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.


Radio E V E R H A R T wrote:
On 19 Jan 2005 05:40:58 -0800, wrote:

Not sure I understand your snide comment. Both mint and collector
quality are vague descriptions and it's up to buyer and seller to
reach
an understanding about the specific condition of the radio. It
looks
pretty good to me.

I think that it is unrealistic to expect any 30 year old shortwave
radio will be perfect.

The key with this sale as others is the reputation of the seller.
While I don't know Mr. Atkins personally, I do know of him by
reputation within the hobby. My knowlege of him goes back to when
Fine Tuning released it's Proceedings.

Radio E V E R H A R T wrote:
On Tue, 18 Jan 2005 12:45:13 -0800, "Guy Atkins"
wrote:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=5743939986

Thanks for looking!



Too bad collector quality and mint are two very different things.

Sorry the comment came across as "snide". Not my intention at all.
My message was meant to inform. The term "collector quality" does
not mean mint or new. Sounds like it - but it doesn't. Just wanted
people to be aware of that. Also, your statement: "I think that it
is unrealistic to expect and 30 year old shortwave radio will be
perfect" is ridiculous. There are plenty of "old", perfect radios
and they demand a lot of cash as they should. Also, the term mint or
like new should be the same for a 30yr old radio as it is for a 1
year
old radio. I can tell by your message that you'd advertise an older
radio as like new and then when your buyer received it you'd say:
"Well it's like new for a 30 year old radio". Whoa, that's where
the
argument starts. And you'd be wrong.

Regards, Bill E