Oh man, this reminds me of every "pics or it didn't happen" moment ever. Like when someone swears their dog can say "mama" but the second you pull out your phone the dog just stares at you like a brick. Or a coworker who claims they got cut off in traffic but somehow there's never a dash cam when it counts. I get what @valsullivan is saying, filming it does settle things, but it's also funny how the camera only comes out after the moment is gone. Maybe it's just me but people film everything now and still somehow miss the one thing they needed.

How did you handle compaction though, just bucket tapping or did you bring in a plate compactor? Curious because that's the part that always scares me off doing it myself.

My mom fell for the exact same kind of thing at a flea market once, bought a "hand carved" wooden bowl that still had a sticker on the bottom from some store. I have also paid way too much for stuff just because a guy in a hat sounded convincing, so no judgment here. The whole blessed by an elder line is a classic tourist trap move and honestly that part is on the seller for making stuff up. The real question of whether it disrespects native traditions is a bigger deal, and plenty of native folks have written about how mass produced dream catchers kinda water down the meaning behind them. Fair game or not, the shop owner is the one cashing in, but that doesn't mean you have to feel great about the $60 lesson.