Al,
I have purchased specimens from Todd over several years now.
I am looking at some of these as I write this, which he personally found
in the Whetstone Mountains, and in the Buck Mountains, of Arizona.
And which, are unquestionably authentic....
SOMEONE HAS MADE A HUGE MISTAKE HERE....,
and should retract their error.....
Jonathan Dongell
ICMA 3922
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Gheesling" <[email protected]>
To: "'Don Merchant'" <[email protected]>; "'al mitt'"
<[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Cc: "'Chris Spratt'" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 6:59 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Scam Artist - Joel Samson -FakeLunar
Meteorites
Thanks again, Frank, for forwarding my below note earlier today when I was
on a web interface and couldn't directly post to the list. Since the "scam"
and "fraud" notion is still being floated with Todd's name on it, I'm
posting again directly here so it's at least in the archives. Apologies for
the redundancy...
Hello List,
While I haven't seen where Todd Parker's name was mentioned as a "possible
scammer" other than in Al Mitterling's recent post (I haven't been closely
following the thread), TODD PARKER MOST ASSUREDLY IS NOT A SCAMMER OR
ANYTHING OF THE SORT. To the contrary, Todd is probably one of the finest
people I've had the pleasure of knowing -- inside or outside of the
meteorite community. Presumably this mention has something to do with the
recent Mifflin thread, but Todd's name shouldn't be associated with anything
other than integrity -- he is a class act, to be sure.
All the best,
Dave
www.fallingrocks.com
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Don
Merchant
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 8:06 PM
To: al mitt; [email protected]
Cc: Chris Spratt
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Scam Artist - Joel Samson -FakeLunar
Meteorites
Hi Al and the rest of the List. I agree totally with you Al. One thing as
you mentioned that I have noticed over the years is that there is that
chance someone can get hurt by accusations of fraud ect. Yet how can this be
done so as to avoid this? I have an idea that might work but may need
refining. Maybe we can ask the List for 2 or 3 volunteers who 1) Has been a
Listie of good and long standing. 2) Has built an excellent reputation of
their name in the meteorite community, which includes experience with buying
and selling meteorites, with knowledge of meteorite composition both
internal and external. 3) Last but not least, always desired to be a CSI and
so a great opportunity to be an MFI or Meteorite Fraud Investigator. I
myself like MFS "Meteorite Fraud Squasher!" Anyways...The List could vote 2
or 3 MFI's that have an interest. How this vote could be done....I don't
know, but I am sure with all the brilliant minds that this List has, that a
great suggestion is out there. These would be the people that the rest of
the List would contact (via another email) when a fraudulent situation takes
place. Now the rest of the List is not exposed to any allegation. The MFI's
would research the history of the suspected Dealer/Seller in a fair timely
fashion and communicate with the other 2 MFI's of their findings. Finally if
the situation is found to NOT be fraudulent, the MFI's need only contact the
person that thought fraud was taking place and explain their findings. Now
all is calm on the List. If however the findings show fraud (several very
strong circumstantial evidences could warrant fraud) Then the MFI's could
officially announce this to the List! Though the IMCA does something
similar, not everyone on this List is a Member of the IMCA. It would be
beneficial anyways, in having 2 entities helping to combat the destruction
of our collections and reputations as meteorite collectors, sellers,
dealers, and hunters, especially since the Meteorite Central List doesn't
appear to be going away for a very long time if ever. Maybe a bi-monthly or
monthly email to the entire List as a reminder of who to contact (MFI's) if
fraud is suspected. We need to all watch our backs. It will only get worse.
Lets not allow differences between dealers and or mistakes stand in the way
but rather concentrate on the benefit for all of us, to rid of this pandemic
air borne disease of meteorite fraud. This hurts every single collector on
this List, whether I like you or you don't like me bla bla bla...the bottom
line is we have a common interest and that is the love of this great hobby.
Lets protect it. Just my 2 cents is all. I know it sounds silly, but the
bottom line is Al is right, and somehow we need to stomp out these "greedy
meteorite flea fakes!" Say that 3 times fast! It's FAKES not FLAKES lol
Sincerely Don Merchant Founder-Cosmic Treasures Celestial Wonders
http://www.ctreasurescwonders.com/index.html
IMCA #0960
----- Original Message -----
From: "al mitt" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Cc: "Chris Spratt" <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 7:57 AM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Scam Artist - Joel Samson -FakeLunar
Meteorites
Hi Gary, Greg H., Chris and all,
Two names have come up recently as scammers. Joel Samson and Todd Parker.
We
also know of another guy from the Chicago area that is a fraud. What I
would like to see is a list of people and companies that are known to
be selling fakes, mis-representing material and so forth. I am not
talking about someone who has made a mistake.
In order to qualify, the person or company in question would have to
have evidence that would support their efforts to be purposely doing
something wrong. I wouldn't want a witch hunt or dealers who don't
like other dealers, trying to put people on this list. I know this is
probably going to open a can of worms BUT it is important to know
suspect con artists, frauds and people and companies who are just not
getting the fact we don't like our collections messed up.
Does a list already exist? If not it sure would be nice to have one
that could be shared with the collecting community from time to time.
Other input appreciated.
--AL Mitterling
----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Fujihara" <[email protected]>
To: "Chris Spratt" <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 3:41 PM
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Scam Artist - Joel Samson - FakeLunar
Meteorites
I've asked the administrator of the Meteorites group on Facebook to
remove this person from the group. Hopefully this will put a damper
on his shenanigans, but probably nothing short of legal action will
make him cease and desist.
gary
On May 11, 2011, at 8:50 AM, Chris Spratt wrote:
Never was my friend on Facebook yet he managed to post things in a
group I belong to. Is there a way to unfriend someone from a group?
Chris Spratt
(Via my iPhone)
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Gary Fujihara
Big Kahuna Meteorites (IMCA#1693)
105 Puhili Place, Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
http://bigkahuna-meteorites.com/ http://shop.ebay.com/fujmon/m.html
(808) 640-9161
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