[meteorite-list] IMCA?

From: Greg Catterton <star_wars_collector_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:06:43 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID: <228726.83615.qm_at_web45615.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>

When I first got into meteorites, one of the first things I did was join the IMCA. I would agree that they are not perfect but I ask, can you think of anything that is?
I joined becouse of what they stand for and think what they are trying to do is a great thing an I am happy to be a member of a group that strives to do good and also gives something back to the community.
While I do see it as more of a "dealers club" then anything else, I have enjoyed being a part of it and have only good to say about my time with them.
Just my 2 cents on the subject.

Greg Catterton
www.wanderingstarmeteorites.com


--- On Mon, 12/15/08, Michael Gilmer <michael_w_gilmer at yahoo.com> wrote:

> From: Michael Gilmer <michael_w_gilmer at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] IMCA?
> To: "Darryl Pitt" <darryl at dof3.com>
> Cc: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
> Date: Monday, December 15, 2008, 11:05 AM
> 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
>
>
>
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Received on Mon 15 Dec 2008 12:06:43 PM PST