There are some problems with grading dealers.  First is the wide range of
opinions on what’s good bad and otherwise.  Take ebay’s grading system for
example.  There’s the notorious group of PI shell dealer(s) whose fakes are
constantly being brought up on this forum.   Hundreds of buyers (collectors)
have had something good to say about them in the form of positive feedback.
The rest of us think these people are clueless.   How can we get a grade for
these dealers when there are all these different opinions?

Another problem with grading is emotion.  Few have stood up and given
negative feedback to the dealers of Cebu doctor’s wares.  How few of us can
take negative criticism and not strike back?  Many strike back out of anger,
i.e. the previous mentioned lawsuit threats of the past, and retaliatory
feedback of the present on ebay.  Dependant on what you feel you can lose
versus what might be gained by leaving negative feedback; often we choose
not to risk the loss.   I’m guilty of this, aren’t many of you?  Haven’t
many of you been burned on ebay?  Where’s your negative feedback?

A third problem is how do you rate a dealer who has sent you both good and
bad stuff?  A hit and miss guy that you’re not willing to give up on because
when it’s good, it’s good.

It seems to me it pretty much keeps boiling down to what most of us are
already doing.  Try a new dealer with a small enough investment that won’t
hurt to lose.  If you like the stuff, keep going as long as it’s good.

Shea




>From: marlo <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Conchologists List <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Grading Sea Shells
>Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 18:50:45 -0500
>
>This is starting to sound like some of you are serious about the benefits
>of
>posting dealer ratings.  And, many of you dealers appear not to be too
>opposed if it's done correctly.  It's got me almost motivated to suggest a
>mediated system (where all negative ratings must be explained and the
>dealer
>offered an opportunity to explain) and do it.  Note:  Let it be understood
>that traders are also dealers (trading = selling without an intermediary,
>highly negotiable promissory note; namely money), any if we're going to do
>ratings to facilitate integrity and warn collectors, then we should include
>all those active traders that also "sting" a lot of innocents.  But, then
>I'd rather be shelling or surfing.
>
>Marlo
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: marlo
>December 13
>
>To avoid lawsuits we could just have buyers anonymously rate their dealer
>experience F, F+, F++, G- or G (or 1- 10), and tabularize how many of each
>ratings a dealer receives on such factors as timeliness, packaging,
>accuracy
>of grading, resolving problems, etc.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Paul Monfils
>December 13
>
>"Instead of changing the way we grade shells, why not enlist
>a panel of senior conchologists to grade dealers"
>
>Actually this has already been attempted.  Some years ago a fellow
>published
>a booklet in which he graded dealers. Not long afterward
>the booklet ceased distribution, due, as I understand it, to threats of
>lawsuits.
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>[log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs
>To leave this list, click on the following web link:
>http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1
>Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and
>click leave the list.
>----------------------------------------------------------------------

_________________________________________________________________
Is your PC infected? Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee®
Security. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs
To leave this list, click on the following web link:
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1
Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and
click leave the list.
----------------------------------------------------------------------