Off-spec Slate and Shell Stones?

[glacier]

I've been doing some research on slate/shell stones over the past few weeks, and have discovered some off-spec listings on Ebay with significant discount. I'm not totally sure how something can be labeled as brand new, snow grade but then discounted as off-spec at less than half the normal retail price. What kind of imperfections can I expect with these products?

[sybob]

My first thought: don't do it.
Without knowing what kind of flaws and how many, you will regret purchase.

It can have many kinds of flaws.
- limited number of stones
- chipped stones, damaged stones
- mixed stones (snow, moon, standard)
- irregular size of stones (diameter, or diameter not correct)
- irregular shaped stones (too flat, too bold, not proper convex, sharp edges, etc.)
- discoloured stones
- etc.

[Galation]

Without knowing what kind of flaws and how many, you will regret purchase.

sybob is right, still I think that is worth asking, just in the case that it is Japanese material:
they are well known for very strict sorting and many people reported that they were not able to see the imperfections or that it didn't bother them in any way.

Galation

[Bonobo]

Maybe get in contact with or look in threads by user Erythen? He often offers “refurbished” Go gear, much of it of good quality (as far as I can tell), and he has recently opened a shop on eBay, IIRC.

[glacier]

Thanks for the replies. Erythen was kind enough to send me some images of what to expect. The flaws do seem significant on some of the examples he showed. I will probably pass on them given they are still rather pricey.