Should a "mint" gun have scratches?

blackdeuce

blackdeuce

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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.
 
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Alpo said:
I would expect that anyone saying they had a "mint" gun was a used-car salesman at heart, and was trying to scam me.

It's like "cherry" or "as new in box". It means nothing, but sounds REALLY REALLY GOOD.
Click to expand...

It's a pawn shop that has sold a lot of guns, but he must not see many nice ones. He confirmed by email that he missed the scratches. Without them, it is very clean. He screwed up, but it's my problem.
 
Did he give you a three day inspection incase you wanted to return it?
All sales final isn't right to me that's a flag that means buyer beaware.

"Mint"?

GUN CONDITION RATINGS It's either like NIB CONDITION, EXCELLENT CONDITION, VERY GOOD CONDITION, GOOD CONDITION, FAIR CONDITION OR POOR CONDITION.

Then the bore condition ratings on the older rifles that shot corrosive ammo. Corroded bore, a shootable bore but corroded, slightly corroded, sewer pipe bore, good rifling but corroded. It's the sellers call to rate exactly what it is. I been through it all.

I've seen some dealers use a very good/good condition I say which is it?

I deal with one dealer online only so far his prices are a tad high but he rates his guns and there condition plus I get a three day inspection and return just incase I don't like it. Out of about 25 firearms so far I never returned or questioned a one to this day. He sold me a few s&w revolvers he rated at 99% condition. There actually underrated there 99.99% condition. There wasn't any flaws on them at all. There between 60+ years old to 30 years old.

I believe and hope there are many more honest sellers than dishonest seller. I wonder how the dishonest sellers sleep at night?
 
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The stupid thing is that the seller acknowledges that he might have "botched" this one, but still won't do anything about it. He talks about his 100 percent feedback. I told him that his other transactions have no bearing on this one. He can't make good on his one "botched" deal?
 
blackdeuce said:
The stupid thing is that the seller acknowledges that he might have "botched" this one, but still won't do anything about it. He talks about his 100 percent feedback. I told him that his other transactions have no bearing on this one. He can't make good on his one "botched" deal?
Click to expand...

He's BSing you. Pawn shop guys are experts at taking advantage of people, and he appears to be no exception. I can guarantee you that he saw those scratches and just chose to float it out there as "mint" because the rest of the gun looked great. I can also guarantee that the person that brought that gun in to him to sell it was told that there were scratches on it, and therefore worth less money to the original seller.

Your seller saying that he is not willing to take the gun back, despite his "mistake," is evidence that he lied about the condition of the gun, and proves that he's disreputable. An honest person, that made a mistake, would make it right, period.

These things happen, unfortunately. There are a lot of reputable people selling guns online, this is not one of them...
 
Mint condition is a reference started by coin dealers originally if I am correct and means as it left production. He would have to examine the gun carefully to give it that condition designation. Sounds fishy to me especially without the three day inspection with option to return.
 
"Mint" is a term to describe either the spice or the place which manufactures coins. The definitions of mint in the Dictionary are as follows-

For the spice:
1. any aromatic, labiate herb of the genus Mentha
2. any plant of the mint family
3. a peppermint candy
4. made or flavored with mint

For the coin:
1. a place where money is produced
2. a vast amount of money
3. coins as issued directly from maker
4. to make coins by stamping metal
5. to turn metal into coins

When a person says a "mint" gun, they obviously do not understand the meaning of the word. Either he is talking about the spice or coins, either of which apply to firearms.

Personally, I would avoid anyone who uses the term "mint" in a conversation about firearms as it is a good indicator that they do not know what they are talking about. Just my $0.02.
 
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What kind of scratches? Can you post a pic? Are they deep or just surface? Just like people have different ideas of what is mint they also have different ideas of what a scratch is. A gun in a box but being handled will develop fine surface scratches. I know a guy who considers mint to be the moment right before it was put in a box and shipped out. Once it's in the box bouncing around inside a truck it is no longer mint as fine scratches develop
 
I also stay away from the sellers who won't accept a credit card.
They want a money order. That steers me away if they have a business and a ffl license.

Private sales here I can understand using a usps money order. But a business that won't accept a credit card buyer beaware there hiding something. But I could be wrong with some too read the feed back and go with your first gut feeling. If I second guess my first gut feeling I pass.

Iron Will Quote,
Who do I trust? Trust the dogs and let the creator guide you.
 
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Blackdeuce:

"Mint" means "mint" - factory fresh, in other words. This guy is either a scam artist, or doesn't have the horsepower to allow you to return the gun for refund. Did you pay for it with a credit card? If so, contest it with the CC company. By the way, since he is so proud of his feedback, ask him how he wants you to write yours about your interaction with him?

Best of luck,

Dave

PS: I forgot to add, if not a refund, would he be willing to give you an off-set, (aka partial refund) because of his error? How much money back would make you happy - assuming the return and (full) refund option is off the table?
 
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I don't hold back on feed back its pay back time when the seller is totally wrong and won't take the gun back or adjust the purchase price.
There's a dealer near me who sells out of his home but uses the online gun sales sights to sell. He has a long list of negative feed back. Yup I got burned once too. I should of seen it coming. I was new and trusted people on there word. I found out too late he's a scumbag. I was for a cheap 22cal. Revolver being experienced in working with metal I fixed it but that's not the point. Too bad for him he's no longer on that gun for sale sight. He burned himself.
 
To me, MINT means like it just rolled off the assembly line and must be 100% perfect or at least as perfect as humanly possible (NO scratches) period!

I'd either ask for a price reduction (partial refund) or a FULL return of your funds including postage because of false advertising. If he is nor amicable to that, then I would post a rather explicit feedback for all to see and chalk it up as a lesson learned - about all you can do at that point.
 
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