Oysters

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NoelOlsen

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Dec 2, 2016
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I'm looking for a distributor for akoya cultured oysters with pearls inside in bulk
 
I urge you to read the following threads before proceeding any further. Freshwater pearls of low value are placed into a saltwater oysters, which are then killed with chemicals-- the whole point being to deceive buyers, making them think that the pearl was actually cultured in that oyster-- all in order to sell them finished jewelry made with those freshwater pearls. It is a disreputable business, and some trying to get into this business have been burned.

Read on:

https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?11002-Questions-About-Oyster-Opening-Pearl-Parties

https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?10920-Pearl-in-an-oyster-and-Lpearls-com-warning

https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?10787-Anybody-heard-of-Vantel-pearls

https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?10824-Where-to-purchase-wholesale-Akoya-round-Pearls-at-least-AA

https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?10853-What-exactly-is-the-quot-Maui-Divers-quot-scam-Is-any-of-their-jewelry-good

https://www.pearl-guide.com/forum/showthread.php?10871-Vacuum-packed-oyster-opening-parties-on-Facebook

We've had so many threads about this recently. I hope we can help some people avoid the business altogether.
 
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Is there some sort of pyramid selling operation going on? I got that email yesterday asking for sources and this is the latest to turn up on the forum?
Is this whole thing now a scam on top of a scam?
 
You'd think they would deliver and make a profit on the oysters too. Maybe it is more a way to show up in searches?

- Karin
 
I was starting to wonder the same thing...

pearlescence said:
Is there some sort of pyramid selling operation going on? I got that email yesterday asking for sources and this is the latest to turn up on the forum?
Is this whole thing now a scam on top of a scam?
Click to expand...
 
I've been poking around looking at some of the reviews and there seems to be a pattern. Most of the videos watched or blogs read basically had the same dialog and format. The business is rife with shill testimonials.

They start out by disclaiming they have no affiliation with any company. They claim to have done diligent research before making a decision to join. Then ask the question, is this a scam where in most cases they say no, then shift the burden of success upon diligent networking and little else. (reminds me of Glengary Glenross, where first prize is a new car, second prize is a set of steak knives and third place is you're fired) None of the reviews actually discuss the pearls themselves nor their artificial factory built cross-species of origin. The grading and appraisals are completely bogus, offered by uneducated neophytes. The "twins" thing is meant to appear as a bonus, but in reality is a carrot and stick scheme to up sell. They touch upon affordability and high quality in the same breath. It's like "house wine", where folks think they are being frugal, but in reality are paying HUGE markups far in excess of typical retail margins.

It's MLM (Multi-level marketing) which requires recruiting, brand loyalty, down line dependency, complicated incentives, unreal expectations and high investment costs. Unlike affiliate marketing where adopters do not need to recruit, make choices of product lines, are self-reliant on profits and have realistic goals.

The pyramid has become so broad recently, I suspect this will predominate in P-G's consumer Q&A for a while. Whether consumers wake up (which I doubt) or collapses under it's own weight.
 
And spreading across the internet like wildfires. Many of the sites, if not most, highly encourage you to come join the "party" and start your own "franchise" or independent "business" ... typical of pyramid schemes, home party selling plans etc. The original starters make money, run and disappear, and the downline adopters get stuck when inevitably it collapses, either because they all run out of friends and family to recruit, or buyers catch on to the inflated prices versus value and quality, and poof, gone ... till it comes back around again in one fashion or another.
 
Okay, with this new information I will alert Trading Standards and the media here. Pyramid selling schemes are illegal here - plus the descriptions breach the law.
 
JerseyPearl said:
Maybe it is time for the CPAA to start talking about some standards of practice? A code of ethics?
Click to expand...

That's an interesting thought. The Cultured Pearl Association of America Code of Ethics only has sway over their members. They are about education and promotion of cultured pearls and do not have the resources or desire to act as enforcers.

This is probably only the tip of the iceberg. Too bad we don't have the same consumer protections that the UK has. :)
 
Who would have ever thought that this pearl in an oyster thing would explode like this? When the novelty wears off, a lot of people are going to be caught with a lot of useless mollusks.

And what's up with all these lumps of clam? :confused:
 
Thanks Jeremy. I'll check them out. If they are claiming akoya pearls which are actually freshwater trading standards will be after them for a false description.
Anyone else who finds a uk operation telling lies, let me know
 
I know it is probably cynical to say this...but it all feels so dirty, dirty for many many reasons. :(
 
Thanks Jeremy. I've notified trading standards and a tv consumer programme. Whether they will act or not is, of course, another thing. I have just found a distributor company so I'll do some more and report back.
 
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