Best advice for newbies is today, the same I was given over 25 years ago.
Place a few small sample orders with a few dealers and see which one, or
ones, provide the shells, service and value that make you happy. Do you want
a list? Do you want to travel to the shell shows to buy? Looking for special
shells, try special orders, most dealers will do what they can to help you.

Don't make a simple process that seems to have provided satisfaction to most
collectors over the last 40 plus years seem difficult. Ask around, sample
orders, and provided services that you like, like major credit cards
accepted. Discounts for large orders, flexible return policy. If these
matter, check who has what policies and programs that concern you.

We all make mistakes. I sent the wrong shell to a customer by mistake. I made
good on the mistake, but until and if, they place a future order, I won't
know how forgiving they really were.

Frank Walker

Gems From The Sea
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