[meteorite-list] Meteorite worth thousands...........

From: Mike Hankey <mike.hankey_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 23:55:14 -0500
Message-ID: <f0a794131002042055l48c98173ufc54458eb0211c95_at_mail.gmail.com>

Michael,

Sorry, but I think your criticism of the media and meteorite men is a
little harsh and one sided. In the case of the washington post, this
story is about a legal battle over the ownership of a high end
meteorite. Reporting about $10 meteorites is not relevant. Reporting
about the true value of this meteorite is.

Stories like this will inspire and motivate locals to look for these
meteorites, this will hopefully lead to more lorton meteorites being
found which is good for science and the meteorite world. Two weeks
after the fall, when the story has already been forgotten, the trail
has gone cold and the pros have gone home unable to find any low
hanging fruit what chance is there other than a local finding it?
Without the media reporting about it, how would a local even know to
look? Without a financial motive why would they care? In this regard,
I believe the media is an important tool in finding meteorites from
new falls and I am happy the post is still covering the story -- it
keeps the rocks on people's minds.

Thanks,

Mike




On Thursday, February 4, 2010, michael cottingham <mikewren at gilanet.com> wrote:
> Hello,
>
>
> WOW! ?STOP. You prove my point exactly and you read a lot into what I said!
>
>> NEVER. Did I suggest That the Lorton was not worth a lot of money. It probably is worth 50k, give or take. NEVER, did I compare it to NWA. ? You prove my point, because the HIGH END is the only thing people remember.
>
> Here is my quote from the Washington Post Article:
>
> Internet auction sites such as eBay have made buying and selling meteorite bits and chunks far more lucrative in recent years, said Michael Cottingham, a New Mexico-based hunter and dealer. Prices for small bits of the space rock can vary on the Web site from $10 for a common bit of meteorite that landed long ago, up to thousands of dollars for a newly landed specimens.
>
> "When you get a new meteorite like the one in Lorton, the low-end figure gets forgotten," Cottingham says. "You're just not going to go find some meteorites and pay all your bills."
>
> I took a lot of effort to get him to write $10.00! ?He only wanted to know about the high end. TV shows and news stories that ONLY State the high end do more harm then good. In fact, they drive away young collectors. If young collectors or new collectors think all meteorites cost 10k, you will get very few people coming in to the field. YOU ALSO DRIVE UP FIELD PRICES. I am not talking about cheating a farmer or rancher by trying to get something for nothing, I am talking about ridiculous price being asked because of ignorance and TV SHOWS that are poorly done.
>
> I had 6 meteorites located last year. All real meteorites. ALL 6 meteorites were found by people who saw the cash and treasure show and the 1st episode of "Meteorite Men". ?All- and I mean all of these people thought their stones were worth 100k to begin with. Where did they get this idea? ? They got it from BAD REPORTING . ?Where did the farmer get the idea that his 1 kilo ugly ass chondrite was worth $45,000.00 ???? ?From the show Cash and Treasure!
> That is a fact and if I need to get his statement in writing he has agreed to do this.... because BAD REPORTING AND BAD TV Shows can and do harm this field.
>
> In my ebay store I have 100's of meteorites under $100.00. Do you mention that. NO. You quote my high end collection pieces only.
>
> Unlike a lot of people on this list (Most in fact) I have supported my 5 children by really making a living by hunting, buying and selling meteorites for the last 10+ years. When I tell you that TV shows have had a negative impact on the field - I am not talking hot air.
>
> There are 4+ meteorites sitting in farmer's houses right now because of what these people have perceived to learn about meteorites.
>
> on and on and on.....
>
> Michael Cottingham
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Feb 4, 2010, at 8:51 AM, Mike Hankey wrote:
>
>
> Michael,
>
> I have to repectfully disagree with some of your satements. First
> suggesting that a hammer stone from a witnessed fall in the nations
> Capitol is equivellent in price to a weathered nwa at cents a gram is
> nonsense. This tactic is more about getting a good deal from an
> unwitting landowner than the preservation of science.
>
> Secondly I have seen the prices on most of your collection and from
> what I can tell that farmer in Texas isn't asking much more than what
> you are asking for your west meteorites. Why should an educated farmer
> take the hit just so a collector can take the prize?
>
> Third media and shows about meteorites are good for meteorites. It
> increases demand which in turn increases sales and values. Supply is
> limited which means anyone already invested in meteorites will
> benefit. Commodities can become overvalued at times look at real
> estate. When someone is asking too much the product doesn't sell. This
> is part of capitalism.
>
> I don't think the values of the lorton meteorite have been
> misteprestend in any of the stories.
>
> Spreading knowledge and excitement about meteorites is a good for
> meteorites, good for science and it leads to discoveries. Hording
> knowledge is good for profits and that's about it.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mike
>
> On Wednesday, February 3, 2010, michael cottingham <mikewren at gilanet.com> wrote:
>
> Hello,
>
> It should be of great concern. Every news article, every TV show, every special that features meteorites as "treasure" first, and science second, will most likely result in a distorted view of what meteorites are worth.
>
> In my recent interview with the Washington Post writer, we spent nearly 20-30 minutes talking about the pricing of meteorites. I expressed to him that it was extremely important to report the pricing accurately. I told him almost every time a story is done on meteorites and prices are mentioned, well the reporter seems to forget the pennies per gram and goes with the ten's of thousands that a meteorite could be worth.
>
> I told him when you state the high end only, you get a distorted view of pricing, and the results can be extremely negative. I believe you have more fraud on ebay, because people think they can get $10,000 for the meteorwrong, not $10.00. This is most likely a direct result of distorted news reporting and TV shows.
>
> I know many of you dearly love the Meteorite TV shows of late, and think they are nothing but great for the field of meteorites. Well, I know of 4 meteorites in the field, who's owners/finders want tens of thousands of dollars, more than these little chondrites are worth- simply because of the Cash and Treasure Show and the first Meteorite Men episode.
>
> So, because I will not pay, $45,000 for a 1 kilo chondrite from North Texas, it will sit, like many others meteorites with the owners- who believe, because of TV shows that were done poorly, that they are worth $50,000 or more. ?Science will loose out if reporting is not done accurately.
>
> Best Wishes
>
> Michael Cottingham
>
>
>
>
> On Feb 3, 2010, at 9:34 AM, Michael Groetz wrote:
>
>
> List-
> ?Maybe many of the rest of you don't feel this way- but to me it
> generally seems the news media and television shows are more concerned
> about a quick buck rather than the science and appreciation for
> meteorites for what they are- treasures from space that you can hold
> in your hand.
> ?It seems like initially meteorites are viewed as something special
> and usually wind up "How much is it worth?" after buyers roll in.
> ?The doctor in this case tried to maintain the scientific value for
> all to appreciate while helping the people of Haiti. Then the $$$ was
> thrown at them and greed seems to be winning out.
> ?Sorry for the frustration.
> Mike
>
> http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/02/03/meteorite-worth-thousands-stirs-ownership-debate/
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Received on Thu 04 Feb 2010 11:55:14 PM PST