AW: [meteorite-list] Meteorite Group Purchase Idea...

From: Martin Altmann <altmann_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri Feb 24 22:53:45 2006
Message-ID: <001201c639bf$10066870$936cfea9_at_name86d88d87e2>

Anyway, as far as I can appraise it, it would be rather a long time
investment. Buying is one thing, but selling at present is a real challenge.
People are always not aware, that there is no demand for meteorites. A
handful collectors worldwide, most with limited budgets. And if I see
frequently ureilites, r-chondrites, howardites in minute slices dying on
ebay at 5 bucks per gram, you may imagine, if you keep the additional costs
in mind as there are the cut loss (if you cut thin slices 25-30%), the
material, which has to be deposed for classification, the long time until
classification is done or if you want to have it faster, the fees for
classification, blades, the work of polishing, ebay fees, paypal fees,
taxes, other costs. It's not that easy to make good bucks at present and
seriously most dealers are more driven by enthusiasm, seen the actual
chances to earn a good wage per hour...
Hence it would be a long term investment of 3-5 years, until the prices will
have recovered again or the pool would be good for getting material into the
collections, rather than to earn money with it. Not to forget that the
supply from Sahara is drying out rapidely.

If it would be so easy, where are the millionaires among those dealers, who
started during the last 4-5 years?
Better buy some acres in Romania and wait until it joins to EU in 2 years...

Meow!
Martin



-----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: meteorite-list-bounces_at_meteoritecentral.com
[mailto:meteorite-list-bounces_at_meteoritecentral.com] Im Auftrag von Michael
Farmer
Gesendet: Samstag, 25. Februar 2006 04:21
An: Bob Evans
Cc: meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
Betreff: Re: [meteorite-list] Meteorite Group Purchase Idea...

Bob, it is a little more simple than that.
It has to do with LEGAL issues. Private people cannot offer "investments" or

else you open yourself up to a whole hornet's nest of legal issues and
risks.
Besides, you were in Tucson, you had the same chance to buy from the same
sellers as we buy from in Morocco, so if their prices weren't low enough,
then get ready to not buy many meteorites, as things have changed in Africa.
Mike Farmer
Received on Fri 24 Feb 2006 10:53:38 PM PST