Aloha Rich,
You should stay on your soapbox for explaining how it is. You're doing a
good job up there so far. The American Shell Dealers Association (I was a
member too) was a noble effort at the time. Im sure if we had web access
such as email & shell sites at that time that the ASDA would have prevailed
through instant communication between members. Maybe a revival is in order?

Aloha Guido,
Would you consider drawing-up parameters of what a "genuine" dealer would
be? Like Rich your insights are straight forward & much appreciated by the
honest lot. There's extra room for you on that soapbox too if you wish?

Aloha Shea,
I agree that there are a few on Ebay that take advantage of un-educated
collectors. They offer weekly listings of faked shells(baked, filled,
colored & enhanced). Most of the collectors here know who these people are
but are cautious not to mention names because of possible lawsuits. So how
to spot them? Check out the feedbacks. They have numerous negative or
withdrawn feedbacks. Constant remarks about wrong ID's. Also changed names
because of the bad reputation under the original monicker. Guido has a
excellent site on spotting faked shells which I highly recommend for all to
view. And I applaud you for bringing a few of the more extreme URL links to
our attention here!

Aloha Tom,
I love your insight on what constitutes a "established dealer". Could be the
start of a new thread?



Everyone here has great insight on grading shells & possibly the dealers who
offer them. Problem is everyone interprets a shell or dealer differently.
Until a established uniform system is implimented we just have to accept
each dealer & shell as unique & have to judge it as such through different eyes.
                                                         Mahalo!  CHRIS:)

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