John, I expressed some of these same views when the organization was forming. I have been dealing in and collecting meteorites, fossils and minerals for 42 years and have an impeccable record of honesty in buying and selling these items we love so much. I have been a member of several mineral clubs and societies which were helpful to the dealer and collector alike. I also think an organization such as the IMCA is a good idea as far as having members who share information to better the dealing in and collecting of meteorites. However, at this point I have not asked to become a member, because, rightly or wrongly, I have perceived it as more of a police action committee. If my perception is wrong and the club has higher ideals, then I would like to become a member. Otherwise I will remain on the outside and continue my good business practices as I always have, just as the two gentlemen earlier mentioned by Michael Blood always have (Rob Elliott and Michael Farmer). If the organization can help bond us all together in a way helpful to all and not by espousing suspicion or creating a police state, then I think the remaining few might be interested in joining. Could the list perhaps see a statement of objectives of the IMCA? Thanks and best wishes to all, Thomas H. Webb
On Sun, 19 May 2002, John Gwilliam wrote: > At 08:57 PM 5/19/02 -0500, Mark Bostick wrote: > > From M. Blood.. > > > >Rob, Mike & all, > >We all know Rob & Mike are 100% honest & stand by their material. > >Why aren't you guys members? Since, as I understand it, the primary > >purpose of IMCA is to guarentee authenticity, why would anyone NOT be > >a member? > >If we aren't all in this togeather, then it is really worthless, > >impotent > >nonsense. (or, maybe I'm missing something - if so, someone please tell > >me what it is) > >Rob & Mike, I'm listening - tell me the strait poop - perhaps you have > >good reasons, in which case I will bale as well. If not, then let's all > >do the > >right thing. > >And Rhett, let's not be shy, here, or what's the point. > >RSVP > >Best wishes, Michael > > > >Michael, > > > >I think this is a very bad ideal. It is not our job or responsibility to > >police or try to control the market. The IMCA is a step and should be > >looked as such. I had the ideal of a dealers award. This could be another > >IMCA step. We could and should look for ways to expand it. This is not > >one of them (I believe). > > > >I run probley more meteorite auctions on eBay then anyone. I will not put > >any statement in my auctions telling bidders to only buy from IMCA > >members. For several reasons. One that comes to my head is I do not > >agree with all the members on their choice of ethics. > > > >Me and you (Blood) have both had problems with one member that has still > >not sent me a refund promised even in an e-mail to the list (Brad > >Sampson). (Yes Brad I understand, you lost my address the 8th time I sent > >it to you and you cant find my e-mail and couldnt find me in the > >meteorite-list archives). > > > >The IMCA from my understanding...as a member...only promises the meteorite > >is real. So I have no problem with others "ethnics"....the moment this > >changes I will have to see if this is a membership I wish to be a part of. > > > >Mark Bostick "The Big Collector" > > > To List Members, > Mark, and some others, makes several very good points here that I > support. Organizations such as the IMCA (Yes...I am a member) make > progress in baby steps, not giant ones. Whenever human beings are > involved, there will always be exceptions, rogues, and self-promoting > individuals in every well meaning group. Moreover, just because someone > doesn't belong to "the group" shouldn't make them a target of > suspicion. Progress in a positive direction takes time and requires > patience - there is no "quick fix" for the problems that ail society in > general and our group specifically. In a Utopian world, all items sold on > Ebay and the Internet would be legitimate and ethical. Until we reach that > higher standard, we should expect, though not condone, the frailties of > ignorant and devious seller alike. > > What we can do is to make sure that those of us with knowledge conduct our > personal business in a forthright and fair manner. Eventually, the problem > will correct itself. Until then, expect problems along the way from self > centered people. > > Sometimes the best and most memorable education a person can receive is at > the hand of a con man. We as a group - a group of meteorite collectors and > dealers, are not responsible to protest every prospective meteorite buyer > from being burned. The education and experience that can be gained from > "being taken" will only enlighten those that are quick to bid on an auction > item without doing their homework. I am not a baby sitter to everyone that > bids on meteorites on Ebay - nor are the rest of you. If you want to > champion a truely improtant cause with your time, take on something more > noble like feeding the hungry or housing the homeless. > > > Off My Soapbox, > > John Gwilliam > > > John Gwilliam Meteorites > PO Box 26854 > Tempe AZ 85285 > http://www.meteoriteimpact.com > ______________________________________________ Meteorite-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
