My latest adventure to Arizona proved to be my most interesting trip to date! I met more of the major players in the rock world which will allow me the opportunity to provide a wider range of materials yet. The basic strategy still takes precedence when purchasing any quantity of rock, however when making large purchases you may need to be a little more flexible with the quality. Many of the sellers will not allow high grading on large lots because this will leave them with sub-par material, a more difficult commodity to sell. When discussing volume sales work the deal to the best advantage keeping this in mind and the seller may be more accommodating or may even throw in several other items as a bonus for being reasonable.
Try and keep to a budget! It is extremely easy to become overwhelmed at the mass and the variety of material. Sellers will want to give you credit if you have dealt with them in the past. Before you know it you are well over budget. They know the shows are the best time to sell their wares to a captive audience, especially when the economy is in such turmoil. Think about this a moment, you have people ready to buy your merchandise, your best shot to set your income for the year is at hand and you have a return customer you trust. The decision becomes easy for the seller, extend a little credit now and have money coming in for the next few months. This is an excellent solution to the economic crunch, but this can be tragedy for the uninformed buyer. If you should default, you run the risk of losing a supplier and maybe a friend. Be vigilant of sellers you do not know or ones which are not readily accessible by phone or email or change the prices unfavorably during a sale.
Everyone should keep this in mind, as a buyer or seller you represent more than just yourself. I had one seller that said I could pick what I wanted and then started taking things back as I went to check out. I promptly left everything and bought from another dealer! Your actions can influence how the buyer or seller may react to the next customer and certainly will be discussed at the campfire later on. I always try to leave a buyer or seller with a feeling they want to see me the next time I pass by. This will also go a long way the next time you negotiate a deal with that buyer and possibly many of their friends.
Another tip to buyers which I strongly suggest you heed, is to deal with the owner of the booth and make certain you and the seller have a clear understanding of what is and what is not for sale. Some items are purchased by the seller at the show and may not be for sale; this can be embarrassing for both parties and often ends with someone being unhappy.
When in Quartzsite, stop in Prospectors Panorama and see the World Famous Quartz Museum, owned by Danny Duke an entrepreneur elite. Danny, Ashearah, and Ben are fabulous people and a wealth of knowledge as well as having some of the most magnificent Amethyst Geodes I have ever seen. Check upcoming articles to read more about how he got started and progressed to one of the largest importers of rocks in the United States.
In closing the link below will take you to a photo gallery of some of the beautiful material I purchased on this trip to Arizona. Have fun and “keep ona rockin me baby” as quoted by Steve Miller.
http://minermattersgazette.com/?page_id=3&album=6&gallery=6
A partial list of material purchased on my recent trip:
Opalized Australian Petrified Wood, Fossil Coral, Rolling Hills Dolomite, Rainforest Jasper, Extra Thick Tiger Eye, Blue Streak Tiger Eye, Dynasty Jasper, Exotica Jasper, Spider Web Obsidian, Chrysocolla, Peanut Wood, Tempskya Fern Wood, Dragon Agate from Brazil, Mookaite, Namibian Sodalite with Hackmanite, and AAA Grade Willow Creek Jasper!
Look for these and other high Quality rocks on:
http://www.dragonsayeauctions.com/shop.php?name=Dragons-Den&user_id=100002
