When you describe a guitar for sale, how much detail do you go in to?
I only ask as I went to see a guitar which was described as mint, I asked questions prior to setting off just for clarification and was assured all was as described but when I got to the sellers home it had dinks to the rear of the neck, plenty of buckle rash and a couple of other marks.
The guitar was 5 years old and if he had described it properly I wouldn't have gone to see it as I wouldn't buy a guitar with dinks to the neck and saved myself a near 60 mile round trip.
I accept that a guitar x years old is likely to have been used but equally for whatever reason some guitars are never used and therefore could legitimately be described as mint.
Am I being to OCD?
By the way it had all the paperwork; )
Comments
Personally I prefer dinged and dented guitars, I hate the pristine thing.
IMO you have to be as honest as possible - If it looks like Rory's Strat then fine - Nothing to be ashamed of so just say it as you see it
Nothing wrong to say nigh on mint but merest hint of a graze on the rear of the body - But be honest about what you can see
There seem to be a lot of buyers who need it to be actual mint, in the case and never gigged - they are the hardest to please.
Everyone's idea of mint/vgc etc is different and vary wildy in expectations
"Mint" means *as new*, with no marks or signs of use whatever. The expression comes from "in the same condition as it left the mint", used by coin collectors.
The only way any guitar that has even one tiny ding on it can be described as mint is if it's a factory relic.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
I mean, it's going to get played so why would anyone want a mint guitar...
Lol.
Totally agree, mint means mint.
A "case queen" instrument will only remain that way if it is hardly used.
IMO, what you are being is cost conscious. I do not blame you. Internet selling sites are awash with comedians, trying it on, asking ludicrous prices. Once these figures are seen, others take that to be The Going Rate and set that price when they advertise.
Having travelled that distance, my approach would be to point out all of the ways in which the guitar was not "mint" and how the asking price did not reflect its true condition. Next, I would propose the notion of haggling. If the seller immediately declines my suggestion, I leave.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Basically I want people to be totally honest and I'll have to accept that their are chancers out there: )
When I think about it most items that I've seen/bought that have been described as mint, generally haven't been, so I might have to rethink my approach to the seller who does use the term 'mint' in future!