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Post by Mel on Nov 14, 2023 13:13:33 GMT -5
Where does everyone buy their rocks? Do you buy rough or just slabs? Do you collect any of it yourself? My rocks are a mix of self collected (very low value, average quality stuff), 2 old school rock collections (a wide mix of material) and the very rare purchase of tumbling material from a rock shop in Calgary. I've never bought anything online except for a beautiful piece from Tony & some petrified wood from oldschoolrocker (both were awesome to deal with, I might add). Next month or so I'll be selling off a fairly decent collection for a friend, and I'm trying to figure out where the best place is to get the most visibility that isn't eBay (their shipping, customer service and Paypal requirement leave a lot to be desired). Are Facebook auctions any good?
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gunsil
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2023
Posts: 325
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Post by gunsil on Nov 14, 2023 13:30:10 GMT -5
I live in NY state and there are good fossils to be found but mighty little cutting material for nice cabs so I buy a lot from ebay. Most of the gem shows in my area are all high retail Chinese junk and mineral specimens with very little in the way of slabs or rough. Seven years ago I drove the 2500 miles one way to Quartzite and ended up not really buying a lot simply because I didn't see a lot of more exotic slabs or rough. I find ebay is better than etsy for prices and customer service.
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Post by stardiamond on Nov 14, 2023 13:52:59 GMT -5
Facebook is number one, eBay is next and then Etsy.
Facebook has the best prices but has a smaller selection and worse searchability. Etsy slab and rough sellers are in a different universe. I was buying from Blairrock and some other standalone sites.
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Post by realrockhound on Nov 14, 2023 14:01:33 GMT -5
Here.
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victor1941
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2011
Posts: 1,979
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Post by victor1941 on Nov 14, 2023 15:16:42 GMT -5
I agree with real rockhound that selling on RTH is a good starting place. Start with a good(fair) price and you should be good to go.
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Post by realrockhound on Nov 14, 2023 15:35:03 GMT -5
I mean, just look jasoninsd he took my garbage off my hands for free 🤣🤣🤣
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Post by stardiamond on Nov 14, 2023 16:09:45 GMT -5
I usually don't sell slabs and when I did most of them were offered here. I am not interested in selling lapidary on eBay. It is the best place to sell slabs and rough because of the exposure. Anything I sell is to fund my hobby and I want it as simple and stress free as possible. Selling cabs on Etsy works for me. Facebook fullmoon, cabs and slabs the slab depot and creative slab connection is where I buy a lot of slabs. There is likely more exposure on FB than here, but I don't know.
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Post by realrockhound on Nov 14, 2023 18:53:46 GMT -5
If you’re feeling extra spicy, try Craigslist. Might be able to barter a tractor out of the deal. No joke, I’ve actually seen some good deal on rough on Craigslist. As well as lapidary equipment
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khara
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2022
Posts: 1,726
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Post by khara on Nov 14, 2023 18:54:25 GMT -5
I buy slabs and rough from ebay and etsy. I don't have a fb account and that's probably for the best. I'm probably missing out but as my husband keeps saying, I can't have ALL the rocks here at our house. :-( I agree with the above that this forum would be a great place! I buy from here and would give preference to RTH sellers over ebay/etsy.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 15, 2023 8:21:18 GMT -5
I mean, just look jasoninsd he took my garbage off my hands for free 🤣🤣🤣 I'm printing this out for my records!! Mel - I don't have a good answer for you if you're looking for an alternative to eBay. I buy most of my rough/slabs (the ones I buy! LOL) off eBay. I don't do Facebook at all...but I know a LOT of people do their selling on Facebook...however, my understanding is, there is NO protection whatsoever. Both eBay and Etsy do have some level of protection. (I know everyone has a horror story of how they didn't protect them in some transaction...but for the most part I think they do.) I will be watching to see where you do choose to do your selling!
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,681
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Post by Fossilman on Nov 15, 2023 11:12:38 GMT -5
I buy from local and friends that I know... They usually have a never ending supply.. I have sold on FB marketplace, TikTok and YouTube and of course on here ....
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Post by Mel on Nov 16, 2023 7:26:40 GMT -5
If you’re feeling extra spicy, try Craigslist. Might be able to barter a tractor out of the deal. No joke, I’ve actually seen some good deal on rough on Craigslist. As well as lapidary equipment Alas, I’m Canadian. Kijiji is comparable I suppose but I see very little lapidary on there.
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Post by realrockhound on Nov 16, 2023 15:06:52 GMT -5
I’m nearing selling some of my material off. Stuff getting organized and cleaned up finally. First material to go is junk pile material
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rockbrain
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2022
Posts: 2,513
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Post by rockbrain on Nov 16, 2023 16:35:04 GMT -5
If you’re feeling extra spicy, try Craigslist. Might be able to barter a tractor out of the deal. No joke, I’ve actually seen some good deal on rough on Craigslist. As well as lapidary equipment Are you going to offer it here?
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Post by realrockhound on Nov 16, 2023 16:40:18 GMT -5
If you’re feeling extra spicy, try Craigslist. Might be able to barter a tractor out of the deal. No joke, I’ve actually seen some good deal on rough on Craigslist. As well as lapidary equipment Are you going to offer it here? Will be the first place I start
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Tommy
Administrator
Member since January 2013
Posts: 12,653
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Post by Tommy on Nov 17, 2023 10:32:26 GMT -5
First material to go is junk pile material Why not just send that to jasoninsd?
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Post by realrockhound on Nov 17, 2023 11:04:09 GMT -5
First material to go is junk pile material Why not just send that to jasoninsd? I think he’s got enough good stuff at this point 😂 Fun fact, he wasn’t the only one who received material from me. I was over here playing santa in October
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Post by Rockoonz on Nov 17, 2023 14:29:20 GMT -5
Personally I have sold a little on FB, on the public days in the groups that Roy and Tony sell in. Instagram works well for some also.
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Post by jasoninsd on Nov 18, 2023 8:41:56 GMT -5
First material to go is junk pile material Why not just send that to jasoninsd ? I like the way you're thinkin'! LOL I think he’s got enough good stuff at this point 😂 Fun fact, he wasn’t the only one who received material from me. I was over here playing santa in October I don't like the way you're thinking though!
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