How should AI describe a refurbished item without hiding its actual defects?

Give the draft a unit-specific record

A fictional seller lists a refurbished speaker with a small rear scratch and a replaced charging cable. The source says the unit passed the seller’s stated functional checks. An AI draft changes this to “like new, untouched and complete.” Those are new claims. Supply the unit’s actual condition, included items, repairs and observed defects before asking for polished copy.

Google’s condition field distinguishes catalog conditions for its destination. It is not a universal grading system that defines every seller’s “Grade A.” Keep the seller’s own grade definition available and consistent with the unit record.

The seller’s “refurbished” label in this fictional exercise does not prove eligibility for Google’s refurbished feed value. Google describes professional restoration to working order, an appearance of newness and a warranty. Check the real unit and applicable conditions; a scratched example or missing warranty must not be waved through by copying the seller’s grade. Correct classification and honest defect disclosure are separate checks.

Separate claims with different evidence

Do not let a clean generated scene replace the defect photograph. The image and copy must describe the same physical unit.

Ask for a bounded rewrite

Instruct the text model to improve clarity without deleting defects, upgrading the condition or extending the inspection scope. Require unknown fields to remain unknown. Put the significant condition information near the purchasing decision rather than burying it after unrelated promotional paragraphs.

For the speaker, a useful draft can explain the recorded scratch and included replacement cable without speculating about lifetime, battery performance or factory certification. The example is fictional and provides no actual inspection result.

Shopify cautions that generated descriptions can introduce benefits or facts and require the publisher’s accuracy review. This table is our editorial exercise, not Shopify’s grading system. For the final listing, resolve missing information with the responsible seller rather than keep a placeholder promise.

Compare before publishing

Review the draft beside the unit record and actual photographs. Check the condition shown in the store and applicable feed. If the physical unit changes, do not reuse the same unit-specific text without inspection. CartVisual’s free text planning can help draft the description, but it does not refurbish, inspect or certify the merchandise.

Keep a unit identifier, inspection record, actual condition photos, accessory inventory and approved text together. When the physical unit changes, repeat the review. Use claim-by-claim verification and the actual destination-option check so the creative does not lead to a differently graded item.