Vintage CapitalVintage clothing grades explained: A, B, C, AB and ABC
Wholesale vintage is sold by grade. Here is what each grade means on our sorting floor, what you get in an AB or ABC bundle, and how resellers usually choose.
Grade A: ready to sell
Clean pieces with no visible flaws. They go straight onto a rail or an app listing without any work. Grade A is the most expensive grade because it needs no cleaning, repair or explanation to your customer.
Grade B: light wear
Small marks, fading or minor wear that suits vintage. Most vintage buyers expect some character, so B pieces sell well at a slightly lower price. They are priced to sell.
Grade C: needs work
Visible flaws such as stains or small holes. C pieces are for reworkers, upcyclers and sellers who price sharply. They bring the average cost per piece down.
What an AB bundle contains
AB is mostly A with some B, and no C. It suits online sellers on Vinted, Depop or eBay who photograph every piece and want few returns. Leggings, for example, we only pack AB.
What an ABC bundle contains
ABC is a mix of A, B and some C pieces with visible flaws, priced for volume. It suits shops, market traders and kilo sales that sell at a range of price points. Big brands like Nike sell well this way because the brand carries the C pieces.
Why grade-A-only bundles are rare
Every sorting floor produces A, B and C from the same trucks. A factory that sells only A has to find a buyer for all the B and C left behind, so A-only stock costs much more per piece. Most buyers get better value from AB or ABC.
How to check what you are getting
Ask the supplier to film the actual pieces, not a sample. At Vintage Capital we film every order and you pay only after you have seen your stock, so the grade is never a surprise.
Questions
What does AB mean in vintage wholesale?
AB is mostly grade A (ready to sell) with some grade B (light wear) and no grade C.
What does ABC mean in vintage wholesale?
ABC is a mix of grade A, grade B and some grade C pieces with visible flaws, priced for volume.
Can I buy grade A only?
Grade-A-only bundles cost much more because the B and C from the same stock still need a buyer. Most resellers get better value from AB or ABC.