[meteorite-list] Something is rotten on the web, on eBay, and with a certain seller.

From: MikeG <meteoritemike_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 23:19:56 -0500
Message-ID: <CAKBPJW8H=0NN78m6o5ErVcO3W0cuCPLW+xyeOqQZNBEKNu9kPQ_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi List and Concerned Collectors,

Do not panic. I do not think this is an epic-level scammer of the
Madoff level. But I want to make sure we have all of our ducks lined
up into neat row before we call someone out in public.

I will say this - it is someone who has been caused concerns to be
raised in the recent past on the List. It started some discussion,
but then the chatter died off. The person continued doing what they
were doing and may be connected to another shady endeavour recently
discovered. I know a couple of other collectors and dealers who have
dealt with this person, and we want to share data and see if it really
is as bad as it looks.

It may be tomorrow before I have learned anything new or may have
something public to say.

Best regards,

MikeG

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On 12/6/12, MikeG <meteoritemike at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi List,
>
> As a collector first, dealer second, and passionate meteorite nut
> third, I share the common sentiment that the integrity of the world's
> meteorite collections is a top priority for all of us.  Whether it is
> a large museum like the Smithsonian or a small micromount collector,
> it is important that any and all specimens in that collection are
> genuine and labeled correctly.  It is a shame and a disservice to the
> entire meteorite community (scientific and layperson) when a dealer
> knowingly misrepresents specimens as something they are not.  Whether
> it's a big whole stone the size of a football, or a tiny Bessey Speck,
> it is of the utmost importance that the specimen be genuine.  If it's
> billed, sold, and labeled as Tissint Martian, then it damn well better
> be Tissint Martian.  I won't nitpick the weight 1mg or the other,
> because scales vary.  But the material better be what it is sold to
> be.
>
> Secondly, if I am seeing a photo of a specimen for sale on a dealer's
> website, that photo better represent a specimen that dealer owns and
> that dealer shot the photo or has permission from the original
> photographer to use that photo.  We've seen dealers who steal photos
> from other dealers and then try to pull scams and sell specimens they
> don't actually own.  This is not an isolated unique thing - it has
> happened before, been pointed out on this List in the past, and it is
> happening again.  I will say this, to my knowledge, the guilty party
> is NOT a List member that is active or known.  This person may be a
> lurker, but they are not known.
>
> However, this person does have a website and they do sell on eBay
> using at least one or more seller accounts.  Worse, I have seen other
> collectors and some dealers leaving good feedback to this dubious
> seller after purchasing specimens that may be in question now.  Some
> of these people I saw leaving feedback are List members or persons
> known to List members.
>
> To my knowledge, this person is not an IMCA member.  But, this person
> frequently purchases material from List members, known dealers, and
> IMCA members.
>
> I fear and strongly suspect that this person is spreading
> misrepresented material into many collections across the world, thanks
> to eBay and the internet.  Some of the people who have purchased
> material from this suspect dealer are good people, people we know, and
> people who should now be concerned that portions of their collections
> may be compromised.
>
> I am currently conferring with a couple of other honest dealers who
> have some knowledge of this person and we will alert the collector
> community when we arrive at a consensus of what exactly is going on,
> how wide-reaching the damage is, and what we can say/do about it to
> prevent further damage.
>
> Stay tuned.
>
> Best regards,
>
> MikeG
>
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Received on Thu 06 Dec 2012 11:19:56 PM PST