[meteorite-list] Chelyabinsk

[Mal Bishop]

Hi Linda, and Michael -

Did you bid or purchase from a seller(s) on eBay?  Did it happen to be 
either a seller called ".a.", or "jevgenijss"?  Besides Mike Farmer, 
I've purchased from both of these sellers more than once (I'm speaking 
of Chelyabinsk specifically right now) and have had
no problems whatsoever with either.  The seller, ".a." works with a 
dependable, and trustworthy fellow who lives in the Chelyabinsk region 
who goes around buying pieces from the locals as well as finding his own 
specimens.  Since he ships them directly
from Chelyabinsk when they are sold by ".a." on eBay, it does take as 
much as 4 weeks or more to receive a package coming out of Russia ( 
almost a week or longer from Chelyabinsk to Moscow alone ) due to their 
antiquated, and extremely inefficient,
postal system.  If you did buy from ".a." ( his real name is Michael, or 
his mother, Maria) did you receive a tracking number?  I found him very 
professional, extremely personable, and above board, as well as his 
partner in Russia.

Don't know if you purchased from either of these two I've mentioned, but 
if you did, I'm just trying to reassure you things should be fine.  The 
specimens I purchased from ".a." (aka Michael) for instance (since they 
were coming directly out of Russia and Chelyabinsk took
26 days to arrive safely in my hands.  I purchased them on March 6, and 
didn't get the parcel until April 1.  If it was ".a." whom you purchased 
from, don't worry, he's got your back 100% if something should happen to 
your parcel and it doesn't make before the shipment
arrival window expires as given on eBay.

Did you read my little write up on the list a few days ago of how I got 
my specimens out of Russia?  They were extremely well hidden/disguised 
to be "smuggled" out of Russia safely past unsuspecting Russian postal 
employees and customs officials who may have prying eyes and sticky 
figures at times.  I wrote a longer (much too long) piece with photos 
that I sent to those on the list that asked for more details.  If you're 
interested ( and like to read long tedious write-ups ), I'll email you a 
copy.  At least the photos are worth it if not the narrative itself.  :-)

Wishing you good fortune -
Mal
IMCA#6819

On 4/5/2013 6:48 PM, Linda Barany wrote:
> I received the one from Finland in a very timely manner.  I still have not
> received the one from Russia and it has been over a month.  I was able to track
> it as far as Moscow and I have seen the final destination listed as U.S. The
> last notation is on about March 19th and then it states international.  I have
> been in contact with the owner and he has already stated that if I open a case
> he will pay for the stone.  I am going to wait another week first.  I'm quite
> sure the sender is not at any fault. Linda Barany
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