Should a "mint" gun have scratches?

I bought a 629 Mountain Gun new from a retailer. I was so happy to get my (then) grail gun that I didn't inspect it. Later a friend pointed out that it had a big scratch on the cylinder. By then I figured it was my word against theirs, caveat emptor!

And before anyone asks, yes, I trust my friend.
 
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I did pay with a credit card and I will leave accurate feedback. After 70+ transactions, this will be my first negative. I've always been able to work through issues.

I get the feeling that this guy is an employee and he'd rather have negative feedback than address the issue.

I'll probably just leave feedback and move on. It's not worth the agony of pursuing . The guy is a fool for not working this out. The negative feedback could cost him a lot more than what I would have accepted.
 
Mint used for a firearm would be perfect in every way. As we can not see the add nor the pictures it is hard to say. What is the definition of a scratch"" How big, how can the seller "miss" it??

Post a good picture of it if you want, sure would be easier than describing it.

Regardless if he said MINT is should be perfect.

As the seller doesn't what to make good on it, your only recourse is a honest feedback on your part.

Now had the seller said "minty" I would have run!

Take a look at anything that LEE sells, he describes every single thing in detail and will point out every flaw if any. Many, many pictures. There is no question as to what the condition is. Plus he has a 3 day no shoot return,
Course I can't afford any of those:)
 
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The scratches aren't huge gouges, but I noticed them within the first few seconds of examining the gun. The scratches go all the way through the bluing.

The gun is blued or Nickel??

You can try to blend the scratches use Flitz and a soft cloth (NO POWER TOOL)

It is safe for factory blued. Folks will say no, but it is. I have done it on many guns. and it will not harm the gun, blued or nickel. Just do not over do it. Label says so, Brownells says so.
 
I did pay with a credit card and I will leave accurate feedback. After 70+ transactions, this will be my first negative. I've always been able to work through issues.

I get the feeling that this guy is an employee and he'd rather have negative feedback than address the issue.

I'll probably just leave feedback and move on. It's not worth the agony of pursuing . The guy is a fool for not working this out. The negative feedback could cost him a lot more than what I would have accepted.

If this was on GB I would bet that neither he nor anyone else ever sees the negative feedback. Most sellers have so many feedbacks that one negative gets lost in the noise. Buyers will see "A+++ with 3990 ratings" and never go any deeper.
 
Mint condition
Mint condition is an expression used in the description of pre-owned goods. Originally, the phrase related to the way collectors described the condition of coins. As the name given to a coin factory is a "mint", then mint condition is the condition a coin is in when it leaves the mint.
Mint condition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mint_condition
Wikipedia
 
Have you spoken with the owner of the establishment? That would be my next call. Chances are real good that the owner would rather have a satisfied customer and positive feedback. Chances are also good that, if this is an employee, this ain't the first time he has been disingenuous. It always helps to take it up the line.

If no satisfaction is gained there, then there are always regulatory agencies who, though they may take no action, should be willing to at least hear your complaint. If they are doing their job, then a series of complaints may result in an investigation into their sales practices. And if you do talk to an agency, make sure the shop knows about it. Not in a threatening manner, just a "Hey, so you know, I filed a complaint with XXX due to what I consider poor treatment and response by your place of business".
 
The gun is blued or Nickel??

You can try to blend the scratches use Flitz and a soft cloth (NO POWER TOOL)

It is safe for factory blued. Folks will say no, but it is. I have done it on many guns. and it will not harm the gun, blued or nickel. Just do not over do it. Label says so, Brownells says so.

I used the Simi-chrome polish on a soft rag which I just had finished polishing my stainless gun to use it on my blues gun.
The used polish has less bite in the compound left in it. I have removed the very light freckling on a blues gun to make it a better condition. Now she is bathing in oil so it can never happen again.
 
I just received a 19-5 that was advertised as mint and "photos don't do it justice". No pictures showed scratches on the barrel. I spoke to the seller before paying and was told that he doesn't see many this nice. No mention of scratches when I asked if there were any blems.

Sent him an email and he basically said sorry, but too bad. No returns. No compensation for the decreased value of the gun. He says that I should have expected normal wear. I have guns 20 years older than this one that don't have scratches.

What would you expect from a "mint" gun? It had the box, manual, and tools.

The guy sounds like areal a-------! I wonder if there is an online Pawn Shop rating service? like there is for restaurants?

Around here-we have a site called: Urban Spoon--works VERY VERY well.:-))
 
If it has scratches on it then I would not consider it to be in Mint Condition. Mint to me means Zero imperfections.
 
I have bought brand new Smiths from the 80's and 90's that had minor scratches from the factory. Once I strap one on it's gonna get scratched anyway.
 

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