[meteorite-list] Bogus Specimens, IMCA membership, and honesty issues.
From: Galactic Stone & Ironworks <meteoritemike_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon, 9 May 2011 09:49:59 -0400 Message-ID: <BANLkTi=ttWEj1oD=RrWC_gN3bRA3jLpJtg_at_mail.gmail.com> Hi Elizabeth and List, Before I say anything - everyone here should thank Jason Utas for investigating and exposing this fraud on his own time with his own money. He did not have to do that, but he did so because he cares about meteorites and honor. Microprobe results do not lie. My hat is off to you sir. A seller's reputation and a man/woman's word has nothing to do with what groups they join, clubs they frequent, or mailing lists they are a member of. Reputation is something that is built up over time through deeds and through personal interaction with others. Honesty is an attribute that comes from within a person and it speaks of their character. No group, clique, club, or fraternity can bestow honesty upon a person by association To rely on a group endorsement is folly - I have known a couple of MENSA members who didn't have the common sense to come in from the rain. And I have seen a few IMCA members who I wouldn't trust any further than I can throw. Having said that, like Jason Utas said - I am thankful that the IMCA exists because it is better than no oversight at all. . As with every collectible - buyer beware, investigate your seller (beyond looking for a nifty GIF on a website), and do your homework on the subject matter. I don't have to post my entire chain of provenance for each specimen on my website because how I conduct my business and who I conduct it with is not a matter of public record for anyone to see - it is confidential between me, my sources, and my clients. That information is available to my clients, not search engine spiders. And if anyone out there suggests there is something shady about not sharing provenance information with the entire world (including non-clients who have nothing to do with a given specimen), I suggest they run their own business and be concerned with their own house of (specimen)cards. The events in question do not involve me. I purchase all of my specimens from people I trust and not based on a string of alpha-numeric characters tacked onto an email signature. My trust has never been violated (*knock on wood*), because I carefully select and vett my sources. Also, if any client or trading partner of mine ever wants to know exactly where I acquired a specimen - ask me privately and I will be happy to share that information. And yes - I checked my records and my sources carefully when this drama broke out - the few pieces of Mifflin (mostly micro crumbs) that I have offered in the past, are all bona-fide Mifflin, without exception. They were not acquired directly or indirectly from the questionable sources at the heart of this clusterphuck. If you purchased Mifflin from me, it is indeed Mifflin. If you purchased A, B, C, or D, from me, it is indeed A, B, C, or D. Best regards, MikeG PS - if the IMCA has a "black list" of dealers who are not to be trusted, I suggest they share that list with all other dealers, including non-IMCA members. To keep such a list secret is irresponsible and detrimental to the integrity of the meteorite market as a whole. PSS - all too often, the meteorite market is a good-ole boys (and girls) affair that involves a lot of whispered tones, nudges, and winks. This is not good for anyone, and this Mifflin affair is proof positive of that. Again, I commend Jason for going public with his findings because that is the right and honorable thing to do. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Galactic Stone & Ironworks - Meteorites & Amber Website - http://www.galactic-stone.com Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/galacticstone News Feed - http://www.galactic-stone.com/rss/126516 Twitter - http://twitter.com/galacticstone EOM - http://www.encyclopedia-of-meteorites.com/collection.aspx?id=1564 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- On 5/9/11, Elizabeth Warner <ewarner at umd.edu> wrote: > If IMCA is supposed to be for collectors, how does being an IMCA member > help with selling?? Shouldn't there be an IMSA then?? > > However, as I read through the IMCA website, it is more about > selling/trading... > > I collect only, but it doesn't look like I would be able to join since I > don't sell which seems odd since IMCA in it's description says it is > about COLLECTING... > > > I really have nothing against IMCA, but as a 'newbie' it is very > confusing. I have been on this list since early 2010, I've bought some > slices, etc from both IMCA and non-IMCA sellers (but mostly IMCA)... > > Anyone should be able to join IMCA, but sellers/traders should then have > the specially vetted badge showing that they follow the > values/standards/ideals stated by IMCA. > > > Clear Skies! > Elizabeth > > ______________________________________________ > Visit the Archives at > http://www.meteoritecentral.com/mailing-list-archives.html > Meteorite-list mailing list > Meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com > http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list > --Received on Mon 09 May 2011 09:49:59 AM PDT |
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