[meteorite-list] Question for dealers re: displaying sold items

From: Michael Gilmer <meteoritemike_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 22:59:52 -0400
Message-ID: <BANLkTinfPvwqvrxwvtxWP2vACSVJ_Cpj3A_at_mail.gmail.com>

Hi List,

Martin and Shawn raised a couple of good points. Old-school
collectors bought specimens via snail mail and telephone calls,
sometimes without seeing a photo of a specimen. Some dealers like Bob
Haag had catalogues with photos and descriptions, but many had simple
price lists with nothing more than a line or two describing the
specimen. Today, we have instant gratification and can shop online
for meteorites as if we are buying shoes or a hat. But, meteorites
are unique and unusual, so they are ill-suited for a quickie "drive
through" type of sales medium. Some of the newer dealers have very
nice and flashy websites that are quite effective, but much of the
meteorite world is still operating by it's own rules, so change comes
slowly.

Heck, I still buy the occasional specimen via snail mail and
price-list. I've bought specimens from Blaine Reed, sight-unseen with
just a brief text description and price. Not one time have I been
disappointed, and it's exciting to open the package and see the
specimen for the first time. It's a thrill one can't really get when
you have already seen a dozen hi-res photos from every possible angle
before receiving it in hand.

As for the dealers who still have archives or pages full of sold
specimens, I have no problem with it, if the specimens are marked as
"sold" on the website, and the website is updated on a regular basis
or semi-regular basis. When I can't tell which specimens are sold and
which are not, that can be frustrating.

Best regards,

MikeG

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Gilmer - Galactic Stone & Ironworks Meteorites

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On 4/12/11, Shawn Alan <photophlow at yahoo.com> wrote:
> I would say Dealers leave sold items on the website because it shows the
> buyers what they have sold in the past and also it builds up there
> reputation of their dealings in a since its a resume. If I went to a website
> and only saw a couple items that they have and nothing else I would think
> twice and would even think they are a small time player. But it can be
> discouraging that when you think you have found that meteorite and when you
> click on the image you see that its sold. That is the nature of collecting,
> but again, Anne Black said always ask. I have to agree on that too.
>
> Shawn Alan
> IMCA 1633
> eBaystore
> http://shop.ebay.com/photophlow/m.html
>
>
> [meteorite-list] Question for dealers re: displaying sold itemsMichael
> Mulgrew mikestang at gmail.com
> Tue Apr 12 19:21:29 EDT 2011
>
>
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> OFFERS & BIG SALE!
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> items
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>
> List,
>
> I am curious why almost every meteorite dealer's website displays
> specimens that have already sold right along side specimens that are
> in stock and available for sale? I do not know of any other market
> that does this; it is unique to meteorites in my experiences. As a
> collector/prospective buyer I do not see the upside to this practice.
> It does nothing for helping me find what I'm looking for; in fact it
> is counter productive when I am shopping for a specimen as it makes it
> more difficult to see what is actually available for sale. It's
> synonymous with looking for clothes in your size and every store has
> displays showing your size but not actually selling any clothes that
> fit you. Maybe a separate page for "Sold Specimens" would be more
> appropriate if there was a need that I am not aware of to display
> pieces that have already been sold? I look forward to becoming
> educated on this matter.
>
> Regards,
> Michael in so. Cal.
>
>
>
>
>
> Previous message: [meteorite-list] AD: AUCTIONS ENDING THIS WEEK- MAKE
> OFFERS & BIG SALE!
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> items
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Received on Tue 12 Apr 2011 10:59:52 PM PDT