Good comments Greg. This isn't too much different than what happened
with some of the Russians several years ago. Trying to sell direct
retail and still sell wholesale to dealers just doesn't work.
Eventually, the market gets flooded and prices end up in the crapper.
When the supply dries up in Morocco, all sorts of "creative
marketing" will pop up. Someone has already mentioned the
possibility of old unsold material being offered as new falls. You
don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how this is all
going to play out.
Best,
John
At 06:37 PM 1/16/2009, Greg Hupe wrote:
Dear List members,
We all know that most of the Moroccan meteorite traders were
ambitious in obtaining new material from the nomads of the Sahara
and building close partnerships with meteorite dealers from the rest
of the world. In the past few years they have been destroying the
typically respected wholesale/retail relationship with their
partners and have been striving the go direct to the collectors to
squeeze every last nickel they could get, despite the repercussions.
Moroccans can not (and will not) provide the guarantee, meteorite
preparation and proper classification as most "long-term" meteorite dealers do.
The funny part in all of this is that while going for broke and
looking past their long-term partnerships, they have managed to
scare away collectors because there is no trust and confidence in
what the Moroccans say or do. In part, the skepticism is accurate
and some is not. One thing is true, they have lost many long-term
customers, the true bounty they will one day realize and regret!
Now to the funny, but sad part... In their attempts to be a one-stop
shop, we have witnessed today the Moroccans fighting with each other
in public, on this List! This tells me, which I predicted a year ago
amongst friends, that in the bad economy (and even in a good one)
the Moroccans would start to back stab each other even worse than
ever to get that last nickel. I would say it has backfired! It is
looking like they are losing their best long-term customers and
scaring away collectors.
As times continue to be economically rough, I predict we will see
more of these Moroccan street fights erupt on this List and at
shows. Maybe I will bring a lawn chair and a big bag of popcorn to
Tucson and watch the show!
Best regards,
Greg
====================
Greg Hupe
The Hupe Collection
NaturesVault (eBay)
[email protected]
www.LunarRock.com
IMCA 3163
====================
Click here for my current eBay auctions:
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZnaturesvault
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John Gwilliam
Too many people were born on third base
and go through life thinking they hit a triple.
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