I often see vintage glassware, kitchenware, china, and dinnerware described to be in 'mint' condition, and wonder how something 30, 40 or 50 years old can be in mint condition.  People bought those items to use them, not because those pieces possessed some enduring quality to just sit pretty on the shelf.  There are wonderful exceptions, but vintage glassware outside of the box inevitably show some signs of use precluding them from being mint.  To me, mint implies new in the box, having never been used, without flaws or signs of wear.  I also know that beauty is the eye of the beholder, and mint is a term used too often on eBay.  As such, caveat emptor (buyer beware) and always ask questions!

Over the years I have purchased vintage dinnerware, glassware, and kitchenware items advertised as mint only to be disappointed when I opened the box to find the item had notable signs of wear.  I learned very quickly to ask sellers specific questions about the condition of the item prior to placing my bid.  Be weary of brief descriptions that convey little or no specific information about an item's condition.  Most sellers welcome questions and willingly clarify whether or not the item is in good, very good, excellent or mint condition, pointing out particular reasons why the item is or is not in its stated condition. 

I encourage buyers to exercise their right to ask sellers specific questions about an item's condition prior to placing a bid.  I also recommend consistent criteria guidelines within description categories of good, very good, excellent, near mint, and mint condition, which require explicit details regarding the presence or absence of chips, cracks, crazing, dings, fading, fleabites, hairlines, pits, nicks, repairs, restorations, rubbing, scuffs, scratches, stains, utensil marks, water marks, and so on.  I challenge sellers to provide accurate descriptions.  Not only do honest, accurate, and complete descriptions increase sales, they ensure a positive buying & selling experience, which sustains & promotes the amazing opportunities powered by eBay.