A string is broken out into lots.All the lots in a string are the same.
The lots consist of the number of pelts a manufacturer will need for a garment.
For example a string of 1000 identical marten will normally be broken down to lots of 150 pelts each,enough for a couple fur coats.Saves the big international buyer a ton of time and money compared to if he is buying ungraded/un lotted fur from trappers or fur buyers.
Lynx are around 20 in a lot
Top lots can be a small number of skins also.

What do string lots have to do with a final inspection? I’m confused about what you are posting. I understand completely how the grading process works, I don’t understand how your recent post addresses the question at hand.

Yes Therese Demers head marten grader mentioned random inspection not each string.
Also sample lot is indicitave of the string..

In theory, the sample lot represents the string. If grading is really tight, then the sample does represent the string. If grading isn’t tight, then it is any body’s guess what the string looks like. LOL

Why don't one of you guys that are so sure that the grade never changes go by a lot of fur. Take it home, resend it and see if it grades exactly the same.

Not a chance

Not one iota

Zilch

NADA

Grading fur is a lot like grading veneer and saw logs. When I got out of forestry school and purchased logs, the owner always said "grade and scale stay constant" price is what changes.

I have noticed sometimes when the hammer goes down on a lot in the string the next lot of the string may be bid up higher or lower, sometimes substantially so. I always wondered if the lot was quite different from the samples that they looked at. If it was the same sample for the whole string then that theory is wrong.

How many of your friends are BSers? And if you don’t know any graders, how many do you think would say, “this year, I’m gonna call this a semi pale instead of just a semi”. I could maybe see the country buyers screwing around like that….. or me unintentionally….lol.
I pay garbage for fur, and keep telling the few suppliers I got that they should put it up themselves and send them in because that’s all I’m gonna do. I also tell them what I got for their animals. I tell one guy, “I’ll give you $120 for those and hope to get $200ish”……. He says “no no no, just give me 40” and I have to force him to take $80…… not a bad problem I guess….lol

I think the shippers s that accuse FHA of this grading stuff got something against them, got ripped selling to someone else or just have issues (distance) dropping off with an agent and with they were in the club too…..lol

Carl - the buyers only see the sample lot in a string. The bulk lots are already packed for shipping. So your theory is wrong.

The price difference has to do with which buyer needs how many. It has to do with “up” “drop” “out”. Which is too complicated to explain in words. If our paths ever cross, I will explain it in person. It can get to be a 3 ring circus!! It is fun to watch.