Let's Define "mint" And "rare"

[2cute4u2]

#342

OK…I am very curious as to what the members think of when the words “MINT” and “RARE” are used to describe, in particular, solids sold on ebay. JMHO…but seems to me that too many sellers use these words far too freely and frequently when describing the EL solids for sale. /laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ />

The other word “MINT” is used to describe solids wo/original packaging and those that are empty, etc.

Perhaps it's just me (but I don't think it is) but these 2 words are meaningless when it comes to ebay descriptions.

Would love to hear what others think.

BTW…if someone discovers an EL solid on ebay that is truly “RARE” I'd love to know about it. So far…pretty much nothing in the rare category on ebay that I've seen. /biggrin.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’biggrin.gif’ />

[Lisa]

#14431

My thoughts are the seller just wants more money and is making it sound like it is better than it really is.

MINT to me is a solid in its original box with outer white box, full of perfume and label in other words never been touched or taken out of the box (except for photo of course!) <img src='style_emoticons//tongue.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’tongue.gif’ />

I agree these words are used too freely but we always know better! <img src='style_emoticons//wink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’wink.gif’ />

[Lori B]

#14432

I noticed that about ebay sellers as well, using those words too freely. My personal favorite is our “favorite” ebay seller (whom is back in full swing) who states in the auction “mint, as is” – what the heck is that supposed to mean???

There was also a seller who used “MIB” in the item titles quite a bit, but there was no mention of the box in the descriptions nor in the photos. I asked the seller if it had the box, and the response was that it did not. I pressed further as to why it said MIB in the item titles, which th reply back was MIB meant “Mint In Bag.” That is stretching it a little if you ask me (and misleading)… Sorry if this person is a member on this site, but I did not agree with that.

Lori

[favoritegram]

#14433

I also noticed our “Favorite” Seller was back while doing an Ebay search last nite. When I saw their Rollercoaster I also wondered what Mint As Is meant. I guess that means the best condition for an incomplete solid that there is, LOL. I know several of us are Ebay sellers and just wanted to let you all know that if you come across an of my auctions and they say MIB, you can be assured that it is. I agree that these terms, Mint, Rare and No Flaws are overused and meaningless most of the time. I am active on the Ebay glass chat and our main complaint is people listing things as undamaged and when they arrive have cracks or chips. Lainey

[Martha C]

#14434

This is the definition of MINT according to Webster's dictionary: “Being in its original, unused condition, as if newly made.” In my opinion, a solid perfume compact without the perfume, original box and outer white box is certainly not mint. How can something be mint if the contents are missing? <img src='style_emoticons//ph34r.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’ph34r.gif’ />

[Michele]

#14435

Have to agree with you all here. “Mint As Is?” What is that? And yes, many of us are sellers as well as buyers. When I say something is MIB, it is Mint In the Box! However, I have found that if I list something that is LESS THAN MINT and point out the problem, even so much as a tiny chip (as in the case of some Waterford Crystal and Orrefors I sold a few months ago), people are still going to bid. They prefer honesty and want to know exactly what they are bidding on. So if you're selling something less than perfect, it's ok to point out the defects, no matter how small. Buyers appreciate it…I know I do.

[Sandra]

#14436

<img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ /> Yeah- I think we've had this discussion before about M-I-N-T.

I will have to agree with Martha's dictionary description on the word – that would be my expectation on the solid.

I wouldn't apologise on disagreeing with anyone who misused and mistreated the word. Obviously if you know it's an odd usage of the word or MIB letters, then you would take that seller and that item with a grain of salt. It's rubbish they would be selling.

So they should perhaps describe it as R.I.B. (Rubbish in Box).

Good luck!! You know the 'good sellers', so stick with them and support them and hope the others give up or go bust!!

We are trying to protect the name and items as collectables here, so really, try to leave the 'junk' to others.

[Karin]

#14437

I have a confession to make: I just about had it with the boxes!! I know perfectly well that serious collectors wants everything MIB, but these boxes are just too much and not to speak about all these pouches you have no use for. I have no space for it all and I don't find them especially worth saving in their own right, ok, I do save them because I feel I have to but that is the only reason. If I could I would buy the solids MWB = mint without box, but it is so hard to find solids with untouched perfume without the boxes. I see no reason at all to buy empty solids though, no matter their condition the whole point of them is lost, they are just like any other trinket box. So I have disclosed that I am not a true collector, is there anyone else like me or do I have to start my own MWB collectors club? <img src='style_emoticons//laugh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’laugh.gif’ />

Karin

[Ar]

#14438

Hi Karin,
I understand your point, but history has shown that if you are saving something as a collectible, it will be worth more with the original box. If you don't care about the highest value in the future, it doesn't matter. <img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />
What I am not clear on is why it is important to save the solid perfume. It gets yucky inside the compact after several years. Anyone??? <img src='style_emoticons//huh.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’huh.gif’ />
Ar

[Karin]

#14439

Ar,
The perfume still smells lovely. I found an old Moonsilver solid that the seller had tried to clean out in order to sell it as a pillbox, the necklace part was removed by the same reason. Anyhow, it still had a distinct air of perfume around it, so I couldn't resist buying it. The perfume is what I like so much about the solid perfume compacts and what made me start collect them. I also collect powder compacts beacuse of the interiors with mirrors and especially when they have different compartments for powder, rouge and lipstick. I'm not at all found of empty pill boxes, I want to find something when I open the lid. <img src='style_emoticons//wink.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’wink.gif’ />

Karin

[Lori B]

#14440

Hi Karin – I do know what you mean about having the box, although 99% of the time I will only buy it if it has the box, not only to preserve future value, but the boxes themselves are pretty and provide the perfect storage container.

I also do not purchase them without the box for this reason – I cannot afford more than one of any given solid, and I know that if I purchase one without the box I will eventually come across the same solid with the box and feel I wasted $$ on the first one because I will just HAVE to buy the one with a box. If I could afford to have more than one of each solid, I probaby wouldn't mind the 2nd without a box and have it strictly to display.

Regarding the perfume, I agree that, to me anyway, without it it is just a box, not a solid perfume.

On a different note, I came across some solids on ebay that had the solid pictured with the box, but then at the bottom of the auction it stated that it was the solid only, no box, no perfume. Again, very misleading! <img src='style_emoticons//mad.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’mad.gif’ />

Lori

[loveperfume]

#14441

Seems like last year someone else got tired of having all the boxes hanging around and started putting them on ebay – no perfume – just the boxes. I'm not sure that they sold many but they were listed somewhere around $20.00. Does anyone else remember this?

[Nancy]

#14442

Hi Lori, you could do what lots of collectors do and 'upgrade'. If you like a solid and it doesn't have a box buy it, if it's a good price. Then, if you later get one MIB, you can sell your old one and that helps to pay for the new one. Makes sense doesn't it? <img src='style_emoticons//cool.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’cool.gif’ />

[Petals]

#14443

Hi Lori, I was one of those people who bought one of the boxes. Was really happy I had the opportunity to do so as one of my solids which I sent arrived with a broken gold box. Under the circumstances I was lucky enough to find the correct box so that the person receiving the solid had a replacement! It may have cost me more money, but it was a happy outcome!

Nancy, I agree with you!

<img src='style_emoticons//smile.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’smile.gif’ />

[Aussie Girl]

#14444

Lori, Yes I also bought one of the boxes as I had bought the solid on E-Bay & it only had its gold box & I prefer all my solids to be Mint with both the boxes. Unfortunately for me the Australian Customs opened the parcel & in re-packing didn't put the lid of the outer box on properly (which was the one I purchased it for) & it arrived broken – No-one of course would take any responsibility so I was out of pocket & no better off! One of the many problems we Aussies have buying solids unfortunately.

Karen <img src='style_emoticons//sad.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’sad.gif’ /> <img src='style_emoticons//sad.gif’ border=’0′ style=’vertical-align:middle’ alt=’sad.gif’ />

[Author]

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