OUR GRADING SYSTEM

Transparent. Consistent. Reseller-Approved.

Every item we sell is manually checked and graded in-house using the same criteria our resellers rely on.

Our grading system is designed to be clear, consistent and resale-focused — so you know exactly what to expect before you buy.

Scroll down for a full breakdown of each grade ↓
A GRADE

Great overall condition. Minimal wear. Highest resale potential.

  • Light signs of wear only
  • No major flaws or damage
  • Ideal for premium listings
B GRADE

Good wearable condition with visible but acceptable wear.

  • Washable marks, fading & wear
  • May need extra attention
  • Strong value for volume resellers
C GRADE

Heavily worn items suited to repair, rework or budget resale.

  • Large stains and repairs needed
  • Will require cleaning or fixing
  • Best for upcyclers & bulk sellers

How We Grade

Every piece is assessed in-house using the same consistent checks. We grade on condition and resale viability — not hype, brand, or trend value.

Stains & Marks

Visibility, size, placement, and likelihood of washing out.

Holes & Damage

Tears, pinholes, seam splits, and overall integrity.

Fabric Wear

Thinning, pilling, pulls, and general fabric fatigue.

Print / Graphics

Cracking, fading, peel, and overall presentation.

Shape / Fit

Stretching, shrinkage, warping, and collar/cuff wear.

Hardware

Zips, buttons, snaps, and fastening function (where applicable).

Grade Breakdown

Tap a grade to view exactly what you can expect — including typical flaws and resale notes.

A Grade

Premium Vintage

Minimal wear. Highest resale potential. Best for premium listings.

You may see

  • Light wash wear / gentle fading
  • Minor pilling or lint (normal vintage)
  • Very small, low-visibility marks

You won’t see

  • Large visible stains
  • Holes/tears or major repairs needed
  • Major structural issues affecting wearability

Resale notes: Lowest prep time, highest sell-through. Perfect for curated drops and premium bundles.

B Grade

Good Wearable Vintage

Visible but acceptable wear. Strong value for volume resellers.

You may see

  • Washable marks or small staining
  • Noticeable fading / general wash wear
  • Cracking, flaws on graphic
  • Split knees and broken belt loops on pants
  • Missing Tags, streatched necklines, missing drawstrings

You won’t see

  • Multiple large stains across the garment
  • Severe damage making the item unwearable
  • “Bin stock” level condition dumping

Resale notes: Best margins in bulk. Some items may need cleaning, steaming, or minor fixes before listing.

C Grade

Project / Rework Stock

Heavy wear. Best suited for repair, rework, upcycling, or budget resale.

You may see

  • Large stains, heavy discolouration
  • Holes/tears - repairs required
  • Damaged linings and flaking
  • Heavy fading, thinning, stretched shape

Good to know

  • Best used for rework/upcycling or clearance sellers
  • Prep time is higher (cleaning/repair)
  • Condition is reflected in the price/value

Resale notes: Ideal for creatives and bulk sellers who can repair, rework, or sell as budget vintage.

Condition on Arrival

How your vintage stock is stored, transported, and what to expect when it arrives.

Baled for Transport

To move large volumes safely and efficiently, items are packed and transported in compressed bales. This can cause temporary creasing or compression marks.

Not Pre-Washed

Most items are not washed prior to dispatch. This preserves fabric integrity and keeps stock in its original vintage condition.

Freshen Before Listing

Washing and/or steaming is the best way to refresh items, release bale creases, and help reduce or remove light marks picked up during storage.

Creases, light marks, or compression lines caused by baling are not grading faults and are considered normal for vintage wholesale.

FAQs

Vintage is pre-loved by nature. These answers help set clear expectations before you order.

Is A Grade flawless?
No vintage item is “brand new”. A Grade means no major stains, holes, or structural damage — but light wear and age-related character can still be present.
Are marks in B Grade always washable?
Many marks are washable, but not all. B Grade is priced for value and may include visible wear that could need cleaning or extra attention.
Can I request “no stains” or “no holes”?
We can’t guarantee zero imperfections with vintage, but choosing A Grade significantly reduces the chance of noticeable flaws.
Do you grade based on brand or trend value?
No — we grade purely on condition and wearability. That keeps grading consistent and objective across every bundle.
What does a blended grade (A/B or B/C) mean?
Blended grades contain a mix of two adjacent grades.

For example:
  • A/B Grade = a mix of A Grade and B Grade items
  • B/C Grade = a mix of B Grade and C Grade items
You can expect roughly a 50/50 split between the two grades across the bundle.
Why do blended grades exist?
Vintage stock naturally sits on a condition spectrum. Some items fall between grades and don’t fit cleanly into a single category.

Blended grades allow us to:
  • Grade honestly rather than forcing items into the wrong tier
  • Offer better value on borderline stock
  • Keep grading fair and consistent across large volumes
This approach benefits volume buyers and resellers who understand vintage condition variation.
Is the split always exactly 50/50?
While we aim for an even split, blended bundles may vary slightly depending on available stock.

You should expect the bundle to clearly reflect both grades overall, rather than leaning heavily toward one side.
What if an item feels misgraded?
All items are graded by hand, by humans — not machines.

While we work hard to stay consistent, a small margin of error is unavoidable with vintage.

Please allow for a ~10% grading variance across any bundle. This means a small number of items may sit slightly above or below the stated gradeing system above.

If something is clearly outside expectations, reach out — we’ll always review it fairly.

Still have questions?

If you’re unsure which grade is right for you, or need clarification on anything, our team is happy to help.

Contact us at support@notanotherwholesale.com