Bought a bunch of fret markers on eBay recently and thought I'd share my experiences. I'll be brief:
• Unless you crave disappointment, Don't buy from this seller: taisamlu on eBay - out of Taiwan.
Crappy Abalone dots
More crappy Abalone dots
The pics might look good, but the real things are total crap. Thin, flaky, full of holes, not round, edges are pitted and uneven. I really hate flaming people, but this stuff was totally lacking in quality. I'm curious to hear if anyone else has dealt with this eBayer. I should have given him negative feedback, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it (if for no other reason than it shipped fast). I should have at least settled for neutral.
On the opposite end of the spectrum...
• I've bought several items from this seller: guitarmakingstuff on eBay. Good quality but you will pay. Nice Abalone dots
• Also good stuff from: primegoods which sells mostly jewerly, stones & shell
• Definitely Buy from this seller: candy033 on eBay. They even have a website: MOP Supplies
I bought 100 1/4 inch abalone dots ($14) and 9 abalone blanks ($21) plus about $8 combined shipping from Australia. I'm no Craig Lavin, but to me they were stellar! At least as good as stuff I bought from guitarmakingstuff and Stew-Mac - probably better. The inlay blanks practically gave me a seizure they are so flashy. Absolutely no comparison to the garbage I got from Taiwan.
Awesome Abalone dots
Superb Abalone blanks
Their website says they will do custom cutting from a drawing or computer file. I'm going to try out their services soon on a headstock logo. I'll report back on the results.