CIB

[SOL BADGUY]

I dont like this term, I didnt know what it was for a long time, then I found out it stood for Complete In Box.......Isnt it not complete if it doesnt have the box? Thats my problem with it, its redundant.

What do you guys think? Any other collector lingo you dont like? (which I only mean by lingo itself, not people abusing/misusing lingo)

[ProjectCamaro]

I agree, complete has always meant the game, box/case, and manual. Why we have to now state Complete In Box seems stupid to me as well.

[Aussie2B]

"CIB" is useless if only for the fact that it's used for both "complete in box" and "cart/instructions/box". In the latter's case, it's not necessarily complete, like if, for example, the game came with a map but it isn't included.

As for the redundancy of "complete in box", I think the point of it is the distinction that it's not just a box and a game, missing the manual or any other items.

[LimitedEditionMuseum]

its just a description and condition statement. It's not just for videogames, it comes from collectibles like 80s Transformers and GI Joe.

[PapaStu]

"CIB" is useless if only for the fact that it's used for both "complete in box" and "cart/instructions/box". In the latter's case, it's not necessarily complete, like if, for example, the game came with a map but it isn't included.

As for the redundancy of "complete in box", I think the point of it is the distinction that it's not just a box and a game, missing the manual or any other items.

And we've got a winner all around!

[recorderdude]

If standard terms don't differentiate games with just the box, cartridge and manual and those that are TRULY complete as originally packaged, why not just adopt two terms? CMB (Cart, Manual, Box) and CIB (Complete In Box).

Then again, lots of games ARE complete with just cart, manual and box, so perhaps the universally confusing CIB term would be...less confusing?

[SOL BADGUY]

If you have everything that you got when you took the shrink wrap off and you list it on Ebay you should just say "complete", if its missing something or wasnt originally packaged with something then you should say it. Thats why they dont limit you in the description section on Ebay.

[Tron 2.0]

Never had a problem with the term so it doesn't matter to me in the least bit.

[Rickstilwell1]

I think the reason CIB is a commonly used term for cart, instructions and box is because those are the three components that you know every game has to come with. It is really hard to find out sometimes which games came with which posters, which maps, which magazine subscription ads, which registration cards and other such extras that not everybody even tries to collect.

If there were some kind of master database where people who bought games sealed and opened them to display all factory new contents with every game and showed the pictures it would be doable. Otherwise it is hard to even tell which editions of which games came with which extras. For example, the Player's Choice version of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past did not come with the map that the original release had. I know this because I got the Player's Choice version new for my 10th birthday.

[SOL BADGUY]

If there were some kind of master database where people who bought games sealed and opened them to display all factory new contents with every game and showed the pictures it would be doable. Otherwise it is hard to even tell which editions of which games came with which extras. For example, the Player's Choice version of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past did not come with the map that the original release had. I know this because I got the Player's Choice version new for my 10th birthday.

Well, people can still lie about what they mean by CIB or complete, its up to the buyer to make sure that what the person is selling them is what theyre paying for. So CIB is just a redundant term that is useless if people dont actually know what something is when its listed as complete. People can shop around online and look at different postings of the same item and know what was in the box.

[Dr. BaconStein]

It never really bothered me unlike stupid stuff like "RARE!!!" and "L@@K!"

[SpaceFlea]

It shouldn't be used with games in general. As has been stated, it is redundant since the games typically can't be considered complete without the box. But the term makes perfect sense when discussing other electronics or things like action figures. They can be complete with all their components, but not in the box, or they can be "complete in box."

I'm more annoyed by people who use it as cart/instructions/box. It's like nails on a chalkboard. I can't stand it.

[frogofdeath]

Term doesn't bother me. I always read the description, look at the pictures for more clarity if I am that concerned.

It shouldn't be used with games in general. As has been stated, it is redundant since the games typically can't be considered complete without the box. But the term makes perfect sense when discussing other electronics or things like action figures. They can be complete with all their components, but not in the box, or they can be "complete in box."
I don't mean to split hairs, but why does a game need the box to be complete, but not other electronics or action figures? The vast majority of games are "complete" as long as they play in their required console.

[SOL BADGUY]

Term doesn't bother me. I always read the description, look at the pictures for more clarity if I am that concerned.

I don't mean to split hairs, but why does a game need the box to be complete, but not other electronics or action figures? The vast majority of games are "complete" as long as they play in their required console.
Because when games were sold they came in the box, and the box was a great place to store them in most of the time so they wouldnt get damaged. People have toy chests to put action figures in, and action figures are meant to be thrown all over the room and still be playable. Games came in boxes and they had cool art work on them, plus the instructions were also in there and most games you REALLY needed that booklet to know how to play and what was going on in the beginning. Youre comparing computer software to things you can leave in the mud over night.

Also the game boxes let you know of the story going on with a game, like with movie covers, action figures you get and can make them be characters in any story you want.

[tom]

I even keep my boxes for all other electronics and the instructions for it too. It's nice when selling, the customer knows that you take care of your stuff

[tom]

For me a video game is like a vinyl record or CD, you don't throw away those boxes either

[Polygon]

It never really bothered me unlike stupid stuff like "RARE!!!" and "L@@K!"

Exactly. I've not seen an abuse of the terms complete or CIB. But it get's old seeing people calling a game on eBay rare when there are five pages of auctions for the same game.

[BlastProcessing402]

CIB, Complete In Box, is a backformation from MIB, Mint In Box, used for vintage toys. There's also MISB, with the S being sealed, though I don't recall ever seeing CISB, they just tend to say sealed in that case.

[SOL BADGUY]

Exactly. I've not seen an abuse of the terms complete or CIB. But it get's old seeing people calling a game on eBay rare when there are five pages of auctions for the same game.

Ive seen it used on forums, like this one, and I watching a lot of Game Chasers, and they kept saying it. Apparently theyre also toy collectors so I guess they cant shake the habit.


CIB, Complete In Box, is a backformation from MIB, Mint In Box, used for vintage toys. There's also MISB, with the S being sealed, though I don't recall ever seeing CISB, they just tend to say sealed in that case.

Id hope its complete in there if the things been sealed this whole time.

[Griking]

I agree, complete has always meant the game, box/case, and manual. Why we have to now state Complete In Box seems stupid to me as well.

But is a game complete if it doesn't contain the product ads or registration cards that may have come with it?

[Ed Oscuro]

I actually find the acronym useful because it's an indication something might be worth looking at more closely. You can't ask for more from an acronym. No acronym, and not even any written description, is going to replace having pictures of the item and a knowledge of what originally shipped with an item. If you don't know that Mad Stalker: Full Metal Force originally shipped with a mail-in warranty card and probably also a color software catalog print, you've got nobody to blame for believing that disks, manual, and box = "complete."

But is a game complete if it doesn't contain the product ads or registration cards that may have come with it?
Obviously not, but what do we want from eBay acronyms and selling terms? If somebody calls their game "LIKE NEW MINT," does that mean there should be a fresh mint leaf in the box? Does NIB mean that there are unused fountain pen tips in the box? Yet when you see "NIB" you expect that it is, in fact, new and unused; and if it is not, you just look at the next item.

I suppose eBay could ban such misleading terms, or at least when they are used misleadingly, but a lot of this information is debatable and cannot be proven. On the other hand, seeing the acronyms serves some use in helping start your first sorting of items. Using it for more is a mistake.