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I learned on the website of "Washington University in St. Louis" (https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/items/what_to_do/) that as long as I provide them with the chemical analysis report of my rock, they can provide meteorite identification . They suggested that I send the rock to Actlabs (https://actlabs.com/) for chemical analysis. Their reason is "I have no financial interest in Actlab, I only know they are doing a good job."
But I found out that I was deceived. For the same rock analysis work, Actlabs charges 10 times that of other companies. Actlabs wrote back to me: "Our Meteorite package is priced at $275.50 per sample."
After paying the service fee of this company, I learned from many companies that provide similar services that they only charge US$20-25 for similar services.
I don't know anything about Actlabs, nor do I know how Actlabs charges fees for its services. Just because "Washington University in St. Louis" announced on its website that meteorite identification is free, I followed the instructions of "Washington University in St. Louis" to send my rocks to Actlabs for chemical analysis.
What makes me even more angry is that Washington University in St. Louis does not provide any meteorite identification services with legal significance, nor does it provide consumers with any meteorite identification certificates. They just provide some kind of "opinions" for your reference. This so-called "opinion" is not legally binding. Washington University in St. Louis assumes no legal responsibility for its "Opinions." I feel deceived by them. If there is no guarantee from the authority of Washington University in St. Louis, and the promise of "free" meteorite identification from Washington University in St. Louis, I would not purchase any services from Actlabs.
The actions of Washington University in St. Louis made me guess: They and Actlabs joined forces to defraud consumers. Washington University in St. Louis used its academic authority to confuse consumers, and then let Actlabs charge consumers a service fee that far exceeded market prices. Then, Actlabs transferred part of the proceeds to Washington University in St. Louis.
This is a trap that can evade legal supervision. Since Washington University in St. Louis does not provide consumers with proof of meteorite identity, Washington University in St. Louis does not bear any legal responsibility even if the "opinion" that is told to consumers is wrong. Although Actlabs charges consumers high service fees, as long as the rock analysis data they provide is correct, they are not illegal. The only victim is the consumer, because the rock analysis report obtained by the consumer is a worthless waste paper. Actlabs's report is not a meteorite identification certificate. Unless the consumer obtains a meteorite identification certificate issued by Washington University in St. Louis. When consumers buy this kind of rock analysis report, they fall into a trap.
Therefore, please let Washington University in St. Louis make it clear to consumers on its website that they do not provide consumers with meteorite identification services that can bear any legal liabilities, let alone provide consumers with meteorite identification certificates. Washington University in St. Louis assumes no legal responsibility for the judgment of meteorites, whether right or wrong.
If Washington University in St. Louis cannot clarify the above facts, then I have reason to suspect that Washington University in St. Louis and Actlabs deliberately set traps to defraud consumers. According to the statement on the Washington University in St. Louis website: "During 2019 I was contacted 5893 times (average: 16 per day) by 2738 different people from at least 81 countries". If these 2738 people send rocks to Actlabs in accordance with the requirements of Washington University in St. Louis, if each person sends 5 samples for inspection on average, then each person will spend 275X5=1375 USD. Then Washington University in St. Louis and Actlabs will make a total profit of 3, 764, 750 US dollars, which is obviously a large amount. Even 10% of this amount, US$376, 475 is a large amount.
Since Washington University in St. Louis only provides meteorite identification services "for free" to consumers, they are not illegal. Although Actlabs provides very expensive analysis services, I accept this service voluntarily, so they are not illegal. Obviously, I cannot rely on the law to fight for justice for me. Therefore, my purpose of reporting to you is not to make up for my personal losses, but to prevent more consumers from being deceived.
In order to prevent them from continuing to deceive more consumers, Washington University in St. Louis must clearly inform consumers on its website that they cannot provide any meteorite identification of legal significance, let alone any meteorite identification certificate. Their "free" meteorite identification is just an "opinion." This "opinion" has no legal obligation, and no legal responsibility is assumed for its "opinion" whether it is correct or not.
If Washington University in St. Louis wishes to request a rock analysis report from consumers, they must explain the consumer that the report cannot be used as a meteorite identification certificate. They should explain in detail the purpose of requesting this report, as well as their basis and process for identifying meteorites. At the same time, they should clearly point out to consumers the average market price at which consumers purchase such rock analysis reports.
Consumers mistakenly believe that the rock analysis report provided by Actlabs is a meteorite identification certificate. It is this wrong idea that makes the consumer fall into the trap.
I implore you to rescue the deceived consumers.
