What is "Mint" these days???

DMJ · Apr 2, 2021

Don't buy from thrift stores.
Don't buy from sellers with less than 99.8% ratings.
Don't buy if the say "as is - not tested" (buy from sellers who actually know what they are selling)
Communicate with the seller (you will get a lot of information just seeing how the reply, or if they reply at all)
Save the seller and give good feedback if you had a good experience.

I've never seen the term "minty".

You can always return the item even if the seller does not accept returns. eBay will always side on the buyer but you will have to pay for the shipping.

Sirius Glass · Apr 2, 2021

Minty except for the scratch across the front of the lens. The camera works, but I do not know anything about cameras.

Kodachromeguy · Apr 2, 2021

logan2z said:
All too common on eBay these days. I skip over any listing with such a description.

But remember, "Condition is Used" at present means the item is in functional condition. Therefore, if it is broken, filled with fungus, whatever, the seller must take it back or at least refund the selling price. I think many US sellers do not understand the ramifications of their adding this cliche in their listings. I have even seen "Condition is Used" and "As is, No returns" in the same listing. No, they will take it back if the item is defective.

4season · Apr 2, 2021

Unless you're dealing with someone who has experience in grading such things, buying "mint" used camera equipment sight-unseen has always been kind of iffy, maybe because the seller actually can't see the flaws or cannot distinguish trash from treasure. And I assume that some of the stuff is being dredged up from hoarder or kodokushi homes.

runswithsizzers · Apr 2, 2021

Kodachromeguy said:
But remember, "Condition is Used" at present means the item is in functional condition. Therefore, if it is broken, filled with fungus, whatever, the seller must take it back or at least refund the selling price. I think many US sellers do not understand the ramifications of their adding this cliche in their listings. I have even seen "Condition is Used" and "As is, No returns" in the same listing. No, they will take it back if the item is defective.

You make a good point. The last two items I was interested in buying on eBay were listed as "used" - and by eBay's definition, that means functional. After asking for clarification from the sellers, neither item was functional. In both cases, the sellers said they made a 'mistake', and promised to edit their listing to show "as is" condition.

nickandre · Apr 2, 2021

Apparently everything from Japan is varying grades of mint. You've got [MINT+], [MINT++++] and [MINT+++-] (don't forget [MINT+++] ps also broken).

I ordered a Hasselblad 50mm FE 2.8 that was some combination thereof and still had some amount of non-trivial dust in the center. Cosmetically though it was great and I'm told center dust doesn't affect sharpness to the extent that a surface scratch would. Still seems to take great pics

logan2z · Apr 2, 2021

Kodachromeguy said:
But remember, "Condition is Used" at present means the item is in functional condition. Therefore, if it is broken, filled with fungus, whatever, the seller must take it back or at least refund the selling price.

True, but it implies to me that the seller is not being completely forthright with the actual condition of the item - or is too lazy to describe it fully. Either way, it's a turn off.

StanMac · Apr 2, 2021

ChristopherCoy said:
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.

Yeah, what’s up with that?! Seems if an item was ever in their inventory they just keep that record in their data so a prospective searcher will get some results from their search.

Stan.

Vonder · Apr 3, 2021

Don Heisz said:
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.

The camera was also wonky and eventually locked up, refusing to take a picture at all. But, even so, the photos did NOT reflect this. I suspect this camera was used/sold before, and returned, with the new scratch, and they relisted it with the old photos. Not a worry. I kept the lenses and bought another camera - hopefully one that works, and it truly in as good condition as was claimed by the seller.

tballphoto · Apr 3, 2021

however, we need to remember the old adage of "if it seems TOO good to be true..."

in the world of ebay razors, non electirc antiques, the word MINT means two things "menthol shaving cream is encrusted upon it" or "the razor blade is nice and rusty

Down Under · Apr 3, 2021

Better 'mint' than 'minty'. I am an English major (Bachelor of Education, 1972) and those two terms annoy the poo out of me, almost.

When I look at a listing and read "I don't know anything about this camera" it makes me wonder what the penalty for homicide is in this state.

Someone should compile a list of Ebay Urban Myths. An idea for our own Christopher Coy.

Sirius Glass · Apr 3, 2021

ozmoose said:
Someone should compile a list of Ebay Urban Myths. An idea for our own Christopher Coy.

Chris is looking for a new identity and that could help him do it.

ChristopherCoy · Apr 4, 2021

This one is my favorite...

"Untested. Everything seems to be working fine. Sold as is."

So which is it? Is it untested, or is it tested and everything is working fine?

Alex Benjamin · Apr 4, 2021

DMJ said:
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.

Same here. To which I will add that I prefer dealing with sellers with a few years experience rather than one of the many that have popped up in the last two years. The stuff I bought from Japan - yes, including one "Mint" item - has had accurate description. I've had more problems with American sellers recently.

And "mint" doesn't mean problem free. I take it for granted that a barely used "Mint" camera that's was bought in the 60s or 70s and has been sitting in a box ever since will need a CLA.

mgb74 · Apr 4, 2021

Kodachromeguy said:
But remember, "Condition is Used" at present means the item is in functional condition. Therefore, if it is broken, filled with fungus, whatever, the seller must take it back or at least refund the selling price. I think many US sellers do not understand the ramifications of their adding this cliche in their listings. I have even seen "Condition is Used" and "As is, No returns" in the same listing. No, they will take it back if the item is defective.

I don't think saying "condition is used" in the description has that meaning. However, specifying the condition category as "used" does have that meaning. Saying "as is" when category is "used" might make it difficult to return if you don't like the looks but the description is accurate. I agree that many US sellers do not understand the ramifications of listing an item as "used".

I have a few free parts cameras where the seller listed as used but they didn't work. I got a full refund but the seller did not want them back.

lecarp · Apr 4, 2021

It means you'd have better luck buying a mail order Unicorn.

unwantedfocus · Apr 4, 2021

【Exc+++++】Canon 50mm f/1.2
Appearance : MINT

Very beautiful condition.
There is heavy fog.
There is fungus.
There are scratches.
There is separation.
There is dust .
*Please check photos.

MattKing · Apr 4, 2021

I'm just trying to figure out whether "Mint" is a question of Philosophy or a question of "Ethics".

unwantedfocus · Apr 4, 2021

MattKing said:
I'm just trying to figure out whether "Mint" is a question of Philosophy or a question of "Ethics".

Mint describes the Item. You should always be truthful in your description and if not sure, grade it lower. I'm not aware if there is any industry standard in terms of grading cameras. As an example here is a website called Discogs they have a standard on how to grade your Vinyl/Cassettes/Cd's. Sellers sometimes grade their items better than they are but most of the reputable sellers do a very good job in describing the item.

Back to cameras. Japanese Ebay sellers these days are a joke everything is mint for them. If you are okay with being unethical and lie about the cameras appearance, mechanical or overall condition you are just a shit person and people should call you out period!!

lecarp · Apr 4, 2021

Maybe they posted the auction on a computer running Linux Mint.

BrianShaw · Apr 5, 2021

ChristopherCoy · Apr 5, 2021

BrianShaw said:
are

nice.

BradS · Apr 5, 2021

were.

Kino · Apr 5, 2021

The only Mint I believe anymore is B.S. Kumar's listings in the Classifieds of this site...

logan2z · Apr 5, 2021

Kino said:
The only Mint I believe anymore is B.S. Kumar's listings in the Classifieds of this site...

I don't trust anyone whose first initials are B.S.

(Kidding, I know he's got a great reputation as a seller here)

What is "Mint" these days???

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency