[meteorite-list] I am home from Tokyo

[Michael L Blood]

Hi Doug,
        It certainly looks like a clear cut example of relating to other
dealers as "competition" instead of colleagues.
        It has been well known in the gas business and in the shoe business,
and many other businesses, that if another dealer opens right next to
you or across from you at an intersection business actually INCREASES.
Even more so, if a third dealer  comes in.
        The theory is that buyers then think of that area as the place to
get gas or shoes - or meteorites. However, some dealers still relate to
other dealers as "competition," and some, obviously, then go about
doing whatever it takes - regardless of the cost to the other dealer, to
eliminate them. I believe it is referred to as "territorial." The irony is
it doesn't really benefit the one(s) being territorial.
--
        As for the fine fellow from So. America at the Tucson Auction - I,
too was very disappointed with the  situation. I had run into him the
day before and he told me he had "A Campo" (a huge one) he wanted
to put in the auction. I told him he was most welcome and stressed
strongly that the earlier he got it there, the better, as people would
have time to look at it and consider what they were willing to pay.
    I said 5:30 or 6 would be best, but definitely no later than 7PM.  I do
know he spoke very little English and I speak no Spanish, but from
what he said, I was under the impression we were clear on all this,
as my wife is fluent in both and did a bit of translating where necessary.
Unfortunately, instead of one large Campo before 7PM, he showed up
with a dozen or so Campos about 7:23 PM - just a few minutes before
bidding was to begin.
        Now, to understand the process overall, here is how it was set up:
- People were invited to put specimens in the auction four months in
advance. 
- Items were accepted for the catalog up to about a week before the auction
- Announcements were made about a week before the auction that any
items other than what were in the catalog already would have to be submitted
for approval well in advance of the auction and that if people waited until
the last day, they would have to be well in advance of 7 PM and even then,
I would be severely limiting the number of items in order to keep the length
of the auction workable for most buyers and sellers (it starts getting
"long" after about 120 items - though individual super items will always be
accepted if they have a low or no minimum, as any and everyone would
prefer such items were available - and a single item is minimal paperwork
prior to beginning the auction. Paper work is essential to sane handling of
the items and money and NOTHING can be done without the paperwork.
It just isn't an option). This is the one area that has drawn the most
complaints about the auction over the years - "going too long."
- I had turned away several people who, after 7 PM had attempted to put
items in the auction.
        So, when the very nice gentleman from So. America showed up with
less than ten minutes to go before the auction and had dozens instead of
one item and there literally was not enough time to do the paperwork
even if I were willing to make an exception (which you can be sure would
have been strongly resented by everyone I had turned down!) I could not
have mechanically made it happen.
        I felt very badly, but I had been very clear the night before that
yes, there was always room for ONE more specimen - especially if it
were huge as he described and no minimum (or very low minimum - I can't
remember which) as he described and he showed up  before 7..... but that is
not when he showed up and not what he showed up with. Too bad - for him, for
me and for all the bidders. I would have gladly taken all of the specimens
he brought if he had showed up before 7, say  -  or I would even have taken
the 130Kg one he described - even at 4 minutes before auction time.....
but there was no way I could work with what he brought when he brought
it. The result was a loss for everyone concerned.
        So, now you have the rest of the story....
        Paul Harvey.....er, Michael




on 6/7/05 11:52 AM, MexicoDoug at aol.com at MexicoDoug at aol.com wrote:

> In the style of Commodore Matthew Perry, Cap'n Blood wrote the day  before
> the Tokyo news:
> 
>> that I have heard voice disdain
>> for people making a profit  in this business.
> 
> Michael, everyone deserves honest pay for honest work.  Lately I  have been
> agreeing with you more than anything else and many of the points you  make
> seem 
> very reasonable.  Please let's not burden collectors with the  collective
> blame of dealer's problems after hearing this from globetrotting  Farmer.
> 
> Separately, I hope it is on topic to ask what happened at the last People's
> Auction with the South American guy who was kicked out after he said he was
> authorized his display there and was practically set up, which was similar to
> the prior year?  It was my pleasure to help him break our backs with his
> heavy specimens (thinking it was being a good Samaritan) when I saw him
> struggling all by himself and so far from home while many others seemed
> oblivious.  He 
> did have excellent irons at superb pricing.  You can  imagine the dejection
> he felt, especially after smashing his thumb between two  big iron meteorites
> in the process, so far from home, as he had to then repack  them and haul his
> stuff out right back out with his tail between his legs.   I don't know the
> whole story, not even half, and I am sure there was good  reason, but it was a
> very pitiful sight?
> 
> The line between science,  comradery, enthusiasm, and cold commercialism has
> become far too arbitrary and  negotiable for my tastes.  Maybe you have a
> better answer than I can  see.  Part is due to everyone's justification of the
> trump card  "inalienable right to a profit" I am at a loss for more words,
> reading Mike's  account, imagining why this collusion was felt necessary.
> Frankly I 
> wish  everybody ran around with a suitcase filled with specimens for trade or
> sale  instead of aspiring to dominate each other and be the "Man".  But that
> might not be acceptable under the show or auction venue.  But, it'd be more
> intimate and leaves less room when the ugly face of the Stranger comes along
> among friends and leaves a wake of aggravation.  Sorry to hear of your
> obvious cold shower, Mike, and I wonder if Hans' kid had some appropriate
> english 
> words to sum up the costly adventure.  No doubt you will need to  raise some
> prices to cover yet another tangential "cost of doing  business".  That hurts
> everyone.  While this also is in the "food for  thought" category, any
> comments 
> are also appreciated..
> 
> Peace, Doug
> 

 
--
"You and I do not see things as they are. We see things as we are."
     -Herb Cohen
--
If a million people say a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing.