Terms

[Feather]

Hi there 

Ok... this may sound silly to most of you guys but I can't find definition nor figure out what the terms MINT and MIP mean. All I can link it with is when something is in a box or bag and has not been opened... but my understanding is still too vague for me.

Would someone enlighten this French speaking new collector please?   

And if there are other terms you guys might think a new comer could find useful, could you mention them as well?

Thank you 

Feather

[Bill Blackhurst]

MIP = Mint In Package, same as mint in sealed box
Mint = Pristine, like new, excellent condition
MIB = Mint In Box, should be in factory sealed box
EUC = Excellent Used Condition, little evident wear, but used played with condition

[Martin Milner]

You might encounter

CBTOD - chewed by toddler or dog
SLAAT - smells like an ashtray
POOFTHD - picture out of focus to hide damage

[cachalote]

  Adj. 1. mint - as if new; "in mint condition"
perfect - being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish; "a perfect circle"; "a perfect reproduction"; "perfect happiness"; "perfect manners"; "a perfect specimen"; "a perfect day"

  there is also BNIB, brand new in box.
i have a different view from bill and don't see that this definition implies that the box should be sealed.
for this to happen it should say brand new in an unopenned box.

[Tiermann]

As Bill said, note that Mint doesn't refer to any packaging. Double check MIB it can also mean Mint in Bag instead of Box.

[Bill Blackhurst]

As Bill said, note that Mint doesn't refer to any packaging. Double check MIB it can also mean Mint in Bag instead of Box.

You are correct, I forgot that situation  ! Then there is MOC = Mint On Card  . NRFB = Never Removed From Box/Bag. Plus I've noticed some sellers that are saying NEW, Never used, but in the picture the item has had some of its decals installed, & is missing its accessories, how is that considered new  ?

[Bill Blackhurst]

  there is also BNIB, brand new in box.
i have a different view from bill and don't see that this definition implies that the box should be sealed.
for this to happen it should say brand new in an unopenned box.[/font]

A good point  ! Sellers are using very loose terms now, & I don't approve of the single small pictures showing the item! To me it seems to be a chance to be taken advantage of  !

[Klickus Mobilius]

You might encounter

CBTOD - chewed by toddler or dog
SLAAT - smells like an ashtray
POOFTHD - picture out of focus to hide damage

 

[Rasputin]

Hi Feather 

   I do not know what auction site you are using but on Ebay there is an area under "Description" - "Item Specifics" that looks like it requires a seller to select a "condition" as being "new" or "used"

   Going on what a seller uses for terms can be quite misleading and unfortunatly many seller know this. They seem to use it as a means of driving their prices up.

Here is what is says inside Ebay

 Often times we see initials used in Ebay titles and descriptions when describing Vintage TOYS and DOLLS. This is what they mean:  MIB: 'Mint in the Box' means this item is in MINT condition and in its original box.
# NIB: 'New in the Box' means the item looks the way it did when it came from the factory, and more than likely never played with.
# NRFB: 'Never Removed From the Box' means the item has never been taken out of the original box, thus never handled.
# NOS: 'New Old Stock' generally refers to a 'lot' or 'bulk' items that have been discovered tucked away from an old store or business. Generally these items are in their original packaging which generally has 'shelf dust,' but the actual item has been protected.
# MIBS:  There is NO such initial description as MIBS when referring to antiques and collectibles.  MIBS is a error/mistake that obviously was made while someone was listing on Ebay.  Actually the correct term is  MIB, not MIBS.  So often sellers copy/follow others when listing, and the mistake has been repeated.  To be a knowledgeable seller, use the term MIB, not MIBS.

Hopefully this has shed some light on some of the 'mystery' initials used on Ebay and other sites. If this has been helpful, please vote YES. Thank you.

and just remember

WHAT YOU CANNOT SAY:

This is a common one and perhaps the biggest mistake of all as sellers may really believe this:

"Insurance is offered on all my auctions, if you do not take it  I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR GOODS LOST OR BROKEN IN THE MAIL"

Guess what, chances are YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE, especially if you take paypal. Write it in your auctions all you want; if a buyer pays with paypal and gets a broken item or no item at all, they can make a claim with paypal and more often than not , they will win. If you ship with delivery confirmation and buyer claims item did not arrive but DC shows it did, you may be okay, but if you have no proof that they got their item (and a shipping receipt from your local Post Office is not proof) you will lose. The biggest lesson all sellers should learn:

   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"

PS: Very funny Martin  what is the term for unidentified odors ? 

[Bill Blackhurst]

WHAT YOU CANNOT SAY:
This is a common one and perhaps the biggest mistake of all as sellers may really believe this:
"Insurance is offered on all my auctions, if you do not take it  I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR GOODS LOST OR BROKEN IN THE MAIL"
Guess what, chances are YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE, especially if you take paypal. Write it in your auctions all you want; if a buyer pays with paypal and gets a broken item or no item at all, they can make a claim with paypal and more often than not , they will win. If you ship with delivery confirmation and buyer claims item did not arrive but DC shows it did, you may be okay, but if you have no proof that they got their item (and a shipping receipt from your local Post Office is not proof) you will lose. The biggest lesson all sellers should learn:
   Rasputin "The Mad Monk"

You are correct Ras! Sellers that try to make additional profit through shipping without protecting themselves with delivery confirmation or a higher level of shipping method are at risk if something goes wrong, even if it states in the auction they are not! For example, the auction states $15.00 for shipping an item, but when the item is received, there is a label confirming an actual $6.00 was spent to ship it! Pay Pal insures up to $2000.00 on items if their services are used protecting the buyer & seller, & if there is an investigation conducted they use both sides evidence to make a fair analysis.