If you need, say, some Platinum for something, be careful to read the listing thoroughly for loopholes.

In regard to this, I bought 1 foot of what was advertised to be 98% Platinum/Tungsten wire; also "thin."  What does "thin" mean?  He gave no wire gauge or measurement.  "Thin" could be thick as a brick, if I were comparing it to the Empire State Building. He answered my eMail with only "pretty thin."

 Also, check the pictures, if any.  This photo made it  look like 1/8" aircraft cable, so much of it was wrapped in a coil near a screwdriver.  And, the photo was not clear. 

It also said "no refunds".  I then purchased one foot for about $54.  Another eBayer emailed me that this was a ripoff, the wire was about "as thick as a pubic hair"; he had gotten threatening, all-capitol letter replies to his complaints, etc.  On some websites, all capitols will get you booted off, as it is considered shouting.

It was too late.  I got one foot, alright, of about 44 ga. wire.  I couldn't measure it even on my micrometer.  The seller had described it as "custom made for a lab, and very expensive new".  That matters not.  Here is the gist of my review--when someone buys wire, etc, not jewelry, surplus from someone else, it is now SCRAP.  It doesn't matter HOW MUCH the wholesaler paid for it to be custom made. I took the wire to a jeweller.  At about $700 per troy oz. (at the time), he said I had about one gram--about $8 worth, scrap value.  

I  wasn't even sure if it WAS Pt.  It could have been Nichrome, or some other alloy. I had to test it myself with Aqua Regia, and, yes, it was Pt. Otherwise, I'd have threatened mail fraud.

 I needed some to carry a few amperes for an experiment, in which case I'd need several feet to work.  This thin wire was too small for even bead tests. I had just turned down Elemental Science's price of  $3.99 per inch for 30 gauge (almost twice as thick for the same price.)

I was also told that this seller had given one refund, after several eMails and threats of the B.B.B.  I had tried to go through eBay, but they did nothing. Now, after many insulting eMails recieved from the seller, I notice he has cooled his jets. Perhaps eBay came through, after all. He still sells this at a ripoff price, but his listing is written more clearly, and the one strand of wire you get is shown measured, with a wire gauge indicated.  I have noticed, though, his eMail complaints are now replied with: "I'm in a wheelchair, it's hard for me to get to the Post Office", and other rot.

This wouldn't have been so bad except I am on a fixed income, and can't afford a ripoff.  There was another seller listing 1/8" Pt plated Iridium rods, brand new, about $55 each, which would have worked in  the first place.  He has 99% POSITIVE feedback over them. Wire, etc, for a scientific/technical use is not like jewelry--it must be the right gauge, etc, or it won't work.  That ripoff seller should be forced to realise this.