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Post by Mel on Oct 15, 2020 11:16:22 GMT -5
I was just bumming around the internet and found this ad. Curiosity killed the cat. No way am I going to be buying $22K worth of rocks but I'd like to enjoy my fantasy for a little bit anyways. Seller states $8,000 worth of cut slabs. In NO WAY am I knowledgeable or experienced enough to say how accurate that valuation is. I can make out agates, pet wood, jaspers.... hoping someone can weigh in and educate me. What do you think the value would be? What do you see that you'd buy? Any hidden gems? |
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Post by stardiamond on Oct 15, 2020 13:58:53 GMT -5
I believe I have considerable expertise on this subject. First of all, the estimate will be seriously inflated. The two things I buy the most of are rocks and cigars. Cigars are frequently sold as samplers with a lot of different cigars and a heavily inflated MSRP and a heavily reduced price. The actual value is the total cost and the cigars that I would enjoy. I know exactly what I am getting and can do an evaluation.
Rough and slabs are the same. Rough is a gamble because the yield is not known. A listing of an assortment of slabs with good pictures and descriptions makes it like a cigar sampler. The value of the slabs is based on the ones I can use and I'm very picky. There is a huge difference in the valuation of a slab based on pattern, thickness and defects. I rarely buy slab assortments on the internet because good material is sold individually. I don't like buying or selling flat rate boxes. When I have material that I won't use, I sell individually or for only the cost of shipping.
For this volume, in person inspection would be mandatory and then would be pennies on the dollar and a market to resell. People do well buying and reselling collections. Knowing the seller is also very important. Buying a blind sampler from hookedonrocks would never be a bad idea.
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Post by Mel on Oct 15, 2020 14:49:40 GMT -5
Thanks stardiamond ! I was hoping you would chime in. Trying to build my knowledge base as quickly as I can and these forums are invaluable. I've still got a LONG way to go, which is why I was curious if there's any real value here at all (aside from time spent and the investment in the blades to cut it all). I'd love to buy it all and split it up, just for something to do (because I have so much free time right?), but sadly, there is no overflow of cash in my wallet. I hadn't even considered the angle of the best stuff being sold on it's own. Beauty is in the eye and all that, but a buck is a buck. You're not getting something for nothing unless someone somewhere is getting nothing for something. What would you think a lot like this would be worth, assuming it's all just average quality? |
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Post by stardiamond on Oct 15, 2020 15:14:27 GMT -5
To me, average quality, nothing. What gets attention when selling is special. I buy rough from people on this board and a lot of slabs on ebay and a few smaller sites. There are still deals to be found on ebay. Know what you are looking for and keep searching. I make cabs and an attractive slab doesn't mean that will make interesting cabs. I look for patterns in a slab that look interesting. Faced, small rough also presents opportunities. I bought this on ebay for $7. It was combined with another item, so about $10 delivered.  The picture is the listing picture and the lot weighs 100 grams. I don't like the picture so there is some risk about what is there. Good pictures are very helpful. I see at least two nice cabs. Take a look the Morrisonite listed on ebay, patterns and cost. This looked like a good buy. I have to spend time to make slabs but I have time. I can't make ugly slabs better. The package is sitting in my mailbox. |
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Post by Mel on Oct 15, 2020 16:10:26 GMT -5
For some reason your photo doesn't want to show. I checked out your Etsy shop though. WOW. So much beauty!!
I can't make ugly slabs better either! Though, right now I can't make any slabs but my blade will be here next week.
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Post by stardiamond on Oct 15, 2020 16:29:57 GMT -5
I host my pictures using imgbox and it has issues. I'll try another way.  |
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Post by stardiamond on Oct 15, 2020 18:16:55 GMT -5
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Post by jasoninsd on Oct 15, 2020 20:23:38 GMT -5
I believe I have considerable expertise on this subject. First of all, the estimate will be seriously inflated. The two things I buy the most of are rocks and cigars. Cigars are frequently sold as samplers with a lot of different cigars and a heavily inflated MSRP and a heavily reduced price. The actual value is the total cost and the cigars that I would enjoy. I know exactly what I am getting and can do an evaluation. Rough and slabs are the same. Rough is a gamble because the yield is not known. A listing of an assortment of slabs with good pictures and descriptions makes it like a cigar sampler. The value of the slabs is based on the ones I can use and I'm very picky. There is a huge difference in the valuation of a slab based on pattern, thickness and defects. I rarely buy slab assortments on the internet because good material is sold individually. I don't like buying or selling flat rate boxes. When I have material that I won't use, I sell individually or for only the cost of shipping. For this volume, in person inspection would be mandatory and then would be pennies on the dollar and a market to resell. People do well buying and reselling collections. Knowing the seller is also very important. Buying a blind sampler from hookedonrocks would never be a bad idea. A lot of wisdom right here... +1 for you stardiamond ! |
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Post by Mel on Oct 15, 2020 22:17:47 GMT -5
That is gorgeous!!!!
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Post by stardiamond on Oct 15, 2020 22:59:11 GMT -5
The items totaled $22 including tax and shipping so it pays to spend time looking. The slab was not polished but the side photographed was coated to show what it would like polished.
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Post by rmf on Oct 16, 2020 3:42:58 GMT -5
What strikes me about the ad is a total dearth of images. No shots of hardware, only slabs from a distance, If you want $22K then show me what you think is the best you got that makes it worth it. When you buy a big collection like that "as a business" you are taking the cream and the junk. You are entitled to a wholesale price since it is a business transaction.
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herb
spending too much on rocks
Member since November 2011
Posts: 472
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Post by herb on Oct 16, 2020 9:30:55 GMT -5
I'm no expert but looking at the pics it seems to me the 22k value is the end of the rainbow retail value. They really need more pics especially of the equipment in those crates.
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Post by rockjunquie on Oct 16, 2020 11:04:00 GMT -5
Not that I could get it, (Canada) but I would love to go through it. I wonder if the collection is as old as he says?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2020 19:28:41 GMT -5
I believe I have considerable expertise on this subject. First of all, the estimate will be seriously inflated. The two things I buy the most of are rocks and cigars. Cigars are frequently sold as samplers with a lot of different cigars and a heavily inflated MSRP and a heavily reduced price. The actual value is the total cost and the cigars that I would enjoy. I know exactly what I am getting and can do an evaluation. Rough and slabs are the same. Rough is a gamble because the yield is not known. A listing of an assortment of slabs with good pictures and descriptions makes it like a cigar sampler. The value of the slabs is based on the ones I can use and I'm very picky. There is a huge difference in the valuation of a slab based on pattern, thickness and defects. I rarely buy slab assortments on the internet because good material is sold individually. I don't like buying or selling flat rate boxes. When I have material that I won't use, I sell individually or for only the cost of shipping. For this volume, in person inspection would be mandatory and then would be pennies on the dollar and a market to resell. People do well buying and reselling collections. Knowing the seller is also very important. Buying a blind sampler from hookedonrocks would never be a bad idea. lol |
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RWA3006
Cave Dweller 
Member since March 2009
Posts: 4,612 
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Post by RWA3006 on Oct 20, 2020 8:51:03 GMT -5
I bought the inventory of a closing rock shop several years ago. Sellers tend to add up the already in place asking price of all the inventory and want that amount. Not so fast, asking price does not equate to selling price in the real world, plus all that inventory sitting there is stuff that previous customers have rejected. A financially smart way to look at the purchase is it has to be pennies on the dollar just to buy a bunch of dregs that everyone has already rejected.
In reality a lot of slabs are good for nothing but to be busted up and used for tumbling rough.
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Post by stardiamond on Oct 20, 2020 20:22:14 GMT -5
Each situation is different. There's a current eBay seller that took over the inventory of another seller. Very nice material and is going for good prices. The number one rule is know what you are buying. A ton of rock is a ton of rock. I'm a small time buyer and will sometimes buy 20 pounds of rough of one particular material. I slabbed it and ended up with 3 pounds of slabs. My expectation of the yield influenced what I would bid. If I factored my time into the equation I wouldn't be buying very much.
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Post by stephan on Oct 20, 2020 22:42:38 GMT -5
I think we all agree that the asking price is high. From the seller’s perspective it makes sense. They will expect heavy bargaining — a low-ball offer to counter their high-ball. You don’t get 100% of what you don’t ask for.
You have heard the negative. Here are some positives. The collection is well-organized, in nice crates and clean. In all likelihood, most of the material will be IDed. The collections I’ve seen have mostly been a mess: mostly not sorted or identified, and often dirty. Stuff has been stored outside in rusty coffee cans and crates that stained the rocks. Sometimes this cannot be removed. Leaves and spiders are part of the haul.
As was mentioned, an in-person inspection would be mandatory, but easier than most.
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Post by rockpickerforever on Oct 20, 2020 23:35:02 GMT -5
You have heard the negative. Here are some positives. The collection is well-organized, in nice crates and clean. In all likelihood, most of the material will be IDed. The collections I’ve seen have mostly been a mess: mostly not sorted or identified, and often dirty. Stuff has been stored outside in rusty coffee cans and crates that stained the rocks. Sometimes this cannot be removed. Leaves and spiders are part of the haul. I'll second everything you said, stephan. Haven't been to any recently, but we have done quite a few rock estate sales over the years. Most rocks either are not labeled, or mis-labeled. Leaves and spiders not so bothersome, it was the rat shit in with the rough rock in the rusting 55 gallon steel drums that bothered me the most, yuk! But you can get some great old stock at pennies on the dollar. An inexpensive way to travel to locations you know you might never go to, for material that is rare or no longer exists. |
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Post by stephan on Oct 21, 2020 0:01:41 GMT -5
You have heard the negative. Here are some positives. The collection is well-organized, in nice crates and clean. In all likelihood, most of the material will be IDed. The collections I’ve seen have mostly been a mess: mostly not sorted or identified, and often dirty. Stuff has been stored outside in rusty coffee cans and crates that stained the rocks. Sometimes this cannot be removed. Leaves and spiders are part of the haul. I'll second everything you said, stephan . Haven't been to any recently, but we have done quite a few rock estate sales over the years. Most rocks either are not labeled, or mis-labeled. Leaves and spiders not so bothersome, it was the rat shit in with the rough rock in the rusting 55 gallon steel drums that bothered me the most, yuk! But you can get some great old stock at pennies on the dollar. An inexpensive way to travel to locations you know you might never go to, for material that is rare or no longer exists. The leaves and spiders don’t bother me too much either (as long as it’s not black widows). They and the rust can just make it harder to see what there is. And some rocks are permanently ruined by rust. However, the hidden treasures are twice as fun to find |
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Post by Mel on Oct 26, 2020 16:58:27 GMT -5
Well, I did it.
I did NOT buy anything yet. I convinced the husband to consider the trip itself an anniversary gift (it's 7 hours away from us) since seller sounds like they're getting more and more interested in splitting it up. I figure I'll bite. Now just waiting to see when our schedules align so I can go look.
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