Mint Condition

[mrr19121970]

I am fairly sure this is a common one. The use of describing used goods in MINT condition is not really a scientific measurement with a fixed baseline, or is it?

Let's look at the WIKI

Mint condition is an expression used in the description of pre-owned goods. Originally, the phrase related to the way collectors described the condition of coins. As the name given to a coin factory is a "mint", then mint condition is the condition a coin is in when it leaves the mint.^[1]
[h=2]Variations[/h]The term mint condition may be used to describe a variety of collectible items, including action figures, dolls, toys, stamps,^[1] records,^[2] comic books and similar items.^[3] The term may have a slightly different meaning in each case. For instance, when describing trading cards, "perfect" condition is used to describe the condition as it is when pulled from a pack, while "mint" would be new but opened. Similar graduations of mint condition exist for other collectibles based on their specific characteristics. For example, a postage stamp may be mint or mint never hinged.

So a mint condition (used) computer would be one as fresh the day it left the factory? No visible usage markings (scratches, dents, scuffs, ground in dirt, PVC cable burns, yellowing, fading or teeth marks etc).

My recent experience is that I bought a computer stated as "The unit is in MINT condition in its original box. Works nicely. Perfect collectors item." The pictures provided manage to exclude some of the above mentioned visible defects. Additionally the item didn't work either.

Initially the seller claimed not to have stated the condition as MINT, however when reconsidering his own words decided that as a non native English speaker then MINT only means used but a good condition considering the age.

Let's ask auntie Google about this. See the 1st and 2nd hits:



I'd also like to hear your horror stories on the misuse/overuse of MINT condition.

 

[Pondis]

I collect Xbox games and I will often buy games described as mint condition that dont come with a manual. That really winds me up.

 

[veper]

Mint condition is obviously considered as "like new".

All items I've purchased in the past and were described as "mint" were in a like new state or very close to that (ie. maybe only with a minor smudge or two that could be easily cleaned), but definitely without any physical damage or discoloration.

 

[Amon_RA]

Non Native English speaking excuses are honestly just *******

In French, Dutch, German, etc... Mint means exactly the same as in English.

If you sell an item using English terms there is just no excuse. It is your responsibility as a seller to use the correct terminology.

 

[Bryce]

Non Native English speaking excuses are honestly just *******

In French, Dutch, German, etc... Mint means exactly the same as in English.

If you sell an item using English terms there is just no excuse. It is your responsibility as a seller to use the correct terminology.

Eh... No. In German you would say "wie neu" or "neuwertig" (both mean like new).
In French you'd say "à l'état neuf" (in new condition).
Neither language uses the word mint and describing something as mint condition doesn't exist.

Bryce.

 

[Pondis]

Non Native English speaking excuses are honestly just bullshit.

In French, Dutch, German, etc... Mint means exactly the same as in English.

If you sell an item using English terms there is just no excuse. It is your responsibility as a seller to use the correct terminology.

Eh... No. In German you would say "wie neu" or "neuwertig" (both mean like new).
In French you'd say "à l'état neuf" (in new condition).
Neither language uses the word mint and describing something as mint condition doesn't exist.

Bryce.

I did not know this at all! Yay for made up English terms!

 

[Retro-Protect]

'MINT CONDITION' is basically 'BRAND NEW'. So if you have something that has never seen the light of day, then i guess it would be MINT. If you've used it and kept it nice then it's 'LIKE NEW'. Slight wear, Slight discolouration, slight anything is not MINT I'm afraid.

 

[Sardine]

^^ agree with this.

Its a well known term often incorrectly used.

 

[timmie]

I also had to recalibrate (i.e. devaluate) my understanding of mint when I came here on this forum. Before that I was used to the term Mint for audio CDs/LPs etc. And mint there means, still in original unopened foil. But I guess we created the NOS label for that. So maybe we should creat a drop down box for every for sale thread:
1. brand new
2. NOS
3. Mint
4. used but good condition
5. ....
nah, just joking (about the dropdown list)

 

[tokyoracer]

Like lost of things in the English (and probably other) language, it's original meaning loses it's effect in time as it become more generalised and commonly used. This is pretty common, hell technically the term "Soccer" to refer to a ball game using your feet predates "Football". It's normal for this kinda thing to happen, I don't see why people would get uptight about it.

 

[Amon_RA]

Eh... No. In German you would say "wie neu" or "neuwertig" (both mean like new).
In French you'd say "à l'état neuf" (in new condition).
Neither language uses the word mint and describing something as mint condition doesn't exist.

Bryce.

Ah come on...


In Dutch we use the word "Munt" which litteraly means :
* ongeschonden : intact, whole, uninjured, integral, sound, mint,
* volmaakt : perfect, complete, finished, absolute, consummate, mint


In German we have the word "Minze" which acually refers to the real mint plant.
Minty fresh, clean, like in toothpaste...

Let's not pretend that we are retarded, even if you speak German and someone uses the word Mint you will def know the meaning.

- - - Updated - - -

I don't see why people would get uptight about it.

This is an AmiRant post because someone received a C64 in a pretty shitty condition while it was advertised as being MINT...

 

[McTrinsic]

In German we have the word "Minze" which acually refers to the real mint plant.
Minty fresh, clean, like in toothpaste...

Let's not pretend that we are retarded, even if you speak German and someone uses the word Mint you will def know the meaning.

My impression is that Bryce described it pretty well. Talking about peppermint (spearmint?) when describing the status of a used item would be a bit odd in German.

_Maybe_ it gets through but sure isn't guaranteed. First time I heard about 'mint' I was like, 'wtf? Mint?'

That was in the early days of the Internet and it took me a while to understand what the other one was about.

Cheers,
McT

 

[Sardine]

The issue here is not what you think "MINT" means but if a "SELLER" uses the word "MINT" then the SELLER is fully aware of its meaning.

its only a buyer who might get confused if they have never heard of the term "MINT" before.

but no excuse if the SELLER uses the term especially if a good understanding of English is also present.

 

[Amon_RA]

^^ exactly...

You don't use the term "MINT condition" (in capitals) in the title of a sale thread without knowing what it means...

 

[tokyoracer]

I do agree "Mint" must mean something pretty much around the "Excellent" condition mark. Nobody who knows what the term means would suggest something that is average or below as "mint". Seller was clearly in the wrong.

 

[mattsoft]

I think it comes down to where people land on the spectrum of DEAD <-> NEW. Mint, good, working, excellent, etc...all fall somewhere in that spectrum and not everyone is on the same page as the exact definition of each term. If a seller says "mint", I would expect it to be like new or as close to new as possible. But I too have purchased mint, or "like new" and received junk. You can mitigate this somewhat by asking a million questions about the exact nature of the item: does every component work? are there any cosmetic defects (scratches, dents, marks, cracks, etc...)? And pictures. Lots of high-resolution, well-lit pictures -- aka, "proof of life". Even still, people get screwed.

 

[-Acid-]

When people say "mint" to me, I usually sarcastically say/think it must have holes in it then just like a Polo mint as I think it's a stupid word to describe something... but i'm just silly like that

 

[Retro_Lover]

I agree with mattsoft about spectrums, and where a buyer might sit.

Also, is NOS not also Mint ? And if so, what about NOS that may have yellowed inside the box but you can't see because if you open the box it's no longer NOS.

What about boxed ? Is a pristine Amiga still mint if it's not boxed ? If it needs to be boxed then does the box itself need to be mint ? Or can it have age-related wear ?

What about manufactured defects on a pristine Amiga ? Is that Amiga mint because of a defect on the plastic during manufacture ?

Not trying to be funny or anything, I find the topic quite interesting.

I myself, as a buyer, wouldn't moan if I bought a white Amiga that is clean, no rust on internal metal casing, and unboxed. If that was described mint then I personally wouldn't have a problem with that as long as there wasn't any yellowing.
I think after ebay's new policy of having to describe the item's condition that a lot of sellers either have no clue as to describing their item, or knowingly lie. The word "Perfect" crops up a lot and this is open to interpretation especially when you can see pics of often filthy scruffy items that are described as perfect. Also, "Acceptable" is probably just as annoying as "Perfect", or "Mint". Because it might be acceptable to the seller, but not the buyer. I have got a few Atari 2600 carts that have been described as acceptable, even looked it in the pics, yet when they arrive I would describe them as "Christ, was this stored in a cow shed". They work, but god knows how.

 

[Retro-Protect]

I have an Amstrad GX4000 that was brand new, never opened. I opened it up, used it once, put it back in the box. Even though it is still in pristine condition, It is 'As new' because I have opened it up and used it. I doubt there is much Retro stuff out there which is worthy of a 'Mint' condition tag.

 

[Retro_Lover]

But Mint is not better than brand new, or even new. I mean, how could it be ?
I would change , myself anyway, you tag

"I doubt there is much Retro stuff out there which is worthy of a 'Mint' condition tag."

to

I doubt there is much Retro stuff out there which is worthy of a 'Brand New' condition tag. But thats just me.