High art, Art.  The best idea yet.  We buyers can rate the dealers and the
dealers can rate us buyers (you, know - the deadbeats)  I've been on both
sides of the table and would support both ideas.  Now, for a place to
publish the ratings and lists.  Can't do it here.  Maybe Scott will mediate
it at "Let's Talk Seashells" under "Dealer's Room."

http://s14.invisionfree.com/Conchologist_Forum/index.php?

Marlo
-----Original Message-----
From: Conchologists List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
[log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 9:58 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Grading Sea Shells

Ah! A new idea!  Instead of changing the way we grade shells, why not enlist
a panel of senior conchologists to grade dealers. Now wouldn't that be a
service to the collecting public?
       Art


--
PLEASE NOTE: My new, long-term, and correct email address is:
[log in to unmask] Please update your records!

---- Night Diver <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> The problem with shell grading is it’s direct connection to shell price.
> As Marlo points out the market will only pay for the top most ratings.
> Some dealers are driven to grade-up to make sales.  A few things can
> happen.  The buyer can be forgiving of a false grade if they find they
> like the shell enough to skip the hassle of returning it. Also there are
> many collectors that don’t recognize certain types of flaws and feel they
> got a shell accurately described.  Worse case scenario there’s a refund,
> but I suspect this is relatively rare. I would imagine there is an
> economic model from a business standpoint of what shells can be upgraded,
> and in what ways, to result in the maximum profits.  Although I would
> imagine this is a little deeper than many dealers think.  It probably just
> comes natural to them.  I always wonder when I receive a flawed shell that
> was claimed gem if the dealer doesn’t agree with my opinions on flaws, or
> if the shell was up-graded to make the sale.  Rarely do I go through the
> hassle of returning it.
>
> I would imagine only through education could a true grading system based
> on flaws be established.  Perhaps a book with photos detailing each type
> of flaw.  The flaw scale wouldn’t be 1-10; it would be 1- however many
> flaws there are.  Pretty simple, but it might ruin the innocence of some
> collectors.
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> [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.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[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.
----------------------------------------------------------------------