It is unfortunate that fraudulent sales on eBay has consequences on the
rest of market. These days, most collectors, new to the market, start
on eBay where they acquire their first stone. Advanced collectors have
learned that one fake piece can jeopardize the standing of the rest of
their collections so demand proper documentation and provenance.
Unfortunately, these standards don't exist on eBay which has become a
clearing house for fakes.
I have filed a couple of NOCI forms with eBay and they did follow up
since plagiarizing copyrighted material like Meteoritical Bulletin
entries for an official meteorite to describe an unclassified stone is
not tolerable.
It makes me sad to see some IMCA members, who are also acting as
dealers, not upholding the strict standards put in place to protect
collectors. Code of Ethics rule number six is not being followed by
many who promised to uphold these standards as a part of becoming a member:
*******************************************************************
6. I agree that unclassified 'meteorites' that have not been verified
as meteorites might not be meteorites. I will not sell or trade any
meteorites or any questionable meteoritic material unless I first obtain
verification. I agree to specify verified but unclassified material as
such in connection with any sale, trade, or other transaction related to
the same. Meteoritical Society guidelines will prevail in the
circumstance of meteorite naming and pairing. I understand and agree
that, as a member, I may be required to provide further evidence to the
Board (or other relevant I.M.C.A. Committee), including but not limited
to: the verification process utilized for unclassified meteorites,
and/or documentation from an approved testing institution or approved
individual of the Board's choosing.
******************************************************************
Adam
On 11/26/2017 6:18 PM, Michael Farmer wrote:
Adam I agree with you fully. But haven’t you learned after decades that eBay
doesn’t give a rat’s ass about fraud? They make money on sales. All sales, even
scams. They will never police the site.
Michael Farmer
On Nov 27, 2017, at 9:55 AM, Adam Hupe via Meteorite-list
<[email protected]> wrote:
Yes, counterfeits and fakes are hardly anything new. Some counterfeit Chinese
made medications sold in the U.S. market through national chain stores put my
mother-in-law in the hospital for several weeks and could have resulted in her
death. How about counterfeit batteries that blow up in your face while talking
on a cell phone? How about sawdust in your baby formula or rat turds ground
into your dog's food?
I remember having to write checks to acquire meteorites from a handful of
dealers a few decades ago. I had no concerns whatsoever about about them being
fake until around 1998 when a dealer was substituting a DAG Howardite for
Kapoeta. This was my first encounter with fraud in meteorites and now it is so
common place that some just take it for granted. It is a pretty sad situation.
Just because it is common place doesn't excuse anybody from engaging in the
unsavory practice.
Adam
On 11/26/2017 5:18 PM, Michael Farmer wrote:
Fake things being sold for money. Wow color me shocked. Hardly anything new.
What’s next? Knock-off Rolex and Prada shoes?
Come on Adam. Yes it’s terrible but hardly news. Let them get scammed. Perhaps
they should buy from real dealers.
Michael Farmer
On Nov 27, 2017, at 8:28 AM, Adam Hupe via Meteorite-list
<[email protected]> wrote:
This same seller fleeced $400.00 out of some poor collector last week:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lunar-Meteorite-from-KREEP-Basalt-to-Lunar-Granite-0-4g-Moon-Breccia-Granite/222713435793?hash=item33dac15691:g:-EMAAOSwv~RZ04Hn
It is a bad sign when undocumented stones are starting to outnumber official
material.
I have seen the same thing happen in other collectable markets.
What next, witnessed falls again?
Adam
On 11/26/2017 4:17 PM, drtanuki wrote:
Adam and List,
There is also a seller from Taiwan selling fake Lunar KREEP. Buyer beware!Help this
guy by "liking" his post! Thanks!
jacwon_7
https://www.ebay.com/sch/jacwon_7/m.html?item=222713434677&hash=item33dac15235%3Ag%3AReUAAOSw2oJZ04cE&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562
Best Regards,
Dirk Ross...Tokyo
________________________________
From: Adam Hupe via Meteorite-list <[email protected]>
To: metlist <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2017 9:04 AM
Subject: [meteorite-list] Terrestrial Breccia Being Offered Up As Lunar
Some more terrestrial breccia lacking any kind of fusion crust or
flight-markings being added to the huge pile being sold as lunar:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lunar-Meteorite-Breccia-37g/263346210852?hash=item3d50a84824:g:zzwAAOSwEEBaGyPN
This demonstrates the need to have every piece tested and made official.
To me it is obvious this is not a lunar specimen but it is close enough
to fool many. Remember, a COA is worthless without official scientific
data to back it up. A recent national auction demonstrated that there
is simply no secondary market for undocumented, untested and unofficial
material.
Material like this only undermines collector confidence which is at an
all time low right now because of the amount of undocumented crap being
dumped onto the market. Fake Martian material is making a comeback as well.
Adam
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