[meteorite-list] Re: Apollo "Lunar" Sample

From: Bob Martino <martino.6_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Apr 22 09:47:09 2004
Message-ID: <v03130307b8108d5b4b45_at_[65.24.110.16]>

The problem with this auction is that the item is misrepresented. The
auction clearly states that it is an "Apollo 11 fragment." In fact it is
not. This is quite simply the definition of fraud. The seller might plead
ignorance, but to me this is no excuse. It is his responsibility to
faithfully represent what he's selling. There are enormous amounts of case
law supporting this view.

If you know what it is you are getting, then that's great. But even you
said that it was costing more than you thought. I propose that the
increased cost may be due to someone thinking it is a genuine moon rock.
And the auction is not over yet. This thing might go for many hundreds of
dollars.

I would encourage everyone on this list to e-mail the seller and ask him to
cancel the auction and re-list the item with a clear disclaimer stating
that it is _not_ a real moon rock. If he does not, then we should all
e-mail eBay about it (not that eBay actually cares about fraud - they just
want their percentage).

> Hello, as the current high bidder on the eBay item in question I
>thought I'd briefly give my point of view. Firstly, I do not believe this
>is an actual lunar sample. I bid on it as a unique piece of the US Space
>Program, probably from the 1970's. There may be some cynics who will view
>these words as an attempt to dissuade anyone else from bidding, but I assure
>you that this is my true motive for wanting to own this piece.
> I live near two casinos, when I visit them I am relieved of my current
>bid and have nothing to show for it. While I didn't think I'd have to pay
>as much for the sample as I may, at least I'll have something to show for
>it. I welcome any comments, private or public.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bob Martino Can you really name a star?
                                        http://home.columbus.rr.com/starfaq/
"This is how men behave when they
 believe they have absolute knowledge."
               -Jacob Bronowski (speaking from the ashes of Auschwitz)
Received on Thu 08 Nov 2001 02:36:33 PM PST