I don't normally post messages on threads that 
attack other people, but in this case I feel that 
I should say something, especially since I've 
dealt with Anime Link.

I have bought several cels from Rick, and while 
the cels were expensive, I felt that the prices 
he was asking for were fair.  If I didn't feel 
the prices were fair, then I simply wouldn't have 
purchased his cels.  Period.

I have two issues regarding your message.

First, you state that Rick is acting in an 
unethical manner by charging prices that you feel 
is too high.  He has a right to charge whatever 
he feels the cels are valued at, just as you have 
the right to refuse to purchase those cels.  It 
is unethical to misrepresent or slander someone.  
Rick has never done any of these things.  Your 
post, however, slanders Rick's reputation and is 
without basis.

Second, you state that his prices are unfairly 
high when compared to the true value of the 
cels.  While I can only address the prices for 
the Anime cels that I am familiar with, which 
happen primarily to be AMG cels, I think my 
arguement will stand with other Anime series.

The current auctions at Yahoo Japan have the 
majority of the quality AMG Movie cels of 
Belldandy going between $1000 - $3000 USD.  
Compare these prices with the AMG cels that I 
have seen Anime Link post, and I think the prices 
are within the same range as the Yahoo Japan 
market.  Note that the images that have commanded 
these prices were of exceptional quality.  Other 
collectors (primarily Japanese) evidently felt 
that these prices were fair.  In my opinion, if 
Anime Link were to post their AMG images at Yahoo 
Japan, then those cels should also command 
similiar prices.

The things that make Anime cels desirable are 
highly subjective, but it seems to me that most 
Anime collectors agree on some of the 
characteristics.  Just as people charge 
commanding prices for a vintage car that is 
highly valued for its rarity and uniqueness, I 
believe Anime Link aquires cels that are highly 
valued for their rarity and uniqueness.  

Sadly, some people cannot afford to purchase 
these cels.  If it's not ethical to sell for 
hundreds of thousands of dollars, when so many 
people who would love to own one can't, then how 
can you argue that it's unethical for Rick to do 
the equivalent in selling his cels?

- Jae