Do you consider these chips mint? (2 Viewers)

[doublebooyah85]

I bought some NAGB chips and they were warped. Then I traded them, the other buyer noticed them I didn’t. I took them back.

Now I need to get them flattened.

Sooo. I ran into a similar experience as you and I got the shaft, but I think once you flatten and level them it’s a non issue.

 

[Josh Kifer]

Chips are no longer "mint" once they are played with, their labels are removed (which was known), there is any damage (like a flea bite), or they have had any work done on them, including simply lightly oiling them. If the only issue is them being wobbly/warped, that can be easily fixed for less than taking a $400 hit. That could have also simply happened in transit due to something like heat.

Beyond that, it's hard to comment without knowing more or hearing the other side. I try to avoid the term mint unless there's really no other way to describe them.

This. If it's murdered, it's not mint IMO.

 

[Josh Kifer]

I bought some NAGB chips and they were warped. Then I traded them, the other buyer noticed them I didn’t. I took them back.

Now I need to get them flattened.

Sooo. I ran into a similar experience as you and I got the shaft, but I think once you flatten and level them it’s a non issue.

I'm starting flattening at KMCo in a few weeks. Waiting on my racks from 3D3P, but got everything else.

 

[mcguiles]

I'm starting flattening at KMCo in a few weeks. Waiting on my racks from 3D3P, but got everything else.

I saw that and I’ll be reaching out for these chips. they definitely need some work to be next to brand-new RPC chips

 

[Thomacetti]

I saw that and I’ll be reaching out for these chips. they definitely need some work to be next to brand-new RPC chips

Besides the deal going sour...I wouldn't worry to much about the end result.
These are very nice chips (ES quarters) and after a spa treatment at KMCo they will be on par with the RPC chips...100%

 

[jr8719]

A lot of sense being talked in this thread this far, so I'll try to add to it with some more: PEOPLE NEED TO TAKE MORE TIME TO TAKE BETTER PHOTOS.

I wouldn't be averse to a photo guideline resource being introduced, with that in mind. If selling chips in quantity, this is the only angle that suffices, in my opinion, as it clearly shows the details such as edge condition in depth.

From certain angles, the above chips could have been made to look in much better condition than they actually are. You don't need to be an expert photographer and using this angle takes little effort — but it makes a huge difference when it comes to transparency for both seller and buyer.

 

[grantc54]

This is purely subjective, but in my experience it seems that the inlay provides a level of rigidity to some chips.

I noticed this befote when removing the inlay on some chips but again, could be I just didnt notice the warpage before, and it was very slight.

And yes, as noted, the use of vgc and mint is very overused on this site. Many cases of chips obviously not mint, i have considered commenting but I dont think it is allowed.

Thanks
Grant

 

[jr8719]

This is purely subjective, but in my experience it seems that the inlay provides a level of rigidity to some chips.

I noticed this befote when removing the inlay on some chips but again, could be I just didnt notice the warpage before, and it was very slight.

And yes, as noted, the use of vgc and mint is very overused on this site. Many cases of chips obviously not mint, i have considered commenting but I dont think it is allowed.

Thanks
Grant

I was today years old when I found out you couldn't comment on such matters. Seems stringent to me.

 

[grantc54]

I was today years old when I found out you couldn't comment on such matters. Seems stringent to me.

I could be wrong, I am referring to commenting in sales threads on chips being sold.

 

[upNdown]

This is purely subjective, but in my experience it seems that the inlay provides a level of rigidity to some chips.

I noticed this befote when removing the inlay on some chips but again, could be I just didnt notice the warpage before, and it was very slight.

The obvious conclusion is NEVER MURDER CHIPS!
I love this. I have a new mantra. Inlays equal strength!

 

[Ben8257]

If the chips aren't in the unopened, original packaging from the manufacturer, they aren't mint. After passing through several owners and several repackaging and sales even less so.

Our hobby makes a mockery of the concept of "mint". So much so that the term loses all meaning. Buyers need to be acutely aware of what they are paying for and basically agree to take the chips as is.

The original poster is clearly on notice these chips aren't mint no matter what the seller said. The have been "murdered". Whatever processes were used to remove the inlay is going to damage the chip. What exactly was the expectation?

I have no idea if any fault has happened or who might be to blame. The seller spews meaningless garbage if he/she used the word mint. But the buyer is obviously on notice the chips can't be mint. I appreciate the buyer isn't happy. But I can't tell if the seller did anything misleading beyond making up the mint condition of the chip.

DrStrange

But honestly Scott, straight up... rather than beating around the bush about condition "murdered chips can not be mint" I get your point completely. But the issue is warpage. It absolutely had to be obvious to the seller these chips were warped! They absolutely did not get that bad in a couple days in the mail... sorry.

We constantly try to see both sides but even if this wasn't known by the seller, should he not take them back if the buyer feels the listing was not honest? Even if it was in total honesty, being completely oblivious should be acceptable behavior?

I mean technically "mint" to many people around here means basically "untouched" so how the hell would the seller know if they were warped or not... if they didn't touch them?

I saw that and I’ll be reaching out for these chips. they definitely need some work to be next to brand-new RPC chips

For the record there should be zero wobble to those brand new chips .. I guess let's blame shipping again. Hate to tell you folks but they come from Mexico... it's warm there too!

So what do we do... ask the seller if they are warped, make them share a video tapping the barrel. Shut up push it under the rug and pick a dudes words apart about the authenticates of how the conversation evolved with the seller and try to discredit them for any possible bits of inconsistencies??

Easier to accuse them of lying than dealing with the issues? Shouldn't we just find out if the seller is a veteran first? I mean this buyer has only been around 4 years... pretty damn easy to write off any claims especially with verbiage inconsistencies if the seller has more tenyard here in the hobby. Then we should really get the pitch forks out boys and gals!!

Buyer offered to send them back and a loss that they absolutely should not have to eat! Seller had no response... of course God forbid maybe they are sick, you know other things carry more importance than chips! How many years have they been in the hobby, should we not allow 1 additional week to respond per year of membership?? Seller should get back to you again in the next 5 - 6 weeks bro... again he has a life too!

But really should their not be a return policy if you are not happy, feel someone was not truthful with their products being sold? Should a buyer be stuck with something he is not happy with? Should the loss be absorbed by both parties (shipping/packing costs?) If not should the seller simply relist the chips and sell them again (and continue to not mention the issues the chips have... I mean hell... eventually someone that knows how to fix it will buy em right? It's inevitable if they keep changing hands... right??)

The buyer in no way called out anyone! He wanted an opinion on a issue with "poker chips" that is he spent a lot of money on and is upset with what he recieved. Is this not a "poker chip forum" to discuss issues revolving around poker chips?

Or have I been wrong this whole time and it's just a place to posts funny memes between middle aged men, that have absolutely nothing to do with the hobby we enjoy? Maybe I didn't understand this place at all.... sad really... I'm personally ok with a mix of both, but I enjoy learning and experiencing others journeys in this crazy hobby together.

Sorry fam, I am obviously very passionate about the warpage issues and feel that here on the Eve of my 3rd year anniversary in the hobby that I have earned enough respect to be honest.

 

[WhiteMamba1646]

This is purely subjective, but in my experience it seems that the inlay provides a level of rigidity to some chips.

I noticed this befote when removing the inlay on some chips but again, could be I just didnt notice the warpage before, and it was very slight.

And yes, as noted, the use of vgc and mint is very overused on this site. Many cases of chips obviously not mint, i have considered commenting but I dont think it is allowed.

Thanks
Grant

This is very accurate. Murdered chips have a bigger tendency to warp specially with certain colors. Any bright colors and alot of blues too. Ive had this experience with some of my sets.

 

[FordPickup92]

So in my opinion chips with the label removed should not be considered mint, but removing the label should also not cause warping.
*upon reading some other posts, it appears that other members have experienced warping issues post inlay removal*
Unless someone seriously uses a heating methond to remove labels. I have flattened warped chips and removed labels after which makes the process easier from my experience, but if they were flattened they most definitely should not be labeled mint. Also they shouldn't wobble like that if they had been flattened correctly.
Either way, myself and Ben have had numerous conversations with folks about warped chips, how it happens, how you fix it etc. Many times it is more prominent of an issue than one would think.
I would also add a few things here - removing the labels could cause some gap issues between the chips as there is no longer a flush surface in the center. I have not tried tapping a murdered barrel of *"mint"* chips for comparison to solidify this. I did murder Jack cincy 25s that were already warped and had the same wobble with/with out inlays.
Another point I'd like to add is that if there had been pictures of the chips in a box or rack you should be able to see some gaps, albeit slight in between the chips. The pictures shown by the OP regarding the original sale would not show these gaps without the correct amount of lighting directly behind the stacks *and the correct angle.
Whether the seller was aware of the condition or not, they should at the very least be open to discussing the situation if the buyer is unhappy with them. I understand this is not a protocol on the forum, but most members are willing to work with eachother. I do understand that folks need time to respond as we've all seen that arguement time and time again, but the lack there of raises an eyebrow. (I did not read through the comments so I have no idea what time frame we are working with)

Regardless, it does not appear to me that the OP was in anyway trying to throw someone under the bus, rather gather input from the community about the chips in question and what steps an individual would take next.
Again, just a personal opinion here, but I think I would be asking some questions and conversing with the seller regarding the condition. I would most definitely not be OK with that amount of wobble/warping, if it was not pre disclosed.
And yes they can be fixed, some people are all for flattening chips, others are not a fan. However, that responsibility should not unknowingly fall on a buyer.

Also fwiw, I caught tidbits about is this a mailing or packaging issue and I'm going to go with no. Could potential damage occur to a few of the chips, sure, but to have them all be that way would take either an extreme change in temperature very abruptly (even so not as likely to occur or to impact all the chips) or a very prolonged travel period, more than a 3 to 7 day window that chips usually travel. I've had broken chips in the mail before, with and without proper packaging, but never warped racks (caused only by mail travel time)

 

[upNdown]

But really should their not be a return policy if you are not happy, feel someone was not truthful with their products being sold?

Maybe some of us can come together and agree to a higher set of standards, when it comes to buying and selling. And if you tell others that you are a +level seller or whatever, then you agree to certain things, like off the top of my head, you'd provide a phone number for quick communication, you'd agree to a return policy where buyer and seller split the return shipping, maybe there's an arbitration clause - stuff like that.

 

[megarises]

I'd be interested in buying 100 of these if you are wanting to move on from them. Depending on several factors, of course.

 

[FordPickup92]

This is very accurate. Murdered chips have a bigger tendency to warp specially with certain colors. Any bright colors and alot of blues too. Ive had this experience with some of my sets.

Out of curiosity I grabbed some casino used RHC chips that I bought awhile back. Some were already murdered, some are still original both have warping. The murdered barrel does have a bit more wobble than the other barrels, but it is slight

 

[MrCatPants]

Out of curiosity I grabbed some casino used RHC chips that I bought awhile back. Some were already murdered, some are still original both have warping. The murdered barrel does have a bit more wobble than the other barrels, but it is slight

I was wondering if this is a mold by mold issue. Only had warped THCs...but haven't owned many RHCs.

 

[dkellerd]

Is a warped chip, fresh from the factory, considered mint? Or is that term only allowed for unwarped, factory fresh chips?

And a term that I use for my minty types of used chips is ‘like new’…tis more honest than mint.

 

[XBobdog]

Is a warped chip, fresh from the factory, considered mint? Or is that term only allowed for unwarped, factory fresh chips?

And a term that I use for my minty types of used chips is ‘like new’…tis more honest than mint.

I would say no.

Mint means perfect. Even if unused, if there is an imperfection caused by age, storage or anything, the chip is not mint.

Maybe some of us can come together and agree to a higher set of standards, when it comes to buying and selling. And if you tell others that you are a +level seller or whatever, then you agree to certain things, like off the top of my head, you'd provide a phone number for quick communication, you'd agree to a return policy where buyer and seller split the return shipping, maybe there's an arbitration clause - stuff like that.

I would support this. If I sold chips and the buyer notified me of an error I had made. I would take the return. Absolutely.

 

[Chipandchair]

Angry Ben Book warning... it's been a while, Ye Bee Warned!! Lol

I have been fighting this fight since the begining of my time in this hobby. I recieved a barrel of chips described as "mint" and they were 5 times worse than that... some were flat out banana chips! I absolutely HATE that almost no one ever mentions the flatness of the chips.

I say this in all seriousness, over 70% of all clay chips that have ever come to my house have had some degree of warpage issue but almost never mentioned! I spend hours flattening chips then people say "well it should be mentioned that you have flattened the chips!" So that should be mentioned but not the fact that you are selling warped chips to begin with.

The forum defended the seller of that awful barrel that I purchased on eBay because it was a vendor here. I was told "that is just the way it is and accept it!"

Recently I saw a set sell that I had played and knew they were warped and no mention of them in the listing of being "Mint!"

Take 10 seconds, grab any clay barrel, sit it on a hardwood or granite counter top and tap the top edge, if they move AT ALL, I mean even in the slightest... you have warped chips in that barrel. The newer, the lighter and the brighter the chips are, the more prevalent it seems to be!

While typing this I picked up the 43mm Grand casino chips. The secondary 25k is supposed to be brand new... it's warped to sh*t

Change the order and hold them up to the light.. what do you know the sec $1k is warped
View attachment 916705
It is almost impossible to show multiple gaps of light in a single picture from a barrel. Grab a chip set it on a flat surface and tap the top... most clay chips are warped even leaded THC, but typically less than these cheaper chips.

I recently bought a 944 chip set of FOC BCC, typically BCC doesn't have these issues but every single chip in the set was warped! It took me almost 2 months of flattening to get them close, every single day and absolutely no mention of the fact that some chips were difficult to fit 19 chips per barrel, yeah that warped!

I didn't get any level woth the face pictures but look at the height differences across this set. The chips are all near mint, no wear but look at the tops of the barrels, especially obvious from the $5s to the $25s... look at the shadows and height differences, they should all be the same.
View attachment 916718
I did snap this lovely shot
View attachment 916719
And BCCs are much more dense than Paulson. It takes multiple heating sessions for longer times to get them to move at all! It was terrible!! Are you telling me the seller had "no clue" these were warped. You could blow on them and they would wobble all over the place, literally made me sick and wanted to blow up on that guy, seri2 months to get them close flattening chips for 6 - 8 hours every damn day!

It's taboo to talk about so shhh!! You will get PM hate mail. This was bought from another vendor here
View attachment 916721
For a premium price and again no mention of any warpage.

Got in a fight with a CCGT member on eBay, valued member runs some Colorado branch of the club. He said both sides shown which was a lie... same pic twice and wasn't even the same chip. Had all the proof, went to Spragg about it and nothing done. Asshole even tried to tell me it was worth more because warped chips are rare!
View attachment 916724
Warped so bad the inlay was popping out!
View attachment 916725
Not to mention the chip was dog Sh*t! Compared to the picture shown.
View attachment 916726
Told me he didn't have time to take pictures of every chip... even though that is exactly how the listing read. Told me everyone does that, they use generic scans. He offered a refund if I sent the chip back. Why should I take the time to package, my money to ship, when you are being totally fraudulent. So what get my $10 back so you can force this on some other non knowing poor soul? Told him enjoy my $10 and kept the chip... still have it today!

Think AS NAGB are exempt?
View attachment 916731
Absolutely not!

Don't worry folks.. in a couple days this will get pushed back under the rug until someone brings it up again.

It is mostly fixable if you know what you are doing and are careful. Most get inpatient and want faster ways and wind up squishing chips (makes an indentation around the ring of the chip)

But some of us have learned the art of fixing these poor souls. Before
View attachment 916733
After (left two barrels)
View attachment 916735
Btw with time they start warping again, same chips today about 5 months later
View attachment 916737
The chips I flattened are on the left still and top 3 of the middle barrel. That took about 3 weeks to flatten 25 chips. If I did it again maybe they would stay a little flatter, this is an extreme example but shows well in pics. It can be done but extremely labor intensive and time consuming!

Keep up the fight of full transparency on chips. I absolutely think sharing the video and NOT calling out the seller shows a lot of class @mcguiles .. I would be pissed too! But know this happens all the time and is not discussed. 10 people will now likely send me a PM about flattening chips, it happens every time I talk about it. There is definitely not enough money to be made/damage risk to take that on for others. My oven would be running for hours every day!

BTW expect the same response from every single seller "they weren't like that when I had them... must have happened in shipping!" Ask me how I know

Edit** one more just for Poops and Giggles... how about brand spanking new out the box from Paulson RPCs
View attachment 916743
Literally brand new 43mm IHCs . They ain't cheap either!

You need to start a warped chip pron thread Ben

 

[WhiteMamba1646]

Out of curiosity I grabbed some casino used RHC chips that I bought awhile back. Some were already murdered, some are still original both have warping. The murdered barrel does have a bit more wobble than the other barrels, but it is slight

I was referring to my THC chips that i own, but it may have nothing to do with the murder but maybe just the colors, i know blaze, radiant, indian blue, horizon blue all have warping issues. Whether its heat issues, murder issues im not sure but those r definitely prone to that, at least with mine.

 

[TheBigTater]

The chips in the OP can't be considered mint when altered in any way/inlay removed/overlabeled. People need to quit using terms such as mint, excellent, VG, etc... and show pictured of the actual chips in the actual condition. Let people make their decision based on that. And if you can't get good pics to satisfy yourself them pass on buying. But obviously those Blue chips have suffered some other heat/storage event that have warped them to an extreme.

Also, hate to burst a lot of your bubbles but many "mint" chips right off the production line come out warped all the time so if you are expecting brand new chips to never be warped you are in dream land.

 

[TheDuke]

Angry Ben Book warning... it's been a while, Ye Bee Warned!! Lol

I have been fighting this fight since the begining of my time in this hobby. I recieved a barrel of chips described as "mint" and they were 5 times worse than that... some were flat out banana chips! I absolutely HATE that almost no one ever mentions the flatness of the chips.

I say this in all seriousness, over 70% of all clay chips that have ever come to my house have had some degree of warpage issue but almost never mentioned! I spend hours flattening chips then people say "well it should be mentioned that you have flattened the chips!" So that should be mentioned but not the fact that you are selling warped chips to begin with.

The forum defended the seller of that awful barrel that I purchased on eBay because it was a vendor here. I was told "that is just the way it is and accept it!"

Recently I saw a set sell that I had played and knew they were warped and no mention of them in the listing of being "Mint!"

Take 10 seconds, grab any clay barrel, sit it on a hardwood or granite counter top and tap the top edge, if they move AT ALL, I mean even in the slightest... you have warped chips in that barrel. The newer, the lighter and the brighter the chips are, the more prevalent it seems to be!

While typing this I picked up the 43mm Grand casino chips. The secondary 25k is supposed to be brand new... it's warped to sh*t

Change the order and hold them up to the light.. what do you know the sec $1k is warped
View attachment 916705
It is almost impossible to show multiple gaps of light in a single picture from a barrel. Grab a chip set it on a flat surface and tap the top... most clay chips are warped even leaded THC, but typically less than these cheaper chips.

I recently bought a 944 chip set of FOC BCC, typically BCC doesn't have these issues but every single chip in the set was warped! It took me almost 2 months of flattening to get them close, every single day and absolutely no mention of the fact that some chips were difficult to fit 19 chips per barrel, yeah that warped!

I didn't get any level woth the face pictures but look at the height differences across this set. The chips are all near mint, no wear but look at the tops of the barrels, especially obvious from the $5s to the $25s... look at the shadows and height differences, they should all be the same.
View attachment 916718
I did snap this lovely shot
View attachment 916719
And BCCs are much more dense than Paulson. It takes multiple heating sessions for longer times to get them to move at all! It was terrible!! Are you telling me the seller had "no clue" these were warped. You could blow on them and they would wobble all over the place, literally made me sick and wanted to blow up on that guy, seri2 months to get them close flattening chips for 6 - 8 hours every damn day!

It's taboo to talk about so shhh!! You will get PM hate mail. This was bought from another vendor here
View attachment 916721
For a premium price and again no mention of any warpage.

Got in a fight with a CCGT member on eBay, valued member runs some Colorado branch of the club. He said both sides shown which was a lie... same pic twice and wasn't even the same chip. Had all the proof, went to Spragg about it and nothing done. Asshole even tried to tell me it was worth more because warped chips are rare!
View attachment 916724
Warped so bad the inlay was popping out!
View attachment 916725
Not to mention the chip was dog Sh*t! Compared to the picture shown.
View attachment 916726
Told me he didn't have time to take pictures of every chip... even though that is exactly how the listing read. Told me everyone does that, they use generic scans. He offered a refund if I sent the chip back. Why should I take the time to package, my money to ship, when you are being totally fraudulent. So what get my $10 back so you can force this on some other non knowing poor soul? Told him enjoy my $10 and kept the chip... still have it today!

Think AS NAGB are exempt?
View attachment 916731
Absolutely not!

Don't worry folks.. in a couple days this will get pushed back under the rug until someone brings it up again.

It is mostly fixable if you know what you are doing and are careful. Most get inpatient and want faster ways and wind up squishing chips (makes an indentation around the ring of the chip)

But some of us have learned the art of fixing these poor souls. Before
View attachment 916733
After (left two barrels)
View attachment 916735
Btw with time they start warping again, same chips today about 5 months later
View attachment 916737
The chips I flattened are on the left still and top 3 of the middle barrel. That took about 3 weeks to flatten 25 chips. If I did it again maybe they would stay a little flatter, this is an extreme example but shows well in pics. It can be done but extremely labor intensive and time consuming!

Keep up the fight of full transparency on chips. I absolutely think sharing the video and NOT calling out the seller shows a lot of class @mcguiles .. I would be pissed too! But know this happens all the time and is not discussed. 10 people will now likely send me a PM about flattening chips, it happens every time I talk about it. There is definitely not enough money to be made/damage risk to take that on for others. My oven would be running for hours every day!

BTW expect the same response from every single seller "they weren't like that when I had them... must have happened in shipping!" Ask me how I know

Edit** one more just for Poops and Giggles... how about brand spanking new out the box from Paulson RPCs
View attachment 916743
Literally brand new 43mm IHCs . They ain't cheap either!

Just need to correct you on a point about warped chips and BCC.

Warped chips from BCC weren't the exception, it was actually quite prevalent. In fact, most CTers considered BCC as a second rate product back in the day because of spinners and other issues (oblong inlays, etc.). I think it would be very difficult to find a single BCC set that is completely flat. Perhaps maybe a tmold set - as that mold seemed to have very flat chips. My MGK set was 95% flat. My hotstamped flame mold set had 30-40% spinners. GCRs had alot of spinners (hotstamped flame mold). To the owners (Endy family), warping/spinners were normal and within manufacturing tolerances. The only people who were picky and insisted on flat chips were us (per the owners who mainly dealt with casinos). I think the level of perfection expected by us drove BCC to increase order sizes (min order was jacked up to 5k chips) and then completely stop small non-casino orders before closing up shop.

I'm definitely on the same page as you. Warped chips suck and people not being open and honest about the condition of the chips they're selling is complete bulls hit. But I don't think it's reasonable to assume 100% of chips should be completely flat. I think your factory fresh chips point to that. They shouldn't be a leaning tower of Pisa, but some amount of daylight between chips is 'normal'. If chips are especially bad (to the point of rocking back and forth at a slight touch), it should 100% be disclosed beforehand. Not disclosing is scumbag behaviour. Not how you should treat a fellow chipper in a community.

 

[mcguiles]

i really appreciate all the feedback and information shared. i’m not the most knowledgeable chipper, i just love Paulsons and now have become obsessed with THCs.

i’ll likely send them to the @Josh Kifer spa sometime soon.

i’m not throwing anyone under the bus as who knows really what happened. i just don’t think the transaction was fair imho. i’ll be keeping them.

side note, do you think those work well as $1 next to the RPC $5

thanks everyone!

 

[Erich Wise]

I was totally expecting to be rick rolled

 

[PocketAces]

I own a bunch of RPC chips. Some barrels have warping issues (it will be caused by one or two chips). I’m sure they were like that when they left the factory. I don’t mind to be honest, love all my chips equally I think expecting 0% warping when buying new chips is unrealistic.

Now back to the definition of mint…we use the term quite loosely around here but if we are looking for a generally accepted definition, a good point of comparison is what trading cards graders accept as mint. For example PSA accepts slight printing imperfection on mint cards. I understand the term as « unaltered, unused » or « as it was when it left the production line ». I doubt warping happens over short transit periods but maybe I’m wrong…

 

[ovo]

Mint, most of the chips sold on this site, especially the older ones, are not mint. The only way you would know they are mint, is if you bought them from the manufacturer directly. With with each successive transaction between traders the chances that they are still mint go down. Sure, experienced traders can look at chips and feel pretty good about their mint status, but unless you are the original buyer from the manufacturer , then who knows .

 

[allforcharity]

Just about nothing here is truly mint, because once it's been handled, they aren't. The closest thing I can think of is the Jack Detroit purchase, which were never even shipped to the customer, and only very lightly handled before actual sale.
Chips can also be unplayed but still not mint, not because of excessive handling but because of less than ideal storage issues, like the BJ Big Easy haul a little bit ago.

 

[MrCatPants]

Just about nothing here is truly mint, because once it's been handled, they aren't. The closest thing I can think of is the Jack Detroit purchase, which were never even shipped to the customer, and only very lightly handled before actual sale.
Chips can also be unplayed but still not mint, not because of excessive handling but because of less than ideal storage issues, like the BJ Big Easy haul a little bit ago.

Imperfect production, too - kinda like baseball cards can be cut poorly or off center - chips can be warped, or if we really want to get technical have wonky spots or inlay placements. I think mint should really be more "unplayed" or something similar versus a condition grading word.

 

[raynmanas]

Imperfect production, too - kinda like baseball cards can be cut poorly or off center - chips can be warped, or if we really want to get technical have wonky spots or inlay placements. I think mint should really be more "unplayed" or something similar versus a condition grading word.

yeah. chips straight from the factory that have never even been taken out of the box can be wobbly like this. if they were warped in manufacturing, are they not mint? my opinion is that if the wobble is the only issue, they are as "mint" as colloquially understood here (sharp edges, never felted).

luckily flattening them is really easy, and a task i don't mind taking on (despite the weird looks from my wife).