GRADING FOR 2ND HAND (PRE-LOVED, USED, RECYCLED) PRODUCTS...
Disclaimer:
Here at MINT MUSIC we endeavor to grade all our goods fairly and conservatively. Our items are graded from GOOD to EXCELLENT condition. All second hand goods are given grades for both the cover and the disc. Again, click on the individual item for a detailed description of the condition of the product.
While our system is adapted from existing models, our terminology maybe little bit different. We try to be as consistent as possible but grading isn't an exact science. If you have any questions regarding condition of used items, please give us a call or send us a message.
Please see the following descriptions for further details:
Mint (M) *NEW*
Vinyl
Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed. Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.
CD
Perfect. No scuffs/scratches, un-played - possibly still sealed.
Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak: Perfect. No wear, marks, or any other imperfections - possibly still sealed.
Cassette
J-Card is crisp, clean and perfect in every way. Likely sealed. Cassette is brand new, and professionally produced. Used sparingly as a grade, should be free of even the slightest blemishes and/or defects. This grade should be used sparingly, if at all.
Excellent (EX)
Vinyl
A nearly perfect record. A Excellent record has more than likely never been played, and the vinyl will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback. The record should show no obvious signs of wear. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as any sign of slight handling. An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits, cutGRADING FOR 2ND HAND (PRE-LOVED, USED, RECYCLED) PRODUCTS...
Disclaimer:
Here at MINT MUSIC we endeavour to grade all our goods fairly and conservatively. Our items are graded from GOOD to EXCELLENT condition. All second hand goods are given grades for both the cover and the disc. Again, click on the individual item for a detailed description of the con-out holes, or other noticeable similar defects. The same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, etc.
CD
Near perfect. No obvious signs of use, it may have been played - but it has been handled very carefully.
Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak: Near Perfect. No obvious wear, it may have only the slightest of marks from handling.
Cassette
Sleeve should be totally crisp and clean with only the slightest evidence of handling. Tape is likely new, free of any wear or damage.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
Vinyl
A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Defects should be more of a cosmetic nature, not affecting the actual playback as a whole. Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK". The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. Spindle marks may be present. Picture sleeves and inner sleeves will have some slight wear, slightly turned-up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear, and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation, or cut corner.
CD
A few minor scuffs/scratches. This has been played, but handled with good care - and certainly not abused.
Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak: Slight wear, marks, indentations, it may possibly have a cut-out hole (or similar).
Cassette
Sleeve has slight wear, marks, indentations, and/or may possibly have a cut-out hole (or similar). Tape has been taken very good care of and may have light marks or spindle wear. Should play cleanly with minimal noise or degradation.
Very Good (VG)
Vinyl
Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time.
CD
Quite a few light scuffs/scratches, or several more-pronounced scratches. This has obviously been played, but not handled as carefully as a VG+.
Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak: More wear, marks, indentations than a VG+. May have slight fading, a small tear/rip, or some writing.
Cassette
Sleeve will contain more wear, marks, and/or indentations than a VG+. May have slight fading, a small tear/rip, or some writing. Shell may have heavier marks and wear than VG including plastic discoloration. Should play with some stronger hiss or degradation, but not enough to overpower music.
Good (G), Good Plus (G+)
Vinyl
A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be played through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise, scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will be present. While the record will be playable without skipping, noticeable surface noise and "ticks" will almost certainly accompany the playback.
CD
There are a lot of scuffs/scratches. However it will still play through without problems. This has not been handled with much care at all.
Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak: Well worn, marked, more obvious indentations, fading, writing, than a VG - possibly a more significant tear/rip.
Cassette
Sleeve will be well worn, marked, and contain obvious indentations, fading, and/or writing, more so than a VG grade - possibly a more significant tear/rip. Tape will have heavy wear on shell. Felt stopper may be missing. Tape may have minor creasing, but not broken. Must play through, may have heavier degradation that will overpower music.
NOTES
CD Cases are not graded as they are replaceable.
GENERIC Within the context of grading items at MINT MUSIC, the term "generic" refers to a type of sleeve that is not specific to the release. A generic sleeve is either a plain sleeve or a company sleeve with standard company artwork.
All Pre-loved Records, Vinyl, Lps, are Cleaned / New Inner Sleeves and Protective Outer Sleeves.
All Pre-loved CDS and DVDS are cleaned and re-cased.
PHOTOS/PICTURES Images may not be an exact depiction of the actual item in stock.
BOOKS All our second hand books are in GOOD to EXCELLENT condition unless otherwise stated.
DVD / BLURAY REGION ZONES
You need to check whether your media player has any region or zone restrictions. If it does, then the following codes identify discs that are compatible with the players typically sold in that region.
DVD Region Countries
Region 1 U.S., U.S. Territories, Canada, and Bermuda
Region 2 Japan, Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East, including Egypt
Region 3 Southeast Asia, East Asia, including Hong Kong
Region 4 Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean
Region 5 Eastern Europe, Baltic States, Russia, Central and South Asia, Indian subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, and Mongolia
Region 6 China
Blu-ray Region Countries
Region A / 1 North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia
Region B / 2 Europe, Greenland, French territories, Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand
Region C / 3 India, Nepal, Mainland China, Russia, Central and South Asia