So, what other description would he use? Although it has been partially installed, it has not been used. Even if it had been fully installed, it would not have been used. It would be fraudulent to describe it as NOS without the disclaimer, since the part might have marks or finish damage by improper installation techniques and potential bidders should know this ahead of time. However, many (most?) of us look for keywords in auction titles to determine whether or not to read into the auction description. Without the NOS in the title, the headset might languish unrecognized for what it is.
Look at it this way, if this headset was in the inventory of a framebuilder and someone ordered a frame with Campy NR headset installed, I would fully expect the framebuilder to install this one without even mentioning to the purchaser that the cups had been inserted into another frame. There is really no reason to. This happens all the time in the most reputable shops. New means that it isn't used, not that it's untouched by human hands.
Steve Barner, Bolton, Vermont
> From: Nick Zatezalo <nickzz@mindspring.com>
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR]eBay...and another thing!
> Message-ID:
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> Reply-To: Nick Zatezalo <nickzz@mindspring.com>
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>
> When is an item NOS? [ New Old Stock ]
>
> Check the following auction for one interpretation.
>
> At least he spells out HIS meaning by description.
>
>
http://ebay.com/
>
> Nick Zatezalo
> Atlanta,Ga