[meteorite-list] AD - Promised Updates and Turning Over Ebay Auctions

From: Adam Hupe <raremeteorites_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 00:23:22 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <911986.39056.qm_at_web30704.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Dear List Members,

Thank you for the opportunity to provide some updates and an advertisement.

The first update is that I will be turning over most of my weekly eBay auctions to Jeff and Malia Krosschell starting this evening. They are very familiar with the in-and-outs of eBay and have sold thousands of consumer electronics via this medium in previous business dealings. I am confident that they will give you the same high level of customer service that those who have dealt with me have become accustomed to. I have been working with Jeff for nearly a year on material preparation and promotions. Jeff will promote meteorites in a professional and ethical matter further advancing this great hobby. Malia will bring a high level of energy and enthusiasm to this fine avocation. Her middle name is Kalani which fits perfect with meteoritics since in Hawaiian, it means ?of the heavens?, thus their eBay name kalani_oftheheavens. Some of you may have met them this year in Tucson.

On the other hand, I will be gearing down my eBay involvement over the upcoming weeks. I will still run auctions on Monday evenings but will scale them down as I exhaust the last of the bins not turned over to Jeff and Malia. You will probably want to keep an eye on my Monday night auctions for a while as I will make one-of-kinds and items not needed in my permanent collection available.

I have sold over 14,000 items on eBay the last four years, most started at just 99 cents. I was trying to encourage those with modest budgets to become involved by making meteorites affordable. I succeeded but at the cost of spending nearly all of my free time supporting these auctions and answering thousands of questions. As it turns out, I realized no profit but the sales did help to offset the enormous costs associated with building the world?s largest privately held planetary collection. I know a lot of collectors think that meteorite dealers are making a killing but this is not true in most cases. You have to love this avocation because there are a lot easier ways to make a buck. It was fun selling but it interfered with my ability get out in the field and get much needed exercise

I was reminded a few weeks ago what I was missing out on when I gave a two hour talk at the University of Washington and then went on a field trip to Waterville where it all began for me. I was touched that Art and Carol Ehlmann scheduled time to hang out and attend my lecture in Seattle. They are part of what makes this hobby great!

I guess what I am trying to say is that eBay started to feel too much like a business and I want to return to hobby status. I have been an amateur treasure hunter for over 30 years and long to start searching again. Of all of the treasure I have found, nothing will ever be able to compete with meteorites, the friends I have made while pursuing them and the memories, most of which are good.

Unfortunately, I will miss the Denver show this year. Denver is my favorite venue because the group never fails to extend a helping hand, a beer or a good laugh. I am preparing to move to southern Nevada and will be looking for a place to live at the end of the month. This and other responsibilities are preventing me from attending.

I will be stepping down from the IMCA board as my 3-year term is due to expire this month. Serving as Secretary and the head of the North American membership committee was a pleasure. In the last 3 years, in great part due to the IMCA, I have seen this hobby mature and hope that my small contributions may have helped. I will continue to be involved with meteoritics and may run for a board position in the future if time allows and the association votes me back in. In the meantime, we should all be thankful that such an association exists and does good works.

If you made it this far, please check out these great auctions:

Please check back this evening to see Jeff and Malia?s set of great items. Be sure to check out their store which will be growing on a weekly basis:
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZkalani_oftheheavens

My last complete set of Tuesday auctions ending with over 140 great auctions can be viewed here:
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZraremeteorites


Thank you for the interest,

Best Regards,

Adam




  
Received on Tue 09 Sep 2008 03:23:22 AM PDT