Howdy

I couldn't have said it better myself...I too 
share your views and disdain towards sleazy people 
who try (in my opinion) to swindle cel collectors. 
 I don't mind people making a profit...don't get 
me wrong that is what this country is founded on 
(God bless you anime chaos, usagi's house, Taro, 
Yann etc who charges fair and reasonable prices). 
 But to intentionally charge 5-7 times higher (as 
the starting bid) than what you paid is borderline 
fraud....I know my words are harsh but I too am 
fed up.  I have been collecting for two years now, 
and have witnessed the sudden surge in the market. 

We have to realize what these people are 
doing...They are going through all of our 
galleries and viewing our wishlists...keeping 
track of what we want most and when they see it on 
auction or sale in japan they buy it knowing that 
we (the consumer) would pay top dollar for one of 
our dream cels...or They are capitalizing on the 
naivete of the new upstart cel collectors who 
don't know any better and believe that these cels 
were always that expensive...

Unfortunately there is no end in sight for this 
trend...the only solution that I can imagine is 
that we as the cel collecting community take a 
stand and refuse to pay for these cels....If no 
one buys them then these so called dealers will be 
against the wall.  Needing to at least make their 
money back they will then lower the price...Now it 
is our turn to turn their desperation into our 
advantage...unfortunately if people still pay 
their outrageous prices they will never lower 
their prices....

But do not consider yourself alone in your views, 
apparently it is shared by many (Sheri drac and I 
to name a few)....

well just a few thoughts...

Tony