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Mint? I Don't Think So....

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Bull

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I spent a few seconds looking at each pic and do not see any dirt. Microscope?
 
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nissan_crawler

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Merkava_4 said:
I mean why declare it mint when it has dirt in the grooves? :wtf:
Click to expand...

Because that has nothing to do with mint shape, IMHO. Dirt comes off. That's like saying a '57 corvette with 20 miles on it, no dents, factory paint with no swirls, and perfect interior isn't "mint" because it's dusty.
 
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Merkava_4

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nissan_crawler said:
Because that has nothing to do with mint shape, IMHO. Dirt comes off. That's like saying a '57 corvette with 20 miles on it, no dents, factory paint with no swirls, and perfect interior isn't "mint" because it's dusty.
Click to expand...

You and I both know the dang thing is not mint and the seller is being dishonest.
 
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joenero

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because 30 minutes of actually using a tool like your supposed to use them will make it look worse then that anyway? I wouldn't give using the word "mint" a second thought if it functioned correctly and the chrome was in great shape. I think that the price is bordering the fair/high side, but I would buy it if I needed one.
 
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M Fan

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I normally rate my things that I sell fairly conservatively, but I would have to say that looks pretty close to mint to me! When I think of "mint", I look for an item that has had very kind use and well cared for. That ratchet fits the bill according to the pictures. I keyed in on the square socket mount and noticed that it looked like it's been hardly used.
 
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Merkava_4

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MINT
9491_1.JPG
 
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Fedwrench

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:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:
Forgive us for having such low standards as to confuse mint with new and unused. One man's mint is obivously another man's wornout. It matters not to most of us because, we will actually use the ratchet instead of only polishing and admiring it.:wtf:
 
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The Muffin Man

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The black oxide finish on the 1/2in head looks pretty used to me. Even when the light is reflecting off the ratchet, you can see there is a difference from the rest of the head. I'd doubt its even lightly used... more like the seller took care of the ratchet rather than it being "Mint."
 
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Chris Adams

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After years of looking at things sold through adds, auctions and word of mouth I have come to the conclusion that Mint means battered in most cases.

Mind you, that looks like a nice ratchet, but in nice, possibly even excellent condition.
But it ain't anywhere near mint, but closer than most the junk I see with that label.
 
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3 at 8

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I agree with Merkava. The word Mint is tossed around way too much yet it dosent have a subjective definition like good, fair or poor. My understanding is; Mint is the condition as it was when it was new. So an item can be new and mint or old and mint. So when does it stop being new? After use? The worst is people saying "its mint for its age" decsribing something real old and very used thats not falling apart yet.
 
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autoace

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Merkava is just real picky, I clean the junk out of the grooves, before putting them away too. Read my Nightmare for Merkava thread, I think it's kind of funny. I respect his tool care, even though it seems a little over done. I am only a few steps down myself. Long live clean tools!:bounce:
 
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Valsmere

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I hate when dealers describe their item as being "minty". I once replied to a dealer using that term "You mean as in a girl scout?"
 
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62 bird

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Totally agree w/ Merkava-Mint is Mint--close to new is used- if you put your tools away dirty, then this might seem "mint" to others. Buying a tool that the seller isn't proud enough to clean is kinda like paying a *****, You never know what your gonna get.
I have old worn tools that I sell, but at least they are clean!!
Just my 2 cents worth
62 bird
 
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nismomans13

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you realize you guys are talking about the little grooves on the handle..haha. I mean its not like this thing is covered in rust and sat in a tub of tar or something. I don't know many mechanics that get detail brushes and clean out the two little grooves on their handles..haha. Some of you are a little to ocd.
 
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J.A.F.E.

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nismomans13 said:
you realize you guys are talking about the little grooves on the handle..haha. I mean its not like this thing is covered in rust and sat in a tub of tar or something. I don't know many mechanics that get detail brushes and clean out the two little grooves on their handles..haha. Some of you are a little to ocd.
Click to expand...

The discussion is not about crud in the grooves at all. The discussion is about misrepresenting the condition of items for sale. The crud is the evidence not the issue.

The term mint from

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mint[4]

Main Entry:
4mint
Function:
adjective
Date:
1902

: unmarred as if fresh from a mint <in mint condition>

or

http://www.wordreference.com/definition/mint

Category Tree:
make; create
╚create from raw material; create from raw stuff
╚mint, coin, strike
C adjective
1 mint(a)
as if new; "in mint condition"

Which would coincide more or less with my understanding. That wrench, while in very good condition and very desirable perhaps almost new perhaps even almost mint is not mint. It has been used and so can not be in the condition as if "fresh from the mint". It has been used and once it's been used it is in used condition even if it only used one time. Need I point out the obvious example? Therefore the seller is misrepresenting the condition of the item either intentionally or out of ignorance. By using the term mint there is an expectation on the part of the seller of receiving a premium price that is not in fact justified. There is no law defining the word mint in commerce that I am aware of so any one can use it any way they want.

Perhaps it may seem picayune but it is not. When does a description change from being accurate and honest to misleading and dishonest? A seller should take every pain to be as accurate and honest as possible and a buyer should take every pain to be as wary and cautious as possible.

~Steve
 
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PowderKeg

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Gotta agree with JAFE and others - if the seller had stopped at "lightly used", or even added "like/near/almost new" it'd be fine, but "mint" contradicts the "lightly used". "Mint" infers never used, abused, damaged, altered, etc - condition is just as it came out of the package (but often doesn't include the original package).
 
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62 bird

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J.A.F.E Hit wrong key before I was finished saying-You are exactly correct with his bad calling on " MINT" hope he buys a gold coin in his thought of MINT.

62 bird
 
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J.A.F.E.

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62 bird said:
J.A.F.E Would you advertise or send a tool to anyone belonging to this board a dirty tool?
62 bird
Click to expand...

Any tool I'd sell would be used and would be advertised as such and so of course it would be dirty. The same way as when I buy a used tool from members of this board I'd know it was. Not once in buying a used tool have I ever complained it was dirty. In selling, my expectation would be for the buyer to pay for a used tool at used tool prices not new off the truck prices.

If by your question you are asking would I wipe it down the answer is yes the same way I would after using it. If you are asking would I clean every single crevice and inspect it with a loupe the answer is no of course not. Would the grooves have grime in them - very likely they would.

My issue is not selling a used tool dirty my issue is selling a used tool as something other than used.

I would not advertise a tool as "mint", "new", "as new", "almost new", "mint for it's age" or any other BS adjectives to try and inflate the price of a used item. And that's what I think this seller did.

~Steve
 
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J.A.F.E.

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62 bird said:
J.A.F.E Hit wrong key before I was finished saying-You are exactly correct with his bad calling on " MINT" hope he buys a gold coin in his thought of MINT.

62 bird
Click to expand...

I kind of did the same thing - I didn't see the second post before responding to the first. I wish no ill will on him/her, I'd just like to see people be more forthright.

~Steve
 
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