Online Crystal purchases and getting scammed

[Astro Logical 1]

I'm a fairly rural wizard
I shop online a lot
You might call me a lizard
Who consumes Ebay like pot.

The issue here is trust
And buying sight unseen
Often out of lust
For a crystals foreign glean.

When they show up in the mail
And a month should likely pass
Time gone like a snail
And crystals turned to glass.

It's not for lack of trying
To get the proper tool
I thought I would be scrying
But this mage is just a fool.

So my search is still in play
For a ball of magick sight
I'll be looking round on eBay
Bidding half the night.

And to those who take my money
And sold me only glass
May life just give you honey
But kiss my magick ass!

[T'a Nuk]

...

[SpiritTalker]

Is there any chance they sold you industrial, reconstituted quartz? It's real quartz shards that've been reheated under pressure, molded & polished. It is usually clear. I'd picked up a recon-qrtz with streaky color inclusions at the rock'n gem show for peanuts but the dealer told me what it was. I liked its feel OK but no goosebumps. Later I lusted after an 8" clear sphere from Amazon. Made in China & tastefully packaged in a silk-covered box. The description stated it's reconstituted. They get cold to the touch like natural qtrz. & still hold a piezo-electric charge; though not as "crisp" for gazing it still holograms (unless my brain sees double & triple) & reacts to a tap with a tuning fork.

[Astro Logical 1]

I used a quartz crystal shard to carve the word "Ebay" into the glass. The true test is hardness. And this specific purchase is just a big marble.
It's fine. It is what it is. It looks pretty but it's also like eating soup with chopsticks.

[SpiritTalker]

Oh. Those stinkers are a pain in the patoote.

[corvidus]

Have you considered buying from another site? I’ve never really trusted eBay. Also, make sure you rate the seller of fake goods very poorly.

[Astro Logical 1]

Have you considered buying from another site? I’ve never really trusted eBay. Also, make sure you rate the seller of fake goods very poorly.

Ebay has a decent money back guarantee. It's a wait but they come through if you get burned.
I have about a 7 to 10 ratio of good to bad purchases.
Just part of the business model for user listed auctions.
You can trust eBay. It's just sellers who can be a bit of a headache. But in the end you always get your money back if it was a bad seller

[corvidus]

Interesting. But personally I’d still rather buy from a reputable source, and actually get 10 out of 10 things I purchase, even if it may be a few dollars more.

[Astro Logical 1]

Like where? We have a shop here but they want rediculous prices for anything. I don't mind supporting local businesses but not when I know they're price gouging. Fair trade is good but taking advantage of people isn't something I can feel good about supporting.

Also the last time I was in my local shop I could feel the owner using magick on me to influence me to spend more. I blocked it. Declined to buy more than what I came in for and haven't been back since

[corvidus]

I’ve had good results buying gems and crystals from Etsy. Most of the people on there are small business owners. In fact, I think I buy most all my hard-to-find, hard-to-make magick supplies from people on Etsy nowadays.

Where I like to draw the line when it comes to internet shopping is first and foremost, I buy from small independent businesses. If I can’t find it from them, then I usually turn to the corporations like Amazon.

[Firebird]

I love the gem shows, there you will find knowledgeable people and good prices. And frequently at the end of a show they'll off load stuff for cheaper because they don't want to pack it up, lol.
Did you try the gem show finder? It's a sticky in this gem forum. I know you're pretty rural, so it might be a drive. Also see if you have a local rock hound club, those folks may have some sources. Most of those guys pick their own, but they know rocks!
Blessings, Firebird