Does anyone know if Tom can be reached while in PI? (phone or perhaps a
lap-top??)
 
He will not likely find too many "ridiculously low" prices on rare
shells, if what i have heard is true:  the shell-czars there (that is,
the dealers who sell to the general public and not to other layers of
local dealers) have become quite savy regarding the Retail value of most
rare shells, and try to get as close to retail as they can.  They have
also apparently become even more obsessed with repairing shells - in
some fiendishly clever ways!!  Even inexpensive spp are not immune- i
recieved a $7 Muricid a couple of years ago which had two repaired
spines!!  For them, a shell is just an object to make money from- so if
it can make more money repaired then natural...
 
 
Closing in on Winter in the Great White North,
 
Ross M.