Selling a watch on ebay

[Grouse]

I am contemplating selling a watch on ebay and am considering how to word the Ad.

The dial looks like the map of Washington DC and the movement was worked on by a ham-handed watchmaker with machine shop tools, but the case it is a "Minty, right from the factory" condition. A great Dollar Watch for the first time collector.

Is Minty a good descriptive word to use?

[Grouse]

I am contemplating selling a watch on ebay and am considering how to word the Ad.

The dial looks like the map of Washington DC and the movement was worked on by a ham-handed watchmaker with machine shop tools, but the case it is a "Minty, right from the factory" condition. A great Dollar Watch for the first time collector.

Is Minty a good descriptive word to use?

[mikeh]

Hi Gary,

Some sellers like to use it. Some buyers hate to see it used. Some folks seem to be extremely put off by it. Personally, it doesn't really bother me. I take it to mean almost, or close to, mint. I think it's use has gotten a bad reputation because some sellers use it to imply a watch is in better condition than it really is, but without actually saying something that isn't true. It leaves a little room for interpretation, if you know what I mean.

If you search these boards for the word, you'll probably see it's use lampooned quite a bit. And if you search ebay, you might see some not-so-nice references too! :redface:

[lamarw]

EBay provides plenty of narrative space to adequately describe an item in full detail. I would suggest you use exact descriptive wording and not subjective terminology like "minty". The term means different things to different folks. Describe the case as to whether it has any rubbing, scratches or etc. How well does the case open and close. If screw back, how good are the threads, the condition of the crystal and etc. Good clear pictures and an offer to provide additional pictures will often serve the buyer and seller in the sharing and understanding of an item's condition.

I am not sure, but you seem to imply it is a dollar watch. There are some items of lower dollar value which may not warrant the time and effort for a lot of pictures and paragraphs of descriptions.

[Wes]

If it tastes or smells like Wrigley's SpearMint gum, a Junior Mint, or something of the sort, then by all means, use MINTY! :wink:

[Wes]

If it is near mint - not factory new like Mint is - but close, than the general accepted terminology in most guides in print is "Near Mint"

[mikeh]

If one wants to be precise, watches aren't minted, so even the use of the root word is out of place.

I'm just sayin'... :smile:

[Wes]

Interesting point Mike...
But the Price Guides use it to describe a watch that is in the same condition as factory new, out of the box.

[mikeh]

Wes,

Well, since it's in the price guide... :wink:

I was only playing devil's advocate, but the word has been adapted to most any item that is collected, so it's just as appropriate with watches as anything else. As I said earlier, it's use doesn't bother me. I always place more value on the pictures anyway, and if I feel like there is ambiguity, I ask questions.

[Jon Hanson]

This utter nonsense--"mint" is a flavor not a condition.

An item is either new or used or new, damaged!

The term has been grabbed up from the numismatists, as in "mint condition" (from the US, or whatever, MINT).

The famous and now accepted Dr Sheldon scale for all coins originally referred to large cents as "mint state" if uncirculated and unworn!

Let's get the definitions correct!

[Jeff Hess]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I would suggest you use exact descriptive wording and not subjective terminology like "minty". </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


Guys, that word is a terrific word that dentoes "near mint". And "near mint" takes up 9 spaces in the oh-so-short title area on an eBay item wheras "minty" takes up only 5.

So we often (and so do people in MANY fields of collecting) use the word "minty" for conservaion of letters reasons. Ebay only allows you 54 precious spaces.

And ebay brass suggests that 80 percentof PEOPLE ONLY search titles and not titles AND descriptions.

Same with that other bugaboo word "RARE". Sometimes a watch is scarce and the word RARE finds its way into to the title.

The good guys go on the ecpand on the title that says "minty" whatever.

It is funny how that word.... "minty" irks so many.

Jeff

[CZHACK]

I thought your description of the dial and movement was great.............continue in the same style for the case. It may not sell but would amuse a few buyers.

[Bob Weinstein]

"Minty" is a made up name and can mean many different conditions. It basically has no true meaning. It is a non word.

It is a phony term used to suck in the buyers. It perpetuates a lie conditionwise to buyers.

[Jeff Hess]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">"Minty" is a made up name and can mean many different conditions. It basically has no true meaning. It is a non word.

It is a phony term used to suck in the buyers. It perpetuates a lie conditionwise to buyers. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

-------

Thanks Jon for your well thought out and constructive opinion.
Jeff Hess

[peg leg]

I find it odd that the only guy that get's this post is CZHACK and he's one of our fellow horologist from the Czech republic, but he knows what a messed up dollar watch in a pristine case is..........

Keith R...

[W.R. WoodWorking]

using "minty" or "mint condition" dont really bother me eithier but unless you have or seen a like watch as it came off the assymbly line, how can you use it as a description, truefully?

[Grouse]

I have now found out that there are a lot of members here that oppose the use of the word MINTY. Since I want to be politically correct I will just add a bag of Mint Tea in a Zippy along with the watch. In the bayou, we wear chest waders to go fishing.

Now please take a deep breath and exhale slowly several times. TM does wonders. A great means to relieve anxiety and pain.

[ron schneider]

mint tea or mint julip

[mikeh]

The fact of the matter is that there is no widely agreed upon terminology, let alone a grading system, for use in watch collecting.

I'll use Jon Hanson as an example because I know he can take it. He likes the words crisp and blazer, but crisp is the texture of a cracker or the cool air on a bright, clear morning, and a blazer is a jacket.

Now, I know what Jon means when he uses those words. I also know that he stands behind his descriptions so I don't worry about buying something from him, and herein is the point. Know what you're buying, who you're buying it from, ignore fluff, and ask questions about anything you have reason to doubt.

[Jeff Hess]

Mike,

Well said.


Jeff

descriptives are just that.. "decriptive"...

And salesmanship is and hyperbole is in every newspaper, every movie, every television show and every bus stop.

Do you homework before buying or selling.

Ask questions when buying ..whether from a mart table or from Sothebys or lowly eBay.

If you are selling, use lots of pics to show all angle of a watch, otherwise people will think the one side you did not picture, will be dented and ruined. If you are selling on ebay, use the best words in the title you can to draw attention to your listing without lying. Expain in profuse detail in the longer description below.

Jeff

[mikeh]

Where did Jon go on this? He was here earlier... maybe someone needs to go check on him. :smile:

[Jon Hanson]

Yes, Indeed, I left a detailed post on this subjet in responSE to friend Hodo and it has been "trapped" in "Q" for what 5 weeks now FOR VERY CURIOS REASONS?