What does "mint" mean to you?
The word "mint" is probably one of the most abused words in the history of eBay and online trades. Whether intentionally misleading or just a differing opinion from one collector to the next, "mint" does vary greatly since the history of its usage. I'm curious to know how people generally define "mint" and what would qualify as "near mint"? And does "near mint" mean the same thing as "like new" to you?
Also, on a scale out of 10, what gets a "mint" score, and what's a "near mint" score?
Also, on a scale out of 10, what gets a "mint" score, and what's a "near mint" score?
Comments
The word is abused and used wrong way too much. Especially in video games.
I would prefer if the word just weren't used at all - it seems to set sellers up for returns/claims, and sets buyers up for diappointment. You won't find many experienced sellers throwing the word around, they know better. That's why I prefer the ol' "acceptable - see pics". That seems like the best way to get a true idea of what to expect of a game's condition without priming yourself for disappointment.
I actually expect some tiny wear on mint, stuff you'd have to examine very closely to see. I equate Gem Mint to flawless, not mint. Also, if you expect mint to equal flawless, you will be disappointed almost every single time. Id rather expect tiny wear and be satisfied then expect flawless and be disappointed over and over.
Thats just a function of experience, and knowing how other people operate. To me mint means perfect, and that's why I'm pretty sure I've never used the term with anything I've sold. You are right though, you are better off expecting some flaws knowing how the majority of people seem to use the term.
Sealed can't be compared to any unsealed item that is 1-10 because it is in a different tier/scale.
Like Jone said, if you buy something that is "Mint" and expect absolutely 0 flaws whatsoever you will be disappointed or had false expecatations.
I actually expect some tiny wear on mint, stuff you'd have to examine very closely to see. I equate Gem Mint to flawless, not mint. Also, if you expect mint to equal flawless, you will be disappointed almost every single time. Id rather expect tiny wear and be satisfied then expect flawless and be disappointed over and over.
Thats just a function of experience, and knowing how other people operate. To me mint means perfect, and that's why I'm pretty sure I've never used the term with anything I've sold. You are right though, you are better off expecting some flaws knowing how the majority of people seem to use the term.
I go by collector Mint. Take cards for example, Gem Mint is PSA 10, Mint is PSA 9. On VGA Gem Mint is 100 and Mint is 95+ and 95. What some people are describing as Mint is what I would consider Gem Mint. Mint is not necessarily the top of the scale, but a lot of people do seem to put it there.
I actually expect some tiny wear on mint, stuff you'd have to examine very closely to see. I equate Gem Mint to flawless, not mint. Also, if you expect mint to equal flawless, you will be disappointed almost every single time. Id rather expect tiny wear and be satisfied then expect flawless and be disappointed over and over.
Thats just a function of experience, and knowing how other people operate. To me mint means perfect, and that's why I'm pretty sure I've never used the term with anything I've sold. You are right though, you are better off expecting some flaws knowing how the majority of people seem to use the term.
I go by collector Mint. Take cards for example, Gem Mint is PSA 10, Mint is PSA 9. On VGA Gem Mint is 100 and Mint is 95+ and 95. What some people are describing as Mint is what I would consider Gem Mint. Mint is not necessarily the top of the scale, but a lot of people do seem to put it there.
Don't let that word get out! Next thing you know every listing will say Gem Mint and there will have to be another tier made up.
I actually expect some tiny wear on mint, stuff you'd have to examine very closely to see. I equate Gem Mint to flawless, not mint. Also, if you expect mint to equal flawless, you will be disappointed almost every single time. Id rather expect tiny wear and be satisfied then expect flawless and be disappointed over and over.
Thats just a function of experience, and knowing how other people operate. To me mint means perfect, and that's why I'm pretty sure I've never used the term with anything I've sold. You are right though, you are better off expecting some flaws knowing how the majority of people seem to use the term.
I go by collector Mint. Take cards for example, Gem Mint is PSA 10, Mint is PSA 9. On VGA Gem Mint is 100 and Mint is 95+ and 95. What some people are describing as Mint is what I would consider Gem Mint. Mint is not necessarily the top of the scale, but a lot of people do seem to put it there.
I am on the same page as you, I have dealt with grading systems plenty of times with vinyl records, cards etc.
Mint is "not" a 10 at "all".
I use to know all the little tiny incrementations and what not but they have eluded me now.
But in all seriousness, as a coin collector, mint definitely has some flaws, but they aren't noticeable without very careful checking. Gem mint is perfection. Mint is close.
Near mint- Has only very MINOR wear. I.E- Light scuffs but NO creases/corner dings-edge wear, barely any scratches on the disc etc. If its been resurfaced then its not even near mint anymore... Near mint would be 8.5-9.5/10
I very rarely use the terms mint or near mint because it is something that is subject to interpretations and everyone has a differing view of what it actually is.
Never use the term "near mint" as like new-only mint condition would qualify as like new otherwise its just either good to very good condition. Hope this helps somewhat as I feel a lot of people would agree with this.
Pics or it didn't happen. Literally. The word mint is meaningless when it comes to collecting. Show me, don't tell me. When someone pops out the word "mint" when selling a collectable, I immediately imagine the stereotypical used car salesman: you know you're being sold a lemon. I think if an item isn't valuable enough to expend the extra effort to thoroughly document in photographs, then it's not valuable enough to consider tossing the word "mint" into the equation.
yeah this. I just read past words like "mint" and "rare" like they aren't there. What am I buying, show me pics, and how much. I don't care about anything else
I will change my number though to 9-9.5/10 since mint means one tiny flaw.
With game labels, do y'all consider it mint if the ONLY defects are light scratches only visible when turned to the light? Or on n64, the scratches seem to indent a bit, but again, only when observed under light. I personally wouldn't, and have made notes of which labels have scratches on my spreadsheet, but this seems to be a very common representation of "mint".
Definitely not mint in my eyes. Scratches on the label are flaws which deduct points for me and i would think anyone else too.
The terms I tend to use are "crisp" for boxes/manuals/inserts and "blemishes" or "imperfections" to describe labels.
Pics or it didn't happen. Literally. The word mint is meaningless when it comes to collecting. Show me, don't tell me. When someone pops out the word "mint" when selling a collectable, I immediately imagine the stereotypical used car salesman: you know you're being sold a lemon. I think if an item isn't valuable enough to expend the extra effort to thoroughly document in photographs, then it's not valuable enough to consider tossing the word "mint" into the equation.
Correct, words are meaningless when someone uses the word "mint". But this doesn't really answer how you define mint.
I think not only are there different perceptions of "mint", but the definitions also differ too. For example:
- mint = perfect
- mint = brand new, straight from the factory
- mint = brand new, with expected wear due to shelf-wear
- mint = used, but still perfect with 1 minor flaw
- mint = "I am supersmart by describing mint, so I can fool others to pay me more muahahamuahaha (evil laugh)"
As for me, I would define mint as no obvious flaw from a quick all round glance, and from about half a metre away. This is basically the view you'd get if you put them on display.
The words flawless and Gem mint are usually reserved for the hardcore of hardcore collectors. Impossible to tell a Gem mint just through pics alone, which is sort of where services like VGA come in handy. But if you're not into VGA, I think mint is good enough to describe the highest tier of condition.
Pics or it didn't happen. Literally. The word mint is meaningless when it comes to collecting. Show me, don't tell me. When someone pops out the word "mint" when selling a collectable, I immediately imagine the stereotypical used car salesman: you know you're being sold a lemon. I think if an item isn't valuable enough to expend the extra effort to thoroughly document in photographs, then it's not valuable enough to consider tossing the word "mint" into the equation.
Correct, words are meaningless when someone uses the word "mint". But this doesn't really answer how you define mint.
I think not only are there different perceptions of "mint", but the definitions also differ too. For example:
- mint = perfect
- mint = brand new, straight from the factory
- mint = brand new, with expected wear due to shelf-wear
- mint = used, but still perfect with 1 minor flaw
- mint = "I am supersmart by describing mint, so I can fool others to pay me more muahahamuahaha (evil laugh)"
As for me, I would define mint as no obvious flaw from a quick all round glance, and from about half a metre away. This is basically the view you'd get if you put them on display.
The words flawless and Gem mint are usually reserved for the hardcore of hardcore collectors. Impossible to tell a Gem mint just through pics alone, which is sort of where services like VGA come in handy. But if you're not into VGA, I think mint is good enough to describe the highest tier of condition.
Actually, that *is* my definition. What the word "mint" means to me = nothing. I want to be able to evaluate and item with my own eyes.
Why even use a word that has no standardized definition as a qualifier to try and normalize a value price point? The only reason I can think of is to add marketability to a product like a buzzword (i.e. used car saleseman stereotype). It's like those infomertials with the counters ticking down until the "deal ends" -- they have no meaning and their only purpose is convey a false sense of urgency. Much the same way that the word "mint" is used to convey a completely subjective interpretation of quality. Now... in other collectable fields ther are established grading scales (i.e. the 70-point Sheldon Scale for coins), and those scales are maticulously defined and provide a normalized point of reference for price point value. When someone describes a coin as being "VG-9" collectors have a clear understanding of what that means.