Should a "mint" gun have scratches?

blackdeuce

blackdeuce

Bronze Supporter
Joined
Jan 1, 2012
Messages
1,917
Reaction score
2,303
Location
Kansas City
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.
 
Register to hide this ad
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?
 
Last edited:
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.
 
Last edited:
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.
 
Last edited:
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?
 
Last edited:
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.
 
Last edited:
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.
 
Last edited:
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:)
 
Last edited:
blackdeuce said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
blackdeuce said:
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.
Click to expand...

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".
 
Rule3 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Cirrus
Which 66 (No Dash) is the better gun?
2
Replies
33
Views
1K
Cirrus
Cirrus
roundgunner
Advice on selling gun knife combo.
Replies
10
Views
704
boykinlp
boykinlp
E
Refreshed and improved 5906
Replies
1
Views
309
Tazman11
Tazman11
J
Opinions on this new 686+ 3-5-7?
Replies
13
Views
1K
JT686
J
AJ
Pleasant Surprise " Pedersoli Colt Lightening .45 Colt
Replies
16
Views
590
AJ
AJ

Latest posts

Back
Top