I'm not aware of one. Same problem applies to antiques, watches,
jewelery, etc., etc.


Guy Atkins wrote:
In case anyone's wondering, here's what I meant by "collector
quality". When
I first saw this receiver, I immediately thought it looked good
enough for a
serious collector to want in his/her collection. So, that's why
"collector
quality" came to mind and why I used it in the description.

I'm not a collector myself-- my communications receivers are used for
DXing
and are often modified. Perhaps I should have been aware of
collectors'
definitions of commonly used phrases like Mint, Collector Condition,
etc.; I
do know that I would not use the phrase MINT lightly, as that
certainly
implies an "as-minted" or "as produced in the factory" condition.

Is there a source somewhere online that gives guidance for this sort
of
thing? I don't want to mislead anyone in my auction descriptions.
There must
be an agreed-upon body of language and phrases in the collectables
arena for
describing radios & electronic items appropriately.

Guy in Puyallup, WA
(who just shipped an extremely nice 5900W to a new owner :^)



wrote in message
oups.com...
Yes, I agree there should not be a new and old standard for the
term
mint. Actually, I have seen very few 30 year old radios that meet
the
dictionary definition "as if new". Mint should mean new, as it was
minted or produced at the factory. For a 30 year old radio to be
in
that cosmetic condition it would have been boxed up and not used.
Very
few popularly priced radios were accorded that treatment. They
were
used, and rightfully so. Time does take a toll on electronic and
mechanical components even when not used, so a perfect looking
radio
may have difficulties when plugged in. There are however lots of
used
radios for sale that are in good to very nice condition.

Most mint-in-the-box radios I have seen for sale are in fact nice
looking packages the seller has put together. A very nice radio,
the
box and the instructions were all acquired separately and married.

Descriptives like Mint, Collector Condition, New Old Stock,
Pristine
are all imprecise and open to interpretation by buyer and seller.
That's why it's important to ask lots of specific questions before
buying and walk away from deals when the right answers are not
forthcoming.