What does the word "mint" mean to you in relation to a sale?

[Toll]

My favorite is the "I sent it in perfect working condition so when you get it an it's buggered up I assume you did it" clause.

[BigEvil]

Honestly this was only my second transaction there. I really try to avoid it when I can because of the same stupid stuff. In both transactions there have been problems....just not too many other places to find an Angel nowdays. Even AOG is rediculous, slow and high.

Whenever I purchase something of substance, like a marker or something high value, I insist on getting the persons phone number and speaking directly to him. If he is a minor, then I insist on speaking to his parents. Ive had a few deals fall through because of seller's lack of enthusiasm for that idea.

Funny you should mention Angels, I picked up all of mine on but one on PBN. The one being an LED I scored off of Ebay (That I wish I still had). Most recently an Angel GAT, which of course, shows up with a malfunctioning Virtue board.

[punkncat]

Whenever I purchase something of substance, like a marker or something high value, I insist on getting the persons phone number and speaking directly to him. If he is a minor, then I insist on speaking to his parents. Ive had a few deals fall through because of seller's lack of enthusiasm for that idea.

Funny you should mention Angels, I picked up all of mine on but one on PBN. The one being an LED I scored off of Ebay (That I wish I still had). Most recently an Angel GAT, which of course, shows up with a malfunctioning Virtue board.

I am actually scouring around for a board right now. Looks like it will either be a Virtue, which I have excellent luck with in my G7, or an Angry Tadao board. Both of them are too darn high, so I was looking at the possibility of just repairing the LCD and being done with it. I have enough tourney legal markers to make it through.

Yeah it is funny, I have asked about the "talk to the parents" thing as well and suddenly you hear crickets from the other end....

[Lohman446]

Mint to me refers to a grade higher than "like new in box" in that not only is it as good as it was new in box it is better than to be expected - someone mentioned the smudge in anno on phantoms. If I bought something mint I would expect such flaws (expected to be there on a NIB marker) to not be there.

[B-Pow]

I expect the product to give me fresh breath and make women like me more.

In all honesty I don't put any weight to when a seller offers something "mint" as that phrase gets thrown around a lot more than it should be.

[Steelrat]

I posted up an excal with the description stating "amazing" or "excellent". It was an older excal with a few small marks, and it was pointed out to me that even though I thought the condition was excellent given it's age, the description may have been misleading. I made right on the deal, but it was a lesson learned. My take on condition may differ from the buyers.

HOWEVER, there can not be any confusion about "mint." It should have been flawless. Have the seller fix the situation.

[sandfreestyle]

Mint = The way it came from the factory and never left the box.

[surfbum]

In terms of paintball gear, mint to me means the exterior needs to be scratch free and the marker needs to be in perfect working condition.

i feel the same way

in terms of the deal in question, you absolutely need to make this guy right his wrong. regardless if he is selling something for a friend, HE is selling it, and the condition of the marker is his responsibility as a seller.
if he claims it is mint, and it has scratched anno and a broken LCD screen, that is NOT mint by any stretch of the imagination. you must not be afraid to leave bad feedback, and you can even tell him you will happily edit the negative feedback when he has fixed the problem. that has gotten quite a few poor traders to suck it up and fix their bad transaction.

[punkncat]

Well after contacting him, his excuse was the I didn't know cause all I did was flip it on and play with it, and its my friends marker. His solution is to refund my money and shipping cost, which is admirable I suppose, but certainly not the solution I am looking for out of him.

Kind of hard to be mad when he has offered me a refund, but it sure would have been nice for it to have been as specified.

Guess I have some thinking to do.

[Sumthinwicked]

ask for a partial refund the cost of the board bat combo resale then everyones happy

[paint magnet]

I would say mint on a gun still in production means NIB. On a gun that's a few years old or has been used, at least 95% of its original condition, meaning:

No scratches, save maybe wear on the inside of the ASA or possibly slight pump wear

No excessive wear on bolt, orings, breach, fittings, etc.

100% functional

If its value is as a collector's item, then all paperwork included

Everything clean and well-maintained (I can't recall how many guns were shipped to me with paint in the breach, barrel, etc. Even when I sell junker or parts guns I at least have the courtesy to run a squeegee through the thing)

Parts which wear out or have a reputation for easily breaking or falling off (like AGD Superbolt, WDP SENSI rod, WGP jewel logo, 12v. Revolution feedneck) are still intact

Honestly, if someone has actually played with the marker more than a few time, chances are I don't consider it mint. My guns are always well-maintained to ensure functionality, but I simply cannot afford to have a marker I am afraid to play with because I don't want it scratched. My Mag gets banged into bunkers (the solid kind) all the time, but a little 1500 grit sand paper will take the scratches right out.

I would say for general reference:

NIB means 100%, with box and paperwork. Possibly aired up or had paint through it but only from the factory or off a field, and less than 100 shots.

Perfect/Mint means 95%+

Excellent is 90%+

Above Average is 85%, meaning everything still works but the finish isn't so great.

Fair is 75%, might need minor parts like ball detent or trigger spring but it still works.

Poor is 50%, will require a rebuild kit, new hard parts, finish is marred, etc.

Anything below that is really only good for parts. The gun has excessive wear, broken parts, scratched finish, and will require more money to fix than it's worth.

Guns can increase in condition if they're reano'd, have new parts, seals, etc. but this detracts from the value of a collector's item.

[Hilltop Customs]

ask for a partial refund the cost of the board bat combo resale then everyones happy

thats what I would want. As for his excuse that its not his marker.....it doesnt matter, he(as the seller) descibed what it was to you. If he didnt know it wasnt mint, he shouldnt have said it was.....the scratches are enough to make it no longer mint, the broken LCD puts it over the top. Funny thing is he even said he turned it on broken LCD are highly noticable AFTER YOU TURN IT ON.

Its up to you but Id want enough money back to pay for a new LCD or a new board.

[Steelrat]

HOWEVER, I wouldn't force the issue too much. If he's willing to give you a refund and pay for the return shipping, but doesn't want to pay to have it fixed, I wouldn't argue with him. Just take the money and go find another G7.

[punkncat]

Well, I am just going to chalk it up to one more sub par dealing on the Nation.
I should have known better. And in the future, please, if I even post anything about THINKING of looking at something there someone kick me in the coin purse.

As I said above, the guy did give me the option to return the whole marker, but as I have no incination to go looking again with the definate possiblity of coming out worse than this, I am just going to eat the loss and call it a lesson learned.

I have purchased twice there in recent months and BOTH markers were not what they were presented to be. Both sellers had exceptional feedback. I guess if you buy there just beware and be sure to be very thorough and ask lots of detailed questions.

Overall I think this deal will end up costing me about $100 in reduced value or overpayment price of the marker in question coupled with replacement part cost.

[Chronobreak]

use a third party, and or a pay service such as paypal so you can get your $ back.

ask for up to date pics, proof that its workign etc etc

im not gonna be one of those people that say buyer beware or something like that but you have to be carefull buying anyhting anywhere, not just the nation.

the simple fact that there are 5x or more markers posted daily than even ebay or perhaps all other paintball sites combines increases the cahnce that there is going to be a problem.

i just read your post on the nation you deleted and well, im not sure what to say other than buy from a reputable person, but if you think using ebay, mcb or AO is a guaranteed your not gonnaget hosed than your very naive