What Does New Old Stock (NOS) Mean on eBay?

You might have seen eBay listings containing the term “NOS” and wondered what “NOS” means. This acronym stands for “New Old Stock” and refers to new and unused merchandise that was manufactured and remains unsold.

These items may have been on store shelves and warehouses for a period of time without having been sold (often referred to as aged stock). As eBay doesn’t have a dedicated category for New Old Stock products, sellers typically list them as either new or pre-owned with a NOS prefix or suffix in the title.

However, NOS items listed as “pre-owned” must not have been opened or used at any point. You should always read the listing description carefully before purchasing items that are listed as New Old Stock before your purchase.

Which Items Are Typically Listed as New Old Stock (NOS)? 

Sellers on eBay offer a variety of products listed as NOS. They are typically items that have newer versions or styles available such as watches, electronics, spare parts, and clothing.

For instance, a watch that is listed on eBay with a NOS suffix indicates that it’s been unused (in brand new condition) and still in its original packaging, but it’s been stocked for a while.

Other examples include clothing pieces that are ‘New Old Stock’, signifying that they are unworn garments (brand new), complete with original retail tags, but may have been manufactured during the last season.

Why Do Sellers List NOS Items?

Sellers typically list items as New Old Stock to indicate that they are selling aged stock that is still brand new and has not been used. Some sellers have stock that has not been sold, as they may not be in high demand (typically for vintage or collector’s items).

• Appreciated in Value – NOS items can appreciate in value if they are no longer being manufactured and sold in retail outlets. The same also applies to limited edition and collector’s items as they were manufactured for only a limited period.

• Resale For Profit – Some eBay sellers purchase or bid on NOS items from other sellers with the intention of selling them at a higher price. These sellers typically look out for NOS items that are undervalued.

• Business Model – Many eBay sellers specialize in selling vintage items and collectibles. This business model can lead to great profit because many people are always looking for vintage items due to their uniqueness and limited availability.

• Reducing Inventory – Products such as clothing pieces can be seasonal and may be harder to sell once they are out of season. Some sellers mark items as NOS with a discount to free up inventory space for newer items.

Why Purchase New Old Stock (NOS) Items?

Buyers may seek out New Old Stock items for various reasons. Some of these reasons include the following.

• Higher Demand – People who own vintage or antique products, such as cars or watches, are willing to go to great lengths to keep them functioning and properly maintained. Many buyers often purchase NOS parts as these items are the best possible replacement parts for the car or watch.

• Limited Edition – Some items are considered NOS because they are no longer being produced, such as collectible cards, comics, etc. This makes them “limited edition” items, even if they weren’t labeled as such when they were originally manufactured.

• New Condition – NOS items are essentially in new condition. Since New Old Stock listings are unopened and unused, these items tend to be in mint condition and are preferred over used items.  

What Should I Look For When Purchasing Items Listed as NOS?

It is vital to confirm a few things before going ahead and purchasing a ‘New Old Stock’ listing on eBay. You should always carefully read through the item description the seller has created, as this will tell you about the item and its condition.

You should also scrutinize the photos the seller has uploaded or ask them for additional photos to make a thorough assessment. Some other factors to consider in determining if the NOS listing is genuine as mentioned below.  

Is the Price Too Good To Be True? 

If the NOS item has been listed at a price that is much lower than expected, it could be a cause for concern. There’s a good chance the item isn’t actually New Old Stock and the seller is trying to advertise it as such in hopes of securing a sale. 

In the event that the price seems too good to be true, contact the seller and ask them why they are selling the item at that price. If their reasons seem legitimate to you and feel trustworthy, it could be a great deal.

Otherwise, if the seller doesn’t seem trustworthy, it may be better to be safe than sorry and pass on the opportunity.

What Is the Condition of the Item? 

Some eBay items may be listed as NOS, but are described as “used”. It’s possible for items such as watches to have been manufactured but never sold. However, to be considered a NOS item, it must be a new old stock and never used nor worn. 

In this situation, the watch may never have been worn by anyone, but you should still take the time to scrutinize the photos on the eBay listing and determine why the seller has described the item as “used” in the listing description. 

If you have doubts about the item’s condition, consider asking the seller for more photos or videos. If the seller seems hesitant to do so, they may be hiding the truth about the item and its condition.

Are There Any Damages? 

It’s possible for a NOS item to be damaged despite it being new and unused. This is because an item that has been around for many years could have developed scratches or scuff marks from being handled or moved around.

This item technically isn’t used, but it is damaged. For this reason, you should always check if the seller has described any damages in the listing description.

You should also check all of the photos in the listing to determine if the damages appear to be from routine handling or if the item has been damaged from wear and tear. 

Is It Readily Available in Retail Stores? 

Many sellers may take creative liberties with the term “NOS”, especially since there is no guideline on how old the item needs to be considered in order to be categorized as NOS. 

For this reason, some sellers may take items from store shelves that are days “old” and list them as NOS to justify selling them at high prices. For this reason, you should check to see if the NOS item you are about to purchase is available in retail outlets.

Is There an Authenticity Guarantee? 

Some eBay listings contain a tag advertising that the item is authentic. This means that the item gets verified by an authenticator before it gets delivered, this helps to ensure that the item received is indeed authentic. 

How to Find New Old Stock (NOS) Items

eBay doesn’t consider New Old Stock items to be an official classification. As a result, you won’t find any “New Old Stock” or “NOS” filters on eBay. However, you can still spot the “New Old Stock” or “NOS” terms in the listing’s title and description.

You can find New Old Stock items on eBay using the following steps:

1. Locate the search bar on the top of eBay’s homepage,
2. Type in the name of the item, followed by “New Old Stock” or “NOS” and hit “Search”.
3. Browse through the various listings that come up and click the ones containing the “New Old Stock” or “NOS”
4. Read the NOS listing descriptions and determine if it is actually NOS. Don’t forget to also review the seller’s photos to verify that the seller’s claims about the item’s NOS condition are true.
5. If the NOS item fits your requirements, you can hit the “Buy It Now” or “Add to Cart” buttons to purchase it.