Online Auction Abbreviations
A Guide to Understanding eBay & Auction Acronyms
Last updated: June 08, 2007 (250 entries)
With the growing popularity of online buying
and selling, Internet and online classified lingo has also grown. Being
an eBay buyer long before a seller, I was often confused as to what some
of the abbreviations actually meant. For some time I attributed it to a
seller's unwillingness (or laziness) to use proper words when listing an
item. When I put my first item up for sale on eBay I immediately
understood the importance of using abbreviations in the listing.
In auction and storefront spaces, sellers
are limited to a maximum number of characters in their item
title. For classified ad sellers, you're often limited to a set number of characters in your description.
Abbreviations and acronyms on eBay and other sites are important to
sellers as they allow you to say as more about your item for sale
without going over the character-length requirements. For example, if you
want to tell prospective buyers that your item is available for
local pick up only then to add that to your title you are looking
at 18 characters (including with spaces). Using the abbreviation of LPUO
instead of typing it out leaves you with an additional 14 characters in which to
highlight other features of your item.
Classified Ad providers may require you to use very
specific abbreviations that include a set format for capitalization and punctuation. For online classifieds you should check
that specific Web site for a list of accepted abbreviations.
The following list of abbreviations are widely used Internet
abbreviations and acronyms found on eBay and other online marketplaces. If you know of an online auction or classifieds abbreviation that is not included in our list,
let us know.
Click here for
Text Messaging Abbreviations and Smiley Emoticons
| Abbreviation |
Meaning |
|
Numbers
& Characters |
| 0FB |
Zero feedback, refers to a new member |
| 1st ed. |
First Edition (books, magazines, prints) |
| 1Day |
A one day auction/listing |
| 1TO |
One time only |
| 3Day |
A three day auction/listing |
|
A |
| A+ |
Good condition |
| A/C |
Air conditioning (classifieds, automotive) |
| access. |
Accessories (classifieds) |
| acctg. |
Accounting (classifieds) |
| ADDY |
E-mail address |
| ADV |
Advertise |
| ADV |
Advebture (books) |
| aft. |
After (classifieds) |
| AFAIK |
As far as I know |
| AFFA |
Antique Americana Folk Art |
| AKA |
Also known as |
| AIR |
Airmail |
| AL |
Auction listing |
| ANTH |
Anthology (books) |
| AO |
All original |
| approx. |
Approximately |
| ARC |
Advanced reader copy (books) |
| ASAP |
As soon as possible |
| AS
IS |
"As is / where is".
Usually means no returns. |
| AT |
Automatic (classifieds) |
| AUTO |
Autographed
|
|
B |
| B2B |
Business-to-business |
| B2C |
Business-to-consumer |
| BARE |
No box, accessories etc. |
| BBC |
Bottom back cover (books) |
| BC |
Back cover (books) |
| BCE |
Book club edition (books) |
| BF |
Best fit |
| BJ |
Ball jointed body (dolls & toys) |
| BK |
Bent knee (dolls & toys) |
| BK |
Broken |
| bk. |
Broken (classifieds) |
| bkgrd. |
Background (classifieds) |
| B&M |
Brick-and-mortar (retail store) |
| BLB |
Big little book |
| BL |
Big lot |
| BO |
Best offer |
| BP |
Blister / bubble pack |
| BTS |
Back to school |
| B&W |
Black & white |
| BWI |
Boxed with instructions |
| BC |
Back cover |
| BIN |
Buy it Now (eBay's Instant Purchase) |
| BNWL |
Brand new with label
|
| C |
| c. |
Circa (classifieds) |
| C |
Cartridge (video games) |
| C2C |
Consumer-to-consumer |
| CAYOR |
Cash at your own risk |
| CC |
Cashier's cheque |
| CCG |
Collectible card game |
| CD |
Compact disc |
| CF |
Centerfold (magazines) |
| C&I |
Cartridge and instructions (video games) |
| CIB |
Cartridge in box |
| CLA |
Cleaned, lubricated, adjusted (cameras) |
| CM |
Customized |
| COA |
Certificate of authenticity |
| conven. |
Convenient (classifieds) |
| CPN |
Coupon |
| Cr. |
Circle (classifieds) |
| CS |
Customer service |
| C&S |
Creamer & sugar |
| C&S |
Cup & saucer |
| CT |
Carats (jewelry) |
| Cust. |
Customs
|
| D |
| DBL |
Double |
| DJ |
Dust jacket (books) |
| DOA |
Dead on arrival, meaning item does not work. |
| DUTCH |
Dutch auction, meaning multiple quantities of
the same item are available.
|
|
E |
| ea. |
Each (classifieds) |
| ed. |
Edition |
| EF |
Extra fine |
| emb |
Embossed |
| EP |
Extended play (records, movies) |
| EUC |
Excellent used condition |
| EUR |
Euros |
| EX |
Excellent (condition) |
| exc. |
Excellent (classifieds)
|
|
F |
| F |
Fair (condition) |
| FAQ |
Frequently asked questions |
| FB |
Feedback |
| FC |
Fine condition |
| FC |
Front cover (magazines, books) |
| fdbk |
Feedback |
| FDD |
Computer floppy drive (computers & electronics) |
| F/E |
First edition (books) |
| FEX |
FEDEX / Federal
Express Shipping |
| FN |
Fine (condition) |
| FP |
Fixed price |
| FR |
Fair (condition) |
| FS |
For sale |
| FS |
Factory sealed |
| FSoT |
For sale or trade |
| FT |
For trade |
| FV |
Final value |
| FVF |
Final value fee (eBay) |
| FVFC |
Final value fee credit (eBay)
|
| G |
| G |
Good (condition) |
| galv. |
Galvanized (classifieds) |
| GF |
Gold filled (jewelry) |
| GD |
Good (condition) |
| gen |
General |
| GP |
Gold plate (jewelry) |
| gr |
Grade |
| GU |
Gently used (condition)
|
|
H |
| HB |
Hard back (books) |
| HC |
Hard cover (books) |
| HIC |
Hole in cover (books) |
| HP |
Home page |
| HPF |
Home page featured |
| HTF |
Hard to find
|
|
I |
| IBG |
Inside back cover (books) |
| ICG |
Independent Coin Grading (coins) |
| IFG |
Inside front cover (books) |
| IM |
Instant message |
| IMG |
Image |
| INIT |
Initials |
| ISH |
Issue (magazines) |
| ISO |
In search of
|
|
J |
| JD |
John Deere (classifieds, automotive)
|
|
K |
| kt. |
Karat (jewelry)
|
|
L |
| L |
Large |
| LDYS |
Ladies |
| LF |
Looking for |
| LN |
Like new (condition) |
| LPUO |
Local pick up only |
| lt |
Light |
| LTD |
Limited edition
|
|
M |
| M/ |
Missing |
| MAG |
Magazine |
| MFG |
Manufacturer |
| MIB |
Mint in box |
| MIJ |
Made in Japan |
| MIM |
Make it mine |
| MIMB |
Mint in Mint Box |
| MIU |
Made in USA |
| MNB |
Mint no box |
| MO |
Money order |
| MOC |
Mint on card |
| MOP |
Mother of pearl (jewelry) |
| MOWMT |
Mint with mint tags |
| MS |
Microsoft |
| MS |
Mint state (coins)
|
|
| Abbreviation |
Meaning |
|
N |
| NAP |
Not affected play (records) |
| NARU |
Not a registered user |
| NBW |
Never been worn |
| NC |
No cover (books) |
| NEG |
Negative feedback |
| NIB |
New in box |
| NM |
Near mint |
| NNPW |
New never played with |
| NORES |
No reserve |
| NOS |
New old stock |
| NP |
Not packaged or no package |
| NPB |
Non paying bidder/buyer |
| NR |
No reserve |
| N/R |
No reserve |
| NRFB |
Never removed from box |
| NRP |
Not reproduction |
| NWOT |
New without tags |
| NWT |
New with tags
|
|
O |
| OA |
Online auction |
| OAS |
Online auction site |
| O/C |
On canvas (paintings) |
| OEM |
Original Equipment Manufacturer |
| OLTP |
Online transaction process |
| OOAK |
One of a kind |
| OOP |
Out of print |
| OP |
Original post
|
|
P |
| P |
Poor (condition) |
| PB |
Power brakes (automotive) |
| PCGS |
Professional Coin Grading Service (coins) |
| pd. |
Paid (classifieds) |
| pkg. |
Package (classifieds) |
| PLS |
Please |
| PM |
Post marked |
| PM |
Priority mail |
| POS |
Point of sale |
| PP |
PayPal |
| PR |
Poor (condition) |
| PR |
Proof (coins) |
| priv. |
Private |
| PS |
Power steering (automotive) |
| PW |
Power windows (automotive)
|
|
Q |
| qual. |
Quality or qualifications (classifieds) |
| qtr. |
Quarter or quarterly (classifieds)
|
|
R |
| R |
Reprint (books) |
| RET |
Retired (collectables) |
| RBC |
Right side of back cover (books) |
| ROM |
Romantic (books) |
| RP |
Return policy |
| RP |
Reproduction |
| RSVP |
Respond as soon as possible |
| RS |
Rhinestone (jewelry) |
| RT |
Right |
| RTM |
Read the manual
|
|
S |
| s/ |
Signed (classifieds) |
| SCR |
Scratch (condition) |
| SCU |
Scuff (records) |
| SGN |
Signed |
| S/H (S&H) |
Shipping and handling |
| S/H/I |
Shipping, handling, and insurance |
| SIG |
Signature |
| SLD |
Sealed |
| SLT |
Slight |
| SNAIL MAIL |
Regular surface, basic postal shipping method |
| S/O |
Sold out |
| SS |
Still sealed |
| SS |
Sterling silver (jewelry) |
| SS |
Single sheet (stamps) |
| SSL |
Secure Socket Layer |
| STER |
Sterling |
| STR |
Sell through rate |
| SYI |
Sell your item |
| SZ |
Size
|
|
T |
| TA |
Trading assistant (eBay) |
| TDF |
To die for |
| TIA |
Thanks in advance |
| TM |
Trusted Merchant (Overstock) |
| TM |
Trademark
|
|
U |
| U |
Used |
| UID |
Unpaid items dispute (eBay) |
| UNC |
Un-circulated (coins) |
| UNU |
Unused |
| UPI |
Unpaid item |
| USPS |
United States Postal Service
|
|
V |
| VERO |
Verified registered owner |
| VFM |
Value for money |
| VG |
Very good (condition) |
| VGC |
Very good condition |
| VHTF |
Very hard to find |
| V/M/D |
Visa / Mastercard / Discover
|
|
W |
| W/ (w/) |
With |
| WB |
White border |
| W/C |
Water color (paintings) |
| W/O (w/o) |
Without |
| WOB |
Writing on back |
| WOF |
Writing on face |
| WP |
Waterproof |
| WR |
Water resistant |
| WS |
Widescreen |
| WTB |
Wanted to buy
|
|
X |
| XL |
Extra large
|
|
Y |
| YGF |
Yellow gold filled (jewelry) |
| yr. |
Year (classifieds)
|
|
Z |
| |
|
|
Text Messaging Abbreviations and Smiley Emoticons
|
|
Related Categories:
Webopedia:
Internet and Online Services:
Electronic Commerce
Vangie 'Aurora' Beal -
Writer, www.Webopedia.com
Last updated: June 08, 2007
If you know of an online auction or classifieds
abbreviation that is not included in our list,
let us know.
Online Auction & Classifieds Web sites:
ECommerce-Guide
ECommerce-Guide is the source for e-commerce news, trends, product
reviews, and how-tos for businesses running online or e-commerce sites
and selling and marketing products and services.
The
Capital: Annapolis, MD Classifieds
Standard classified ad abbreviations with proper punctuation for posting
ads. |
