Is something like this a complete waste or a scam?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Colorado-Mining-Cl...=p2054897.l4275

Being as this is unpatented it is a damn good question! I'll be watching for our current claim owners response. sorry I don't have an answer.

Research it and find out. I know the area, and it's got gold. May not be a lot of it, but it's there. I suggest that you talk to the current claim owner and see if they'll allow you to test pan a few spots there. For the price, I'd say it's not bad, however...there could be complications. I don't know if those pics are of the site specifically or not. And it may be a good idea to talk with Dan about it as I think he knows that area, too. Perhaps out of curiosity ask the USFS hydrologist about the water?

In the "fine print" it does state the pictures may be representative of the area, but not specifically from that claim. That seems kinda sketchy... buy the claim expecting that awesome flowing creek and find out there is no good water flow in your section

So it is legal to buy the rights to an unpatented claim?

Jay, I see at least a dozen red flags reading this for sale ad!! I'd say it's probably a scam! Hold onto your $$ and look for something else.

Jessie, yes it is legal to buy a location claim, they are real property in every sense that can be bought, sold, leased etc.
Unfortunately there are many scammers out there paper filing and then selling claims. Buyers beware when looking to buy location claims.

Whew, I'm in the wrong market!

Naw Jessie, you'll be fine, you're in the right club to learn that market!! Contact me anytime, I'm always happy to assist club members with claim staking questions or claim questions and reviews. Knowing how it works in real life helps thin out the one may encounter before they get taken for $$ rides.

Much obliged!

Interesting - Emss, Inc is a travel agency in Florida with 2 employees, at the address indicated on the claim form...

https://www.blm.gov/workspace/ihtml/OpenDoc...isSmartcut=true

Found Emss, Inc here:

http://www.corporationwiki.com/Florida/Orl...nc-5007842.aspx

Interesting thing, though - there is an EMSS, Inc (or EMS, Inc) that specializes in mining claims, but I have yet to pin down the address - I do not think this is legit.....

I would call the EMSS in Florida and ask if they have a claim for sale on EBay.... or are related to Earthly Mineral Solutions, Inc. If not - STAY AWAY! And even if they are - STAY AWAY! EMS was/is under investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Dooooh! Caveman for the win!!!!

Thanks for all the help, I have been trying to contact them with no luck. I figured to good to be true, I am going by there this weekend if I can find it.
I am so new to this, probably biting off a little more than I can chew. Maybe just become a member here so I can get my feet wet. There are so many rules it gives me a headache.
I want to go/be a prospector, for something that should be fun can be very overwhelming. There is just so much info you need to know and acquire.
The search continues

Jay, this is the place to learn and get help with your research.... many of the online ads for claims are traps to steal your money. I would visit that claim to see if there is a discovery marker, and corner monuments - from the pic's, that sould not be too hard to do. I strongly suspect that this is a paper claim, with no proper research done, or discovery made.

Like I said, do your research. I see red flags as well, but if you do the research on it you'll find if the red flags are legit or not.
In the pics I see locations that don't exactly seem like that area. Is that important? Yes.

Perhaps dan will agree or disagree with me on this, but this is what I see (though only partial)

1. Ask the seller for current accurate pics. If they want to sell, they'll provide them. If they don't, red flag!

2. Ask for the coordinates and consent to test pan. Again, if they want to sell, and if it is a valid claim, they won't have a problem with that. it's kinda like buying a car. Would you buy a car without taking it for a test drive? If they don't, red flag!
-BTW- Claim jumpers are out there no matter what. Advertised claim sales or not. They aren't the brightest, but they aren't stupid either.

3. Verify the claim with the BLM and the county. That's easy to do since the seller is providing the CMC# (CMC286829). Check, double check, and triple check. If they don't own the claim, who does? Working a claim you really don't own or have the right to work can be a really bad scene. And it is far worse if it's because you didn't do your research. If it doesn't check out, MAJOR NO-GO!

4. In this case an hydrologist is important. look at the water in the pics. Go to the claim and verify that. Personally, I'm not an ichthyologist, but I can't say I've seen very many fish in creeks with that kind of a problem. Look at the rocks. The pH and chemical content is a likely issue here. Even if there are fish present, I don't know if they'd be something I'd want to eat. Would you?

5. Be very careful, because the Waldorf are, last I knew, had quite a few patented claims. It has been a few years since I last looked at any maps of that area.

If one were so inclined to buy a good claim, would you or the others in the know here endorse any particular person/organization? I want to find my own, but the thought to buy has certainly crossed my mind.