Novice Buyer. Where Should I Buy Dinosaur Fossils On-Line?

[BenLinus]

Hi everyone,

This is my first proper post on the Fossil Forum and I would like to ask a question concerning on-line fossil stores.

I am hoping to purchase some dinosaur fossils on-line (specifically Raptor and Spinosaurus) and I was hoping that you may be able to provide me with some advice.

I don't want to fall into the trap of buying fake fossils, so I am being ultra cautious and avoiding places such as Ebay.

Can anyone tell me where I should be buying on-line. I've browsed through Paleo Direct but I'm not sure if it's entirely genuine (forgive my ignorance) and I was recently on the UKGE store but the low prices and lack of pictures make me question the authenticity.

I would be immensely grateful if anyone can help me.

Thanks so much : )

[Auspex]

Please consider Fossil Shack: LINK

Seth is highly knowledgeable and scrupulously honest.

There are other worthies out there too, and hopefully other recommendations will ensue.

[BenLinus]

Please consider Fossil Shack: LINK

Seth is highly knowledgeable and scrupulously honest.

There are other worthies out there too, and hopefully other recommendations will ensue.

Hi there

Thank you so much for your kind advice and reply, it is really appreciated. I'm going to explore the Fossil Shack right now and see what treats are on offer.

Thanks!

[Taogan]

I would say don't dismiss UKGE because of price, they sell cheap fossils because they don't inflate the prices and they have a high turnover of Moroccan material. There are plenty of other reliable dealers, the thing to look for is a dealer that you can find again. If they have a shop or a proper address it is a good sign, you know where to find them. Fossil Shack is a good, reputable American dealer so if you buy from them you will get a bit of a surprise from HM customs and Revenue, import duty on top of international shipping costs, reputable dealers don't fudge customs forms. If you want a really specialist fossil only available from them then go ahead, last lime I looked they had a complete hadrosaur at just under half a million, I went straight out and bought a lottery ticket, didn't win so they might still have it Anyway if you want something more modest and without international shipping costs there is a nice fossil shop in Rochester that does online sales as well http://www.idigdinos.com/ Terry there can get you a more affordable dinosaur, I think his start at about £3000, but there are always bits, like teeth or single bones, cheaper. I got my daughter's Christmas Dino Teeth from him and I liked them so much I got another set for myself

Edited February 18, 2014 by Taogan

[Paleoworld-101]

I can put you into contact with a friend of mine who is the number one seller of Moroccan dinosaur teeth (Spinosaurus, Raptor, Carcharodontosaurus etc) if you like, he is the guy that most dealers go to for their own material so buying directly from him eliminates the 'middle man' and gets you the best price. He is also very knowledgeable and honest with regards to repair/restoration. PM me if you like and i'll give you his email.

[BenLinus]

Taogan, thank you so much for your informative reply!

As a novice, information like this from an expert buyer is so very welcome. I was a little concerned by the low prices on UKGE but I was also intrigued because they have a few Spinosaurus teeth, which I would love to buy. The Fossil Shack has so many great items but customs has been on my mind and I'm afraid that I might end up with a big bill. I've been hoping to find a dealer in the UK so I'm definitely going to check out the Rochester fossil shop!

Thank you so much for your kind and thorough advice Taogan; it's great to hear from people with first hand experience and I can't wait to start exploring the link.

[BenLinus]

I can put you into contact with a friend of mine who is the number one seller of Moroccan dinosaur teeth (Spinosaurus, Raptor, Carcharodontosaurus etc) if you like, he is the guy that most dealers go to for their own material so buying directly from him eliminates the 'middle man' and gets you the best price. He is also very knowledgeable and honest with regards to repair/restoration. PM me if you like and i'll give you his email.

Thanks so much PaleoWorld for your brilliant reply! That sounds absolutely terrific, I'm really hoping to purchase a few Spinosaurus and Raptor teeth, and I would be thrilled to talk to your friend if possible.

Again, I can't thank everyone enough for their kind responses to my questions.

I'll send you a PM now

[Kman100]

I'm sending you a PM

[ukll]

Another vote for Idigdinos in Rochester, my girlfriend is originally from Maidstone so we go there whenever we go to see her family, Terrence is really friendly and will always give you a good deal, I could spend ages in there just chatting and browsing, if he hasn't got it in the shop he's probably got it in storage somewhere or he can get it for you!

In terms of websites, I've used: http://www.fossilsforsale.co.uk and http://www.fossils-uk.com/Welcome.html both of which I cannot fault, the latter isn't the cheapest but they often have unique fossils that you don't see for sale elsewhere in this country, I met Byron at the Essex Mineral and Fossil Show last week and he's a top bloke, obviously I had no choice but to purchase a Gomphotherium tooth, Woolly Rhino jaw and Cave Lion toe bones off him

Definitely don't neglect the shows either as there's always loads of retailers and bargains to be had, the Oxford Fossil & Mineral Show is on the 9th of March and I would be there if it wasn't the mother-in-law-to-be's birthday, wish I had remembered that before I booked the day off work

Edited February 19, 2014 by ukll

[Pliosaur]

If you want to find a fossil dealer in the UK I would most certainly recommend: www.fossilferous.co.uk because the dealer is very helpful and offers many cool and interesting fossils for sale. Check it out if you want!!!

Warm Wishes,

Gabriel

[Down under fossil hunter]

If you want to find a fossil dealer in the UK I would most certainly recommend: www.fossilferous.co.uk because the dealer is very helpful and offers many cool and interesting fossils for sale. Check it out if you want!!!

Warm Wishes,

Gabriel

Second that.... I have purchased from Fossiliferous a few times and they are a great company to deal with.

[lee_fossils]

http://www.pastimpressionsfossils.co.uk/

Interesting pieces for sale and have a good rep for selling genuine specimens

[Troodon]

You may also want to check out Fossilgrove he is located in Ireland

[-Andy-]

http://www.indiana9fossils.com/default.htm - Has one of the biggest selections of fossils you will find in the world. Owner Merv is friendly and helpful.

http://www.extinctions.com/ - High quality fossils.

https://www.fossilsplus.com/store/ - Good selection of fossils, reasonable prices.

[aplomado]

Fossilera.com is good, but I don't know if they ship the UK, they are in the USA.

[LordTrilobite]

Spinosaur teeth is fairly easy to find. It's not often faked and pretty easy to recognise. Be careful of overpriced teeth though. Many inflate the prices to a ridiculous level.

 

Beware of raptor teeth online though. There are many teeth sold as raptor that are from totally different theropods. For example Abelisaur teeth from Kem Kem are often sold as raptor due to the similar size and some similarities in shape.

The main thing about raptor teeth that makes them identifiable is that they are recurved and the serrations on the back of the tooth are generally larger than those in front.

[Ridgehiker]

I can't comment on dino fossils from outside of North America.  However, several specimens of Cretaceous dino fossils on the above sites are misidentified. Unfortunately these specimens get out into the public and the wrong identification perpetuates when collectors compare finds to these photos, etc.

[Fossilgrove]

On 7/18/2014 at 3:59 PM, Troodon said:

You may also want to check out Fossilgrove he is located in Ireland

Thank you for the positive comment,its greatly appreciated. 

 

[Kaiju Slayer333]

Hold so is UKGE a safe place to get fossils?

[JohnBrewer]

On 15/01/2018 at 3:37 AM, Dude who wants Dino fossil said:

Hold so is UKGE a safe place to get fossils?

Yes

 

On 18/02/2014 at 2:04 AM, Taogan said:

import duty on top of international shipping costs,

No import duty on fossils (and MOST antiques) but you will be charged VAT on the value and shipping costs. If you are charged import duty you can reclaim it. 

[Kaiju Slayer333]

Well that’s good to know

[Troodon]

On 1/14/2018 at 7:37 PM, Dude who wants Dino fossil said:

Hold so is UKGE a safe place to get fossils?

What do you mean safe ?

[Kaiju Slayer333]

8 hours ago, Troodon said:

What do you mean safe ?

I mean you can get actual fossils and get the ones you want, when you pay.

[Troodon]

8 minutes ago, Dude who wants Dino fossil said:

I mean you can get actual fossils and get the ones you want, when you pay.

Well then there are no safe sellers of moroccan material especially when it comes to dinosaurs.   

[Kaiju Slayer333]

Just now, Troodon said:

Well then there are no safe sellers of moroccan material especially when it comes to dinosaurs.   

Well the website does have plenty of fossils not from Morocco. So would it be a safer bet to focus on those fossils more?