Osteology specific PSA: Don't buy equipment from Paleo-Tech. A bunch of us are currently looking into what the heck is going on with this company that used to supply specialized equipment for measuring human skeletons.
I've heard from folks who haven't gotten orders placed months ago. A quick check of the BBB website has an F rating and several unresolved complaints against Paleo-Tech.
bbb.org/us/il/crystal-…
bbb.org/us/il/crystal-…
It appears the company may have been sold some time in late 2017, from James Kondrat (who would go to the AAPA meetings, etc.) to one Kevin Fraser. But there are no working phone numbers, only street address and email for contact information on the site.
paleo-tech.com
paleo-tech.com
The site, however, is still taking online orders. (Although no merch is on Amazon anymore.) Charging credit cards. And not delivering merchandise. So, while a few of us look into this to try to figure out what the heck is going on, just don't order anything from Paleo-Tech.
There might also be a connection with investments in a medical marijuana dispensary -- hanover.wickedlocal.com/news/20171003/….
AFAICT, there are no patents on Komdrat's anthropology specific measurement devices. Which should mean a potential business opportunity for someone who DOES want to set up shop selling high-quality tools to anthros with grant money.
In conclusion, seems we as a subfield have relied far too much on standardized pieces of equipment made by one guy in one shop. We probably shouldn't do that going forward if we're interested in replicability in our science.
@ThreadReaderApp unroll
Adding to the end here: Paleo-Tech is based in Illinois. In looking at the FTC website, it suggests contacting the state attorney general. Here's the form on the @ILAttyGeneral website for doing that - ccformsubmission.ilattorneygeneral.net. It's ridiculous how many of us have been scammed.
