Condition descriptions are evidence states, not interchangeable promises. Translate what is actually verified—and the condition promised to the eventual buyer—into testing, calibration, repair, accessory, software, labor, and uncertainty reserves.
Separate the evidence states before pricing risk
| Evidence state | What it can support | What remains unresolved |
|---|---|---|
| Visual evidence only | Identity, visible configuration, obvious damage | Power, function, accuracy, hidden faults |
| Powers on | Basic power path and visible response | Key functions, accuracy, intermittent faults |
| Self-test passes | The functions covered by that self-test | Uncovered paths, external interfaces, calibration |
| Partial functional test | Named functions under stated conditions | Untested functions and full specification |
| Full functional verification | Documented operating functions | Calibration status unless measured separately |
| Calibration evidence | Measured performance at a date and stated scope | Current condition outside that scope or after later events |
Seller-reported working or last-known-working history is useful but remains a seller statement tied to its date and scope. Preserve that limit.
Treat powers on as narrow evidence
A display, fan, indicator, or boot sequence can show that parts of the power path respond. It does not establish measurement accuracy, RF performance, detector health, vacuum integrity, motion, software function, or calibration.
Identify exactly what visibly happened and leave unobserved functions unresolved. The untested and as-is guide provides the broader condition framework.
Define the intended resale condition before defining the test
| Target resale state | Required work |
|---|---|
| Untested / as-is | Accurate identity, configuration, visual condition, and disclosure; economics must support an as-is exit |
| Tested working | A category-appropriate plan that verifies the functions driving buyer value |
| Calibrated | Functional verification plus suitable calibration scope, provider, documentation, and handling |
Do not use a tested-working resale comp while budgeting only for an as-is relist.
Build the test plan around the functions that drive value
Electronic test and measurement
- Boot and self-test status, inputs and outputs, major option paths, controls, display, and interfaces.
- Known-source or known-load checks appropriate to the instrument.
- Performance checks that matter to the target buyer, without implying calibration.
Process and calibration instruments
- Source and measure functions, ranges, terminals, battery, charger, and communication.
- Required leads, pressure modules, pumps, or standards.
- Calibration scope and documentation if resale depends on calibrated status.
Analytical and laboratory systems
- Startup, pumps, detectors, sources, heaters, motion, vacuum, fluidics, and alarms as applicable.
- Workstation, software, licenses, controllers, and consumables needed to operate.
- Workflow-level completeness rather than a chassis-only power test.
Automation and vacuum equipment
- Axes, homing, grippers, sensors, safety interlocks, controllers, and software for automation.
- Motor condition, controller, pump-down behavior, noise, leaks, contamination, and service history for vacuum equipment.
Keep calibration separate from functional operation
Functional operation and calibration answer different questions. A unit can function but be out of tolerance; a historical sticker or certificate records a past event and does not prove current condition.
Price calibration as a workflow:
- pre-calibration inspection and functional checks;
- provider capability, scope, turnaround, and shipping;
- adjustment or repair if the unit is out of tolerance;
- documentation and any failed-calibration contingency; and
- time and capital tied up before resale.
Model repair exposure without predicting the exact failure
An untested unit does not require guessing one failure. Build a reserve from plausible financially material faults, their impact, detectability, parts and service availability, diagnostic labor, and the downside exit if repair is not sensible.
- T&M: display, power supply, RF path, attenuator, connectors, switches, and option faults.
- Calibrators: battery, terminals, source/measure paths, modules, and out-of-tolerance performance.
- Analytical systems: pumps, detectors, sources, vacuum, fluidics, motion, software, and controller dependencies.
- Vacuum: motor, bearings, seals, contamination, controller, and achievable vacuum.
- Automation: axes, grippers, sensors, interlocks, controllers, and proprietary software.
Price accessories, software, serviceability, and test infrastructure
Missing leads, probes, fixtures, heads, modules, pumps, controllers, computers, cables, manuals, licenses, or consumables are acquisition burdens when the intended resale state requires them. The configuration guide helps separate confirmed, possible, missing, and unresolved components.
Before assuming repair is viable, examine manuals, diagnostics, parts, third-party service, proprietary tools, firmware, software transferability, and manufacturer support. Parts value is downside context, not automatic protection: time, labor, demand, and unsold inventory still matter.
Test time, standards, fixtures, reference instruments, facilities, technical labor, and opportunity cost are real costs even without an outside invoice.
Use blind and conditional ceilings when verification has value
A blind/as-is ceiling uses only current evidence and conservative reserves. A conditional ceiling can be higher if a named inspection, functional test, configuration confirmation, or calibration document resolves a material risk.
Use REVIEW when one practical verification step can materially improve the economics. Use SKIP when the repair path, serviceability, dependencies, or downside cannot preserve the required return.
Worked example
Consider a hypothetical RF instrument with $4,000 conservative resale, $600 selling friction, $200 logistics, $250 other risk, and $500 required profit.
Key functions verified $4,000 − $600 − $200 − $250 testing reserve − $250 risk − $500 profit = $2,200 maximum total acquisition cost Powers on only $4,000 − $600 − $200 − $900 testing / repair reserve − $250 risk − $500 profit = $1,550 maximum total acquisition cost
The $650 difference is the economic value of stronger condition evidence in this illustration. These figures are not a real appraisal or market-rate estimate.
Condition decision table
| Evidence | Recommended response |
|---|---|
| Functions that drive value are documented and repeatable | Use a tested-working case with an appropriate remaining reserve |
| Powers on only | Keep unverified functions unresolved and increase the reserve or lower resale |
| Calibration certificate is historical | Treat it as past evidence, not current calibrated status |
| One inspection or test can change the ceiling | REVIEW and calculate blind and conditional ceilings |
| Critical software, service, or repair path cannot be bounded | SKIP or use a defensible parts/as-is downside only |
Pre-bid condition checklist
Evidence
- Classify visual, power-on, self-test, partial test, functional, seller-reported, and calibration evidence precisely.
Target state
- Define whether resale is as-is, tested working, or calibrated before building the plan.
Test plan
- Identify functions, accessories, software, standards, and infrastructure needed to support that state.
Repair exposure
- Model material failure modes, serviceability, diagnostic labor, and downside without false precision.
Reserve
- Include testing, calibration, repair, missing dependencies, time, and uncertainty in the economics.
Decision
- Use blind and conditional ceilings; allow unresolved downside to produce REVIEW or SKIP.
Translate the result through the maximum-bid framework and the broader auction diligence sequence.
Common mistakes
- Treating powers-on evidence as functional verification or calibration.
- Defining a generic test instead of testing the functions that drive resale value.
- Using a tested or calibrated resale case without funding the path to that condition.
- Assuming an old calibration sticker proves current performance.
- Ignoring required accessories, software, licenses, standards, and test infrastructure.
- Assuming repair is economical before checking parts, service, proprietary tools, and downside value.
- Bidding the conditional ceiling before the required verification is established.
Evidence in practice