[meteorite-list] Bogus Specimens, IMCA membership, and honesty issues.

Mon May 9 17:25:53 EDT 2011

Hi List. Again for those Newbie Collectors and those who just want a 
refresher course on understanding the in and outs and do's and don'ts of 
collecting meteorites please check out my eBay Meteorite Info page on my 
Website. (Link Below) Even though this page uses eBay as a pathway to 
collecting meteorites it is also intended to make aware any collector of 
meteorites, a way to protect yourself and monies when purchasing from any 
Seller be it a Dealer or the "Weekend type Seller" This page was created 
from my years of experience of collecting and selling meteorites and the 
harsh lessons and mistakes I made along the way. There is something anyone 
can learn or be reminded of on this page. Since we do not live in a perfect 
world, mistakes do happen in Selling/Buying meteorites amongst Buyers and 
Sellers. There is a difference between a mistake and a deliberate fraud. The 
best defense is a great offence...educate yourself on who you deal with and 
ALWAYS ask questions if concerned about a certain specimen or Seller/Dealer. 
My Motto I use when buying meteorites is ...."If there is a single doubt, I 
the Buyer will bow out".

eBay Meteorite Info page- 
http://www.ctreasurescwonders.com/ebay_meteorite_info_b.html

Thank you.
Sincerely Don Merchant
Founder-Cosmic Treasures Celestial Wonders
http://www.ctreasurescwonders.com/index.html
IMCA #0960
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Galactic Stone & Ironworks" <meteoritemike at gmail.com>
To: <warnerem at astro.umd.edu>
Cc: "Meteorite-List" <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 8:49 AM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Bogus Specimens, IMCA membership,and honesty 
issues.

> Hi Elizabeth and List,
>
> Before I say anything - everyone here should thank Jason Utas for
> investigating and exposing this fraud on his own time with his own
> money.  He did not have to do that, but he did so because he cares
> about meteorites and honor.  Microprobe results do not lie.  My hat is
> off to you sir.
>
> A seller's reputation and a man/woman's word has nothing to do with
> what groups they join, clubs they frequent, or mailing lists they are
> a member of.  Reputation is something that is built up over time
> through deeds and through personal interaction with others.  Honesty
> is an attribute that comes from within a person and it speaks of their
> character.  No group, clique, club, or fraternity can bestow honesty
> upon a person by association
>
> To rely on a group endorsement is folly - I have known a couple of
> MENSA members who didn't have the common sense to come in from the
> rain.  And I have seen a few IMCA members who I wouldn't trust any
> further than I can throw.  Having said that, like Jason Utas said - I
> am thankful that the IMCA exists because it is better than no
> oversight at all.
> .
> As with every collectible - buyer beware, investigate your seller
> (beyond looking for a nifty GIF on a website), and do your homework on
> the subject matter.
>
> I don't have to post my entire chain of provenance for each specimen
> on my website because how I conduct my business and who I conduct it
> with is not a matter of public record for anyone to see - it is
> confidential between me, my sources, and my clients.  That information
> is available to my clients, not search engine spiders.  And if anyone
> out there suggests there is something shady about not sharing
> provenance information with the entire world (including non-clients
> who have nothing to do with a given specimen), I suggest they run
> their own business and be concerned with their own house of
> (specimen)cards.
>
> The events in question do not involve me.  I purchase all of my
> specimens from people I trust and not based on a string of
> alpha-numeric characters tacked onto an email signature.  My trust has
> never been violated (*knock on wood*), because I carefully select and
> vett my sources.
>
> Also, if any client or trading partner of mine ever wants to know
> exactly where I acquired a specimen - ask me privately and I will be
> happy to share that information.
>
> And yes - I checked my records and my sources carefully when this
> drama broke out - the few pieces of Mifflin (mostly micro crumbs) that
> I have offered in the past, are all bona-fide Mifflin, without
> exception.  They were not acquired directly or indirectly from the
> questionable sources at the heart of this clusterphuck.
>
> If you purchased Mifflin from me, it is indeed Mifflin.  If you
> purchased A, B, C, or D, from me, it is indeed A, B, C, or D.
>
> Best regards,
>
> MikeG
>
> PS - if the IMCA has a "black list" of dealers who are not to be
> trusted, I suggest they share that list with all other dealers,
> including non-IMCA members.  To keep such a list secret is
> irresponsible and detrimental to the integrity of the meteorite market
> as a whole.
>
> PSS - all too often, the meteorite market is a good-ole boys (and
> girls) affair that involves a lot of whispered tones, nudges, and
> winks.  This is not good for anyone, and this Mifflin affair is proof
> positive of that.  Again, I commend Jason for going public with his
> findings because that is the right and honorable thing to do.
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Galactic Stone & Ironworks - Meteorites & Amber
>
> Website - http://www.galactic-stone.com
> Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone
> News Feed - http://www.galactic-stone.com/rss/126516
> Twitter - http://twitter.com/galacticstone
> EOM - http://www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com/collection.aspx?id=1564
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
> On 5/9/11, Elizabeth Warner <ewarner at umd.edu> wrote:
>> If IMCA is supposed to be for collectors, how does being an IMCA member
>> help with selling?? Shouldn't there be an IMSA then??
>>
>> However, as I read through the IMCA website, it is more about
>> selling/trading...
>>
>> I collect only, but it doesn't look like I would be able to join since I
>> don't sell which seems odd since IMCA in it's description says it is
>> about COLLECTING...
>>
>>
>> I really have nothing against IMCA, but as a 'newbie' it is very
>> confusing. I have been on this list since early 2010, I've bought some
>> slices, etc from both IMCA and non-IMCA sellers (but mostly IMCA)...
>>
>> Anyone should be able to join IMCA, but sellers/traders should then have
>> the specially vetted badge showing that they follow the
>> values/standards/ideals stated by IMCA.
>>
>>
>> Clear Skies!
>> Elizabeth
>>
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>
>
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