Hi All, I've refrained from commenting on a recent development on eBay, mainly because the Conch-L'ers have been sharp enough to avoid a likely scam, but.... If you find a deal on eBay from a Chinese seller, read the description closely. If the person sounds like he knows a lot about shells, it's one of the honest sellers, and you will probably have no problems. But, if it's one of the sellers who has a description that sounds like he's selling an art object or antique, beware. There are many new sellers cropping up, all selling "shells" that have been sold on eBay recently. I don't know what you will get if you win the auction, but you definitely won't get the shell you think you are getting, if you get anything at all. The cheap starting prices and outrageous shipping are a good hint that you may not be dealing with an honest eBayer. Some of them have been kicked off eBay, but there is a new crop of them, probably the same sellers. The dark Cypraea miliaris and the unusual C. hungerfordi shown in the links below were both sold some weeks ago, by a legitimate seller, and within a few days these shells were "sold" by other Chinese sellers several times. You may bid in these auctions, and actually get some fantastic shells for your $40 worth of shipping, but I guarantee you won't get the ones shown in the photos, because those are already in American and European collections. Check these out: http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Great-seashell-cypraea-guttata-53-8mm-rare-she_W0QQitemZ300068714239QQihZ020QQcategoryZ4838QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Great-seashell-cypraea-guttata-53-8mm-rare-she_W0QQitemZ320069767523QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4838QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Great-seashell-cypraea-guttata-53-8mm-rare-she_W0QQitemZ220068391893QQihZ012QQcategoryZ4838QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/The-15-Great-seashell-cypraea-guttata-40-60mm-rare-she_W0QQitemZ300068706414QQihZ020QQcategoryZ4838QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/The-15-Great-seashell-cypraea-guttata-40-60mm-rare-she_W0QQitemZ320069766336QQihZ011QQcategoryZ4838QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/The-15-Great-seashell-cypraea-guttata-40-60mm-rare-she_W0QQitemZ220068392964QQihZ012QQcategoryZ4838QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Sea-shells-cowrie-seashell_W0QQitemZ170068950999QQihZ007QQcategoryZ4838QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Gem-great-seashell-fresh_W0QQitemZ180071282453QQihZ008QQcategoryZ4838QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Gem-great-seashell-fresh_W0QQitemZ300068707512QQihZ020QQcategoryZ4838QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/The-beautifull-sea-shells-cowrie-seashell_W0QQitemZ220068378807QQihZ012QQcategoryZ4838QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Good luck, Don ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------
