toe box. For apparel, this means tags are still attached or the piece has never been worn off-hanger. For bags and accessories, this means no signs of carry, no fingerprints on hardware, and original packaging present.

Common questions:

• Are try-ons considered New? Yes, if there's no creasing, no scuffing, and the item is otherwise pristine. Some sneakers crease in 30 seconds of wear; those become Used.
• What about older deadstock? Still New. We note the release year in the description if it's old enough to matter (yellowing, glue separation, etc.).

Used

The item has been worn or used and shows it. For sneakers, this is the most common grade for hyped retros and limited collabs — there's visible wear but the pair is structurally sound and complete. We photograph creasing, scuffs, and any flaws so you see what you're buying before you commit. For apparel, this means a piece that's been worn but is in good condition with no holes, stains, or fading issues.

Used at Cold Shoulder Kicks always means:

• Photographed flaws — we don't hide what's there
• Original box or packaging when available (noted if missing)
• Structurally sound — no failing glue, no separating soles, no broken hardware

Pre-owned

A specific category we use for vintage, archival, and select designer pieces where "Used" doesn't tell the whole story. Pre-owned typically applies to:

• Vintage tees, denim, and outerwear (genuine vintage, not Used)
• Designer bags and accessories with patina or age that's part of the appeal
• Archival designer pieces where prior ownership is part of the value

Pre-owned items are inspected and photographed the same way Used items are, but the framing is different — patina on a 1990s Levi's jacket is a feature, not a flaw, and we price accordingly.

What we don't do

Two practices we've explicitly avoided:

• VNDS, 9.5/10, "like new" — these labels have lost their meaning. We use three clear categories with definitions instead.
• Stock photos for used items. Every Used and Pre-owned product is photographed as-is. If the photo on the listing looks too clean, look at the close-ups.

How condition affects price

For sneakers, the gap between New deadstock and a comparable Used pair is typically 30-50% depending on hype level. For designer bags, the gap between New and Pre-owned can be 50-70% on heavily-used pieces. For vintage apparel, condition is the price — a clean 1990s tee can be 5-10x the price of the same tee with holes.

If you're shopping by budget, sorting by Used or Pre-owned is the fastest way to find designer pieces you can actually afford. If you're building a collection, New is the only grade that holds resale value indefinitely.

What to ask before you buy

Even with our grading system in place, here are three questions worth asking on any high-value purchase:

• What flaws are not visible in the photos?
• Is the box / dust bag / authentication card present?
• For sneakers, what's the heel-to-toe creasing like?

We answer every one of these honestly. We'd rather lose a sale than ship something you didn't expect.

How to filter by condition on our site

Every product page shows the Brand, Product Category, and Condition fields directly. You can also filter our collections by condition to narrow your search — useful if you're specifically hunting deadstock or specifically open to Used pricing.

If you have questions about a specific piece's condition that isn't answered in the listing, message us — we'll send additional photos same-day.