[meteorite-list] Excessively Large Reward a bad precedent.

[Meteorites USA]

My opinion is that it should not be publicized except through private 
channels, email, fax, and maybe local fliers. Or if you publish 
something in the paper or on local TV channels simply use the word 
REWARD! with no $ amount attached to it. It's all about marketing image 
and I understand that a $10K reward might be very enticing to those 
honest folks out there or the greedy people that just want the money but...

Has anyone ever thought of the repercussions if people start getting the 
idea that ALL meteorite hunters have money?! This could pose a safety 
risk for hunters in the field. Not all hunters have $10K to drop on a 
kilo of freshly fallen meteorites but if we continue to advertise tens 
of thousands of dollars for meteorites then people might get the wrong 
idea. Not too mention the other issue of landowners thinking they're not 
getting a fair price.

I agree with McCartney that there needs to be some sort of gentleman's 
agreement, not for the reward amount but that there not be a dollar 
amount posted at all. REWARD FOR METEORITES! is a sufficient phrase for 
use in the lead generation and helps in the protection of hunters and 
market prices of meteorite. It will minimize the pissed off landowners 
that think they might be taken advantage of, and will help preserve the 
value of the meteorites by not artificially inflating the price.

Just my opinion...

Regards,
Eric Wichman
Meteorites USA








McCartney Taylor wrote:
> A $5,000/kg or $10,000/kg reward for the first kg may be appropriate for
> most some falls.  But quickly the newspapers will drop the 'first kg'
> part and spread the value at $10/g.  There will also be unit errs and
> report the value at $10,000/lb.
>
> $20,000/kg is ludicrous.
>
> I think we, as a community, should make some kind of gentleman's
> agreement with the highest reward that should be offered.  Quickly, a
> point will be reached that will be counter-productive.
>
> http://www.wjbf.com/jbf/news/state_regional/georgia/article/meteorite_hunters_closing_in_on_georgia_fireball_reward_upped_to_20000/12165/
>
> -mt
>
>
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-- 
Regards,
Eric Wichman
Meteorites USA
http://www.meteoritesusa.com
904-236-5394