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Post by stoner on Feb 22, 2006 19:33:53 GMT -5
I sometimes wonder about myself. I went on an ebay buying spree a while back and yea, I got some nice rocks, but I probably paid too much for them, plus paid for shipping. So I was at my local rock shop today going through their $1/lb bin and found these- for a grand total of $6.50. some red and yellow moss agate about 5.75lbs not sure what these two are These cost less than the shipping on what I've been getting and they're just as nice. Ed
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drupe
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2005
Posts: 1,245
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Post by drupe on Feb 22, 2006 19:38:41 GMT -5
Ed.
Because you can't resist when you see a rock with potential.
And all rocks have potential. Am I right or am I right.
Pete
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Post by deb193 on Feb 22, 2006 19:39:21 GMT -5
Hey when you average across ebay and local purchases, you are still way ahead of some folks.
Nice moss, but I like the red/black/yellow unknown stone.
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Post by Cher on Feb 22, 2006 19:41:03 GMT -5
Oh Ed, shame on you for doing ebay when you can find those close to home. By the way, that orange and white one is really ugly, you should send it to me and I'll hide it in my basement. *smile* hehehehehe Ok Ok I'm lying, it's gorgeous, I can't wait to see what you make from it.
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Sabre52
Cave Dweller
Me and my gal, Rosie
Member since August 2005
Posts: 20,484
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Post by Sabre52 on Feb 22, 2006 19:54:25 GMT -5
Ed, Great buys! I'm with you. I always seem to find rock way cheaper than E-Bay at all the tailgate shows and rockyards plus it's more intertaining to take your squirt bottle and actually wet and handle the rocks before buying. When I think of the shipping I paid on my last 20# of E-Bay rocks ( around 25$) it really kills me as I coulda had another twenty five pounds of rocks if I would've just waited and bought in person. I think from now on, unless it's something that's unavailable at other venues, I'm going to stay out of the overpriced and competive E-Bay enviornment (*L* unless of course I happen upon a "REAL DEAL!")...mel
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Post by stoner on Feb 22, 2006 20:36:45 GMT -5
Yea, you're right Mel, except I didn't have a squirt bottle, so I just licked the small dark one. I couldn't stand it anymore, I had to see what that one looked like inside, so I did up a small cab. It's a bad pic, the sun was just going down and I had to put it where I could find the sun so I got a weird angle on it. But I like it. Ed
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Duckbean
fully equipped rock polisher
Looking for rocks in all the wrong places
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,072
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Post by Duckbean on Feb 22, 2006 20:41:34 GMT -5
Some of us aren't that lucky! The last time I went to the closest rock shop the prices were a joke!It's about 50 miles away and sells to the magical/mystical wealthy or just stupid as I call them. The only tail gate parties are for O S u and the only rock you can find is Rolling Rock! So around here it's Ebay or no way. No that's not true I've gotten a bit from members and by far it's the best way to go. That's just the price I have to pay for living in a under developed rock state. Wonder how I could convince Uncle Sam to start a rock enrichment program?
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gemmaster
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2005
Posts: 281
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Post by gemmaster on Feb 22, 2006 20:50:47 GMT -5
mel, that is essentially what i said to me only to me, it seems dumb dealing in an enviornment of sharks like those which abound there. is there any convoluted or confusing language in that statement?i think not. most e-bat sellers not all are way too overpriced same for sites like great rogh.com 10.00 a pound for graphic granite not rare not really what i would call a gemmaterial. i of course got some flak about the modern vs. the old ways of sales. you have the best deals from old geezers like you bought from after your ranch repairs. i have a source too also geezerville resident,crotchety, cantankerous but does he ever have good older rocks which if the pirates on e-bay and websites had then no one save a spend happy millionaire could buy it. just my opinion not being a multistarred god of multiple postings galaxy. gemmaster
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Post by LCARS on Feb 23, 2006 3:54:43 GMT -5
Well Stoner, maybe you should take your Ebay addiction over to the support group thread...?
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Post by krazydiamond on Feb 23, 2006 19:32:47 GMT -5
i have no local rock shop, really, no cool local rock (granite, granite. spam and granite), the cool peeps in here have given me the best rock, and still i look at eBay......
i'm an addict.
KD
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Post by deb193 on Feb 24, 2006 3:43:50 GMT -5
And Ed, lets be honest, you have no real intention of leaving ebay. If you needed a certain amount of rock and could organize a time to efficiently get what you needed from a local shop, that would be great. But you want rocks, you like having rocks, and I suspect, you enjoy the shopping for rocks. And ebay is one big shopping center. If you want, you can buy cool rough or a neat slab at 4am while wearing sweats and eating cold pizza.
Heck, I have fun just browsing listings, seeing the kinds of rock, and the variety of specimens, and might not even bid. Once upon a time this was called window shopping. Heck, even if I do bid and don't win the disappointment is offset by the knowledge that I enjoyed the shopping and it doesn't cost me a thing unless I get it for the price I set.
There will always be a place for rockhounding, rock yards, and rockshops. Long live the bargain bin! There will always be a place for the old geezer with old rock (?). There will generally be a time to get 20# lots sight unseen. And if and when I am able to travel to more rock shows or make a visit to TheGemSHop, I suspect I will buy a lot less on ebay for a while. But in the meantime, I can enjoy the shopping, and when I do get a DEAL, I can enjoy that too.
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Post by driftwood on Feb 24, 2006 8:56:48 GMT -5
Ed, that cab came out great. you could probably sell it on consignment at wenrics ( they take 25 percent ) and then buy more rock with the profit !
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Post by rocklicker on Feb 24, 2006 12:18:59 GMT -5
I agree deb193. I think rockshops and rockyards will always be around. Ebay is good for between rockshops/shows or when you want something unusual, but nothing will ever replace crusty rock shop caretakers and bargain bins. Good thing there is this community also for those not near a shop. I love reading the "look what (insert name) sent me" posts.
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Post by stoner on Feb 24, 2006 16:35:46 GMT -5
Okay, I admit, I browse ebay still, but I will be more selective on what I bid on. One of my recent buys was a case of deceptive advertising and I spent a bundle on a bunch of nice rock that I should have spent about 1/2 of what I did. The ad said Ocean Jasper, Botswanas, other nice rocks etc, and there were exactly 3 Bots and 2 ocean jaspers. I just need to be more careful. And in the meantime, I will be checking out the local shop for some good deals I can actually see and fondle before I buy.
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