What is "Mint" these days???

[Vonder]

Have people lost the definition of "mint"? My last two eBay purchases, both "mint" turned out to be far, far from what I would call mint. Has something changed?

Case in point - the G1 I am returinng. Came with a huge gouge in the back...

 

[removedacct1]

"Mint" (or "minty" is the BS term someone uses on fleabay to sell their stuff. It means nothing. In fact, if I see someone use that word in their description, I avoid that item because it signals that the seller has a distorted impression of the items value, and its condition.

 

[Kino]

On Fleabay, "Mint" means it was safely stored in an Elephant's anus for an extended period of time...

 

[ChristopherCoy]

On Fleabay, "Mint" means it was safely stored in an Elephant's anus for an extended period of time...

BEST. RESPONSE. EVER!!!!!!

 

[tballphoto]

Sort of like the employees in my local walmarts clothing departments that keep taking the opened packages of undergarments and putting them back on the rack, despite the fact they included the free heavily "racing striped" freeby" from the customer...

 

[BrianShaw]

“Mint” only has real meaning in numismatics.

 

[Sirius Glass]

"mint" on eBay is the encrypted form of "RUN".

 

[DMJ]

I understand 'mint' as used like-new. I never had a problem on Ebay with the description of the items and have bought many cameras from Japan and accessories from China and all items matched the description. I would never buy from an American thrift store though. And I never buy from someone who does not have 100% good reviews.

 

[BradS]

Mint- : Found in the water hazard along the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach country club.

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Mint- : Found in the water hazard along the 18th fairway at Pebble Beach country club.

and we have a 2nd runner up!!!

 

[logan2z]

In my experience it means the mint cologne smell that takes two years to get out of the 'minty' camera you bought on eBay

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Mint should be, "like new".

 

[Sirius Glass]

Mint should be, "like new".

As in "like new" means driven over by a truck.

 

[Vonder]

I understand 'mint' as used like-new. I never had a problem on Ebay with the description of the items and have bought many cameras from Japan and accessories from China and all items matched the description. I would never buy from an American thrift store though. And I never buy from someone who does not have 100% good reviews.

That's what I expect from Japan too - those folks over there seem to know their stuff. But this Japan seller was a disappointment.

 

[Vaughn]

One takes one's chances -- I bought something in 'good' condition that fell apart in my hands. The seller, "They are in good shape for their age."

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Yes, please. Stay away from eBay. Buy from KEH, from craigslist, from Facebook marketplace!

Leave eBay to me.

Um the would require that KEH actually keep items in stock. Have you seen their inventory lately? "out of stock" is pretty much the wallpaper of the week.

 

[guangong]

Minty from Japan because, generally speaking, Japanese are obsessed with handling their equipment with respect and care.

 

[runswithsizzers]

I have seen several cameras on eBay described by the seller as "Mint" - and the photos showed very clean looking gear. However, the item description disclosed serious (hidden) problems that made the camera inoperable.

But whether the photos and descriptions accurrately show the camera's true condition depends mostly on the quality of the seller. Which is why it is important to buy only from sellers with a high number of ratings averaging close to 100%. I would hesitate to buy from anyone on eBay with a rating lower than 99.8%, hopefully based on at least a few dozen transactions.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

Have people lost the definition of "mint"? My last two eBay purchases, both "mint" turned out to be far, far from what I would call mint. Has something changed?

Case in point - the G1 I am returinng. Came with a huge gouge in the back...

I guess it is variable parameter since more cultures came as sellers on eBay.
Listings from Japan used to be as accurate as listing from USA, but now they say non-Japaneese are selling from Japan on eBay as well.
Russian mega sellers on eBay were known to be cowards prior to Japaneese listings debacle. I have purchased Zorki twice as in exelent condition with crunchy curtains and guncked grease.

 

[Don_ih]

That's a pretty small scratch and doesn't impact use of the camera. Why would that make you return it?

Nevertheless, I agree the "mint" expression is almost always meaningless.

 

[BradS]

At the other end of the scale but still completely meaningless, we have...."Condition is Used".

 

[Auer]

Mint:


Not Mint:

 

[ChristopherCoy]

Not Mint:
View attachment 271259

"shutter speeds appear accurate" "RARE!!!!"

 

[Agulliver]

"Mint" has a meaning. It is very well understood that "mint" refers to as new condition, an item as if it had just been minted. For a camera this would mean no signs of use, with the box, instructions and any accessories originally packaged with it still present. Perhaps it *has* never been used, but certainly no signs of use.

"Minty" is a BS term invented by ebay sellers to describe something which isn't in as new condition, but the seller wants to make it seem more special than it is. There is an accepted term "near mint" which would be understood to mean that the item's been used enough that it is distinguishable from a brand new item...but there is no damage.

That G1 with the gouge, is not "mint" under any reasonable understanding of the word. "Excellent condition apart from one scratch - see photos" would be appropriate.

There's not really any wriggle room. The word has a clear meaning and etymology to back up that meaning. Words do often change and evolve but in this case there's no wriggle room. "Mint" is really a binary term, there are no degrees of mint-ness. It is, or isn't.

 

[logan2z]

At the other end of the scale but still completely meaningless, we have...."Condition is Used".

All too common on eBay these days. I skip over any listing with such a description.