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 They have numerous negative or withdrawn feedbacks.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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------