How Kori works
Every item on ShopThing is graded for condition using Kori — a 6-tier scale that translates professional condition assessments into one consistent, readable standard. Once you learn the six tiers, you know exactly what to expect from any listing.
The six tiers
Factory-sealed or store-fresh items with some or all original packaging and no signs of handling or wear. Plastic may have protective stickers.
Items that were tried on or briefly displayed but show no signs of use under studio lighting.
Worn a handful of times or never at all. Indistinguishable from like new at normal viewing distance. Faint mark may be visible up close, sometimes caused strictly from storage.
Small marks visible throughout the exterior and sometimes the interior. Hardware shine slightly reduced and/or contains surface scratching.
Corner wear visible plus other areas of wear on exterior and interior. Hardware scratches may be present. No damage affecting function.
Significant patina or wear of exterior including scratches, dents, peeling and/or scuffing. Possible minor repair needed. May have been previously restored.
How we grade
Our items come from established auction houses that have graded luxury goods professionally for decades. Their specialists inspect every item before it goes to auction, and their reputations depend on getting condition right.
We translate those professional assessments into Kori using mappings we've calibrated through hands-on inspection. Where an assessment was borderline or our own inspection suggested an item presents below its grade, we erred conservatively — we'd rather an item exceed your expectations than fall short.
Kori is a v1 system and parts of it will keep improving as we gather more data. The six tiers themselves won't change — once you understand them, they're yours to keep.
