What the heck does MINT mean anymore?

[Lonely Driver]

I'm posting this Nikon 24mm f/2.8 lens on ebay and I think it's in mint condition. Would you mind giving me your opinion?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110079461978

 

[harry01562]

I'm posting this Nikon 24mm f/2.8 lens on ebay and I think it's in mint condition. Would you mind giving me your opinion?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110079461978

Looks like an eBay Mint to me.... I think it means Marketing is neat trick.

Seriously, all you can really do is evaluate the pics, description and motivation of the seller as best you can, and then bid conservatively. That will almost guarantee very little results, but, at least, they should be positive ones.

I've been a buyer/seller on eBay since mid-1996, and have been involved in probably close to 2000 transactions. Not a volume type, as I sell mostly collectible items in philately, cameras, books and what has accumulated in the last 50 years, that I take the trouble to list. I've seen many sellers come, deceive and leave, probably to come again as a new identity. It certainly takes caution, but there are good deals to be had, with patience.

Mint is what you and the seller make of it, if you agree, it great.

Harry

 

[colyn]

I'm posting this Nikon 24mm f/2.8 lens on ebay and I think it's in mint condition. Would you mind giving me your opinion?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110079461978

You ought to get a mint for it...

 

[kevin m]

With respect to Leicas, "mint" usually means 'Looks pretty good for a 50-year old camera!' 😀

 

[Ororaro]

Ah! The meaning of words. I'm still scratching my head trying to understand how the word film got changed to "analog" (yuk).

 

[ywenz]

The guy simply put mint in the auction title to attract lookers. You should look at the picture rather than what the title said.

 

[Robert Price]

Definitions of mint:

• [SIZE=-1]
• batch: (often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent; "a batch of letters"; "a deal of trouble"; "a lot of money"; "he made a mint on the stock market"; "it must have cost plenty"
• any north temperate plant of the genus Mentha with aromatic leaves and small mauve flowers
• the leaves of a mint plant used fresh or candied
• a candy that is flavored with a mint oil
• form by stamping, punching, or printing; "strike coins"; "strike a medal"
• a plant where money is coined by authority of the government
• mint(a): as if new; "in mint condition"

The true Mints are perennial herbs in the family Lamiaceae. They are used to flavor food, candy, teas, breath fresheners, antiseptic mouth rinses, and toothpaste. All of them are included in the genus Mentha [/SIZE]

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Lonely Driver]

You ought to get a mint for it...

With that auction I'm really just hoping someone out there has a sense of humor, that and money.

 

[Nick]

I saw that ebay listing as well, and thought he must be smoking something to list it as mint. However, from a buyers perspective, the banged-up exterior may keep the price lower (but time will tell). I'm in the market for a bargain M6

I also took a look on KEH after reading this thread, and it's probably more worthwhile to get one from them (as its quality would've been more professionally assessed) than an individual on ebay.

 

[EmilGil]

Here's another one.

50mm Dual-Range Summicron f2 Nr. 1449942 With close-up attachment and case. Heavy cleaning marks.

Condition Report
Near Mint

Que? And I though Tamarkin of New York was a reputable dealer? How can something be "Near mint" if it has heavy cleaning marks??? Mint as in scrubbed with tooth paste or what?