according to my recollection, this model design(well with the DCC) is under 2 years old.
I couldn’t find my dictionary but to my understanding “mint” means something old but in good shape, or a plant that smells nice, or a facility that makes coins.
The Train Collectors Association defines mint as being “all original, unused and unblemished.” Notice that no time frame is given. Mint in the context of toy trains(or anything else, for that matter), generally means that the item has not been handled for any purposes since being placed in the original factory box, although technically something can be mint and lacking its original box.
Describing a brand new, never removed from the box recent production train as being mint is a perfectly valid use of the word. In the coin collecting world, where I believe the use of the word “mint” to describe condition originated, a 2005 proof coin or federal reserve rolled coin(never touched by human hands) is still given the highest possible grade of MS-65, or MS-70 for proof coins(MS=Mint State).
What is not valid, though, although it is very common on Ebay, is to describe a 50 year old Lionel train that looks to have been run over by a dump truck and then left underwater for 10 years as being “mint considering its age”.
Kinda like the definition of “vintage.” Or how about the definition of the term “runs great.” Without a standard as a reference words are open to a huge amount of interpretation.
To me something 2 years old being described as mint would throw up a red flag. If i were the seller i would say either like new or describe the condition no scratches, some wear, little wear etc. The old adage is very true on E-bay in my opinion, Buyer Beware. If it sounds too good to be true it just may be. That said there are some good deals there just have to use common sense.
Ebay has alot of auctions that I consider questionable. However… truly mint items tend to be well presented with many photos and fought over by the bidders.
I am waiting to see the words “Weathered” and “Mint” used together. I dont think I have seen that yet. =)
I could be new old stock, i.e., still new in the original box but never opened, used, etc. Just because it is at least two years old doesn’t mean it couldn’t be like new.
I’m not defending the use of mint, just want to suggest a possible reason. If you bought the model new a few years ago and left it in its original box unopened all this time, couldn’t it be considered :“mint”?
Mint is a description of condition, not age. “Mint in box” would indicate as it was when it left the factory; unopened, untouched. If I bought a roll of paper towels at Wal-Mart last night (which, in fact, I did), today it would be considered “mint in package”, because I haven’t opened it yet.
Now, a listing for a vintage Bachmann DCC-equipped B&O Locomotive would be something else entirely!
I’m still trying to figure out “rare” and “vintage”
“Rare,” I think, means the seller has never seen it before.
“Vintage,” I think, means anythihg not in the original box, or if it is in the original box, the box has a stain or crumpled corner.
A rare vintage item can still be in the stores at the time of an eBay auction.
Right. That’s the way I’ve always seen the definition of mint. I can see where it would be associated with old stuff too, though. Yall know how Ebay is.
I know this isn’t a disagreement in vocabulary, but something else; when a seller mentions something along the lines of “This will be an easy fix for someone with experience.”
How exactly do they know that? And sometimes, they even mention that they know nothing about trains. They are just trying to sucker in someone to buy it, because they just want as much as they can get for it.
I usually try to avoid anything described like that, or just with “runs great,” “rare,” or “mint” et cetera.
Trainfreak “Easy fix” sometimes is not easy to fix.
Some of it is just junk waiting for the parts bin. But if said easy fix junk has a part that is coveted by someone else to get HIS easy fix busted loco to RUN, you bet he will be in the bidding for the easy fix item.
I sold a shay that was not exactly an easy fix, the buyer told me he was able to share parts among two seperate shays to build one almost perfect running shay for less than what he might have paid for retail.
It warms my heart that shay might still be hauling logs and making happy memories where it otherwise might have started to rust in my parts box.
Interestingly the American Heritage Dictionary has the following two definitions of “vintage.”
Characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic.
Old or outmoded
So it appears that “vintage Tyco” could be accurate!
Well,I have several hard to find vintage Athearn cars I would like to sell.These cars are unbuilt and in mint condition…
To me that means those cars are old Athearn kits in road names that has been discontinued for years and are in NEW condition…
Now vintage doesn’t mean your readily available BB kits that can be found at most train shows.