Hi Michael.Every facet of your note is appreciated, and your observations and desires are both sober and reasonable.
With warm regards...and clear skies / d, On Dec 15, 2008, at 11:05 AM, Michael Gilmer wrote:
Hi Darryl, I'm glad you wrote this back so quick, because I was mulling over what I had said, and I think I may have come across wrong. I am not trying to bash the IMCA. I fully support their mission to police the meteorite marketplace and to put some measure of consistency intothe handling and dealing of meteorites. And for the most part, I thinkthe IMCA succeeds with flying colors in this respect. But, no group is perfect, and the IMCA can come across as inconsistent at times to people from outside the group. I am not privy to the IMCA's internal workings, so what I am saying must be taken with a grain of salt - since I am merely putting forth a single opinion as someone from outside the group. I am curious whether other people from outside the IMCA may feel the same way - a couple of comments I have read on the list in the last week have led me to believe that others might be seeing the same things I am. I'll also say I have never been burned on a deal by an IMCA member. In fact, (knock on wood), I have never been burned on a deal for meteorites by anyone (yet). I have been trading online since 1999, so I have good fraud radar - years of buying and collecting antique telescopes has taught me this. (there is a lot of fraud and misrepresentation in the the antique scope market). I have bought specimens from nearly every major member of this list over the last 12-16 months. The majority of these people are IMCA members - and their cordial nature and genuine desire to help newcomers is what gave me a positive impression of the meteorite field/hobby. But now that I have been a part of this hobby long enough to see some things, I am learning that our watchdogs also need some occasional watching. The IMCA is a large international collective - it has members from all walks of life and corners of the world. Like any such group, there is going to be some variation in how things are implemented from one member to the next. I have a great deal of respect for the IMCA and the majority of it's members, but my respect is not blind and I have seen a few things over the course of my time in the hobby that has tempered this respect with a measure of perspective. While I would consider it an honor to be a member of the same group as some of the highly-respected IMCA personalities, I think there are a few things going on that make me reluctant. Currently, I am greatly enjoying this hobby as a collector and kitchen-table dealer. I am also learning many new things about planetary science, space science, chemistry, geology, and meteoritics. I feel rewarded and stimulated by my participation in the world of meteorites - and I see no reason right now to change that participation by aligning myself with a particular group. Best regards and clear skies, MikeG ......................................................... Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA) Member of the Meteoritical Society. Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network. Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com and http://www.glassthrower.com MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/fine_meteorites_4_sale .......................................................... --- On Mon, 12/15/08, Darryl Pitt <[email protected]> wrote:From: Darryl Pitt <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] IMCA? To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Date: Monday, December 15, 2008, 9:38 AM I think what the IMCA aspires to be is outstanding, and I wish the organization good fortune as it strives to do an better job in promoting an agenda which is of benefit to us all. On Dec 15, 2008, at 10:26 AM, Michael Gilmer wrote:Hi List, I never thought I would agree with any of these viewsthat arecritical of the IMCA, but I must admit (unfortunately) that Ihave seen somethings that gives me pause about ever wanting to joinagain.I was rejected on my first time around for being"too new" on thescene. A few months later, a beginner I started out in thehobby (introducedand schooled) was accepted the first time after beingon the scene fora fraction of the time I have. I have seen IMCA members use incorrect or misleadingterminology todescribe/sell specimens. I have seen IMCA members butcher and disrespectmeteorites in the nameof making a buck. (hideous resin-encased kindergartenjunk)I have had IMCA members be rude to me - uncalled forat that.On the plus side (for the IMCA) - Some of the nicest people I have met on the meteoritescene are IMCAmembers. 2 of my "meteorite mentors" are IMCA members- I greatly value theirfriendship and expertise. I have gotten some GREAT deals from IMCA members. I have learned MUCH from talking with IMCA members. So, in the end, I have to say my opinion of the IMCAis conflicted.On the one hand, I feel a personal loyalty to somemembers who havebecome valued friends of mine. On the other hand, Ithink the IMCAis inconsistent and NEEDS TO CLEAN HOUSE. Until thishouse-cleaningtakes place, I am not joining (even if they'd haveme).Regards and clear skies, MikeG ------------------------------------------------ Message: 7 Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2008 08:51:39 +1000 From: "Bob WALKER"<[email protected]>Subject: [meteorite-list] IMCA not a knight in shiningarmour !To: "Meteorite"<[email protected]>Message-ID:<e8e6c4f63f3e4608b224fca6dfaa3...@your0a700f0aaf>Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed;charset="iso-8859-1";reply-type=original Listoids Heaven forbid ! The alleged guardian of our sacred community condoningthe sale of"Mekong Iron" It isn't the first or last time that Listoids havebeen unhappy withIMCA... I'd like to hear from other Listoids who have had"disagreements" withIMCA - I'm beginning to take the view that thereis a bad odour toIMCA ( ? by dealers for dealers ?) - tho I'm still acutelyaware of theexcellent work done by many IMCA members At least it will take the heat off Bob EVANS for awhile.........................................................Michael Gilmer (Louisiana, USA) Member of the Meteoritical Society. Member of the Bayou Region Stargazers Network. Websites - http://www.galactic-stone.com andhttp://www.glassthrower.comMySpace -http://www.myspace.com/fine_meteorites_4_sale..........................................................______________________________________________ http://www.meteoritecentral.com Meteorite-list mailing list [email protected]http://six.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/meteorite-list
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