Post #314600 by woofmutt on Sun, Jun 24, 2007 9:16 AM

"Buyer beware" is really the only phrase that matters on eBay.

The term "antique" has technically been misused by "antique" stores for years, but I'd guess very few people enter such a store and are shocked (Shocked!) to find few items over 100 years old.

"Vintage" may have a technical or trade definition but all that matters is how the guys and gals on the street use it. In the case of eBay sellers the rule for use of descriptive words seems to be "Throw it and see if it sticks." Unless the seller is actually claiming an item is a certain number of years old the term "vintage" is more or less meaningless. (A favorite rant from past Tiki Central threads was the description "Eames" being used generically.)

Of course one could write sellers and tell them they're misusing a phrase, but I think they'll just laugh at you all the way to their PayPal accounts.

Still, if you're intent on setting their records straight here's a blast from the past on sellers hocking "Tiki" items.