[meteorite-list] IMCA?

From: Darryl Pitt <darryl_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:34:38 -0500
Message-ID: <A4170769-0987-432E-8A04-AD525D20DB75_at_dof3.com>

Hi Michael.
Every facet of your note is appreciated, and your observations and
desires are both sober and reasonable.
With warm regards...and clear skies / d,



On Dec 15, 2008, at 11:05 AM, Michael Gilmer wrote:

> Hi Darryl,
>
> I'm glad you wrote this back so quick, because I was mulling over what
> I had said, and I think I may have come across wrong. I am not
> trying to bash the IMCA. I fully support their mission to police the
> meteorite marketplace and to put some measure of consistency into
> the handling and dealing of meteorites. And for the most part, I
> think
> the IMCA succeeds with flying colors in this respect. But, no
> group is perfect, and the IMCA can come across as inconsistent at
> times to people from outside the group. I am not privy to the
> IMCA's internal workings, so what I am saying must be taken with a
> grain of salt - since I am merely putting forth a single opinion as
> someone from outside the group. I am curious whether other people
> from outside the IMCA may feel the same way - a couple of comments I
> have read on the list in the last week have led me to believe that
> others might be seeing the same things I am.
>
> I'll also say I have never been burned on a deal by an IMCA member.
> In fact, (knock on wood), I have never been burned on a deal for
> meteorites by anyone (yet). I have been trading online since 1999, so
> I have good fraud radar - years of buying and collecting antique
> telescopes has taught me this. (there is a lot of fraud and
> misrepresentation in the the antique scope market). I have bought
> specimens from nearly every major member of this list over the last
> 12-16 months. The majority of these people are IMCA members - and
> their cordial nature and genuine desire to help newcomers is what
> gave me a positive impression of the meteorite field/hobby. But now
> that I have been a part of this hobby long enough to see some things,
> I am learning that our watchdogs also need some occasional watching.
> The IMCA is a large international collective - it has members from
> all walks of life and corners of the world. Like any such group,
> there is going to be some variation in how things are implemented from
> one member to the next.
>
> I have a great deal of respect for the IMCA and the majority of it's
> members, but my respect is not blind and I have seen a few things
> over the course of my time in the hobby that has tempered this respect
> with a measure of perspective. While I would consider it an honor
> to be a member of the same group as some of the highly-respected
> IMCA personalities, I think there are a few things going on that
> make me reluctant. Currently, I am greatly enjoying this hobby as
> a collector and kitchen-table dealer. I am also learning many new
> things about planetary science, space science, chemistry, geology,
> and meteoritics. I feel rewarded and stimulated by my participation
> in the world of meteorites - and I see no reason right now to change
> that participation by aligning myself with a particular group.
>
> Best regards and clear skies,
>
> MikeG
>
>
> .........................................................
> Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA)
> Member of the Meteoritical Society.
> Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network.
> Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com and http://www.glassthrower.com
> MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fine_meteorites_4_sale
> ..........................................................
>
>
>
> --- On Mon, 12/15/08, Darryl Pitt <darryl at dof3.com> wrote:
>
>> From: Darryl Pitt <darryl at dof3.com>
>> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] IMCA?
>> To: michael_w_gilmer at yahoo.com
>> Cc: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>> Date: Monday, December 15, 2008, 9:38 AM
>> I think what the IMCA aspires to be is outstanding, and I
>> wish the
>> organization good fortune as it strives to do an better job
>> in
>> promoting an agenda which is of benefit to us all.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Dec 15, 2008, at 10:26 AM, Michael Gilmer wrote:
>>
>>> Hi List,
>>>
>>> I never thought I would agree with any of these views
>> that are
>>> critical
>>> of the IMCA, but I must admit (unfortunately) that I
>> have seen some
>>> things that gives me pause about ever wanting to join
>> again.
>>>
>>> I was rejected on my first time around for being
>> "too new" on the
>>> scene.
>>>
>>> A few months later, a beginner I started out in the
>> hobby (introduced
>>> and schooled) was accepted the first time after being
>> on the scene for
>>> a fraction of the time I have.
>>>
>>> I have seen IMCA members use incorrect or misleading
>> terminology to
>>> describe/sell specimens.
>>>
>>> I have seen IMCA members butcher and disrespect
>> meteorites in the name
>>> of making a buck. (hideous resin-encased kindergarten
>> junk)
>>>
>>> I have had IMCA members be rude to me - uncalled for
>> at that.
>>>
>>> On the plus side (for the IMCA) -
>>>
>>> Some of the nicest people I have met on the meteorite
>> scene are IMCA
>>> members.
>>>
>>> 2 of my "meteorite mentors" are IMCA members
>> - I greatly value their
>>> friendship and expertise.
>>>
>>> I have gotten some GREAT deals from IMCA members.
>>>
>>> I have learned MUCH from talking with IMCA members.
>>>
>>> So, in the end, I have to say my opinion of the IMCA
>> is conflicted.
>>> On the one hand, I feel a personal loyalty to some
>> members who have
>>> become valued friends of mine. On the other hand, I
>> think the IMCA
>>> is inconsistent and NEEDS TO CLEAN HOUSE. Until this
>> house-cleaning
>>> takes place, I am not joining (even if they'd have
>> me).
>>>
>>> Regards and clear skies,
>>>
>>> MikeG
>>>
>>> ------------------------------------------------
>>>
>>> Message: 7
>>> Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:51:39 +1000
>>> From: "Bob WALKER"
>> <qwalkra at mailbox.ezadsl.net.au>
>>> Subject: [meteorite-list] IMCA not a knight in shining
>> armour !
>>> To: "Meteorite"
>> <meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com>
>>> Message-ID:
>> <E8E6C4F63F3E4608B224FCA6DFAA328F at your0a700f0aaf>
>>> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed;
>> charset="iso-8859-1";
>>> reply-type=original
>>>
>>> Listoids
>>>
>>> Heaven forbid !
>>>
>>> The alleged guardian of our sacred community condoning
>> the sale of
>>> "Mekong
>>> Iron"
>>>
>>> It isn't the first or last time that Listoids have
>> been unhappy with
>>> IMCA...
>>>
>>> I'd like to hear from other Listoids who have had
>> "disagreements" with
>>> IMCA - I'm beginning to take the view that there
>> is a bad odour to
>>> IMCA ( ?
>>> by dealers for dealers ?) - tho I'm still acutely
>> aware of the
>>> excellent
>>> work done by many IMCA members
>>>
>>> At least it will take the heat off Bob EVANS for a
>> while
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> .........................................................
>>> Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA)
>>> Member of the Meteoritical Society.
>>> Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network.
>>> Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com and
>> http://www.glassthrower.com
>>> MySpace -
>> http://www.myspace.com/fine_meteorites_4_sale
>>>
>> ..........................................................
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________
>>> http://www.meteoritecentral.com
>>> Meteorite-list mailing list
>>> Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
>>>
>> http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
>
>
>
Received on Mon 15 Dec 2008 11:34:38 AM PST