[meteorite-list] Moroccan Infighting

From: John Gwilliam <jkg2_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:52:10 -0700
Message-ID: <20090117015219.GMRG2948.fed1rmmtao101.cox.net_at_fed1rmimpo02.cox.net>

Good comments Greg. This isn't too much different than what happened
with some of the Russians several years ago. Trying to sell direct
retail and still sell wholesale to dealers just doesn't work.
Eventually, the market gets flooded and prices end up in the crapper.
When the supply dries up in Morocco, all sorts of "creative
marketing" will pop up. Someone has already mentioned the
possibility of old unsold material being offered as new falls. You
don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how this is all
going to play out.

Best,
John

At 06:37 PM 1/16/2009, Greg Hupe wrote:
>Dear List members,
>
>We all know that most of the Moroccan meteorite traders were
>ambitious in obtaining new material from the nomads of the Sahara
>and building close partnerships with meteorite dealers from the rest
>of the world. In the past few years they have been destroying the
>typically respected wholesale/retail relationship with their
>partners and have been striving the go direct to the collectors to
>squeeze every last nickel they could get, despite the repercussions.
>Moroccans can not (and will not) provide the guarantee, meteorite
>preparation and proper classification as most "long-term" meteorite dealers do.
>
>The funny part in all of this is that while going for broke and
>looking past their long-term partnerships, they have managed to
>scare away collectors because there is no trust and confidence in
>what the Moroccans say or do. In part, the skepticism is accurate
>and some is not. One thing is true, they have lost many long-term
>customers, the true bounty they will one day realize and regret!
>
>Now to the funny, but sad part... In their attempts to be a one-stop
>shop, we have witnessed today the Moroccans fighting with each other
>in public, on this List! This tells me, which I predicted a year ago
>amongst friends, that in the bad economy (and even in a good one)
>the Moroccans would start to back stab each other even worse than
>ever to get that last nickel. I would say it has backfired! It is
>looking like they are losing their best long-term customers and
>scaring away collectors.
>
>As times continue to be economically rough, I predict we will see
>more of these Moroccan street fights erupt on this List and at
>shows. Maybe I will bring a lawn chair and a big bag of popcorn to
>Tucson and watch the show!
>
>Best regards,
>Greg
>
>====================
>Greg Hupe
>The Hupe Collection
>NaturesVault (eBay)
>gmhupe at htn.net
>www.LunarRock.com
>IMCA 3163
>====================
>Click here for my current eBay auctions:
>http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZnaturesvault
>
>
>
>
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John Gwilliam

Too many people were born on third base
and go through life thinking they hit a triple.
Received on Fri 16 Jan 2009 08:52:10 PM PST