Yikes, I am chatty today... my third reply 
here  ;)

I can understand a lot of what has been said, but 
for me, the answer lies a little in between.

No one, in my mind, is required by ethics or 
protocal ("good manners") to respond to an 
*unsolicited* offer (i.e., an offer on a personal 
gallery cell). Especially so when there is a 
clear disclaimer like the one Marisa and so many 
of the people who create galleries post.

As a newbie, I understand all too well the 
frustration of seeing "make an offer" on cells 
being offered for sale trade. It takes some 
experience and time to know what is an 
appropriate price range. While I might know what 
is the most I might be willing to pay, in our 
consumer-driven society everyone hates to think 
they will pay much more for something than it is 
generally worth on the market. Even though you 
might be willing to pay that if you have to, It 
can leave you feeling somehow that you 
were "ripped." Nevertheless, while ranges would 
be nice, why should a person feel they have to 
limit themselves? Setting a range, even a minimum 
price, WILL affect the price they ultimately get, 
and in volatile markets, like it seems DBZ and a 
few other currently popular series are, someone 
might get much more than they expect because of 
rapid shifts in supply and demand. And why 
shouldn't they get it? That's the "Whoo Hoo! My 
Lotto number came out!" aspect of ANY form of 
collecting.

For cells posted for trade/"make an offer," 
though, I believe that all offers in general 
deserve a response. It is easy enough to set up a 
notepad document with a  few pre-written replies -
- examples:

       1) Thank you for your offer, but I am 
seeking a price much substantially higher than 
your offer. (note, clear, but doesn't give 
anything away)
       2) Thank you for your offer, but it is 
lower than the price range I am seeking.
       3) Thank you for your offer, but I have 
recieved higher offers already.
       4) Thank you for your offer, but I have 
already traded the cell. 

It takes only a few seconds to hit reply, cut and 
paste a pre-written answer, and click send. An 
exception from this is, *of course* offers from 
people who are known troublemakers or who are 
ignoring the implications of a previous response 
(i.e. offer $50, reply sorry, way way too low, 
resend offer $75 -- free to ignore, the point has 
been made. Re offer $150, well, maybe re-reply if 
still way too low).

A second Caveat to this is if the Person notes 
next to the cel (or top of the page) that offers 
way too low will not be responded to, that 
absolves them from responding to insignificant 
offers, except perhaps if the offer expressess 
cluelessness and a request for a response, in 
which case a quikie response from above would be 
the kind thing to do.

Finally, on a specific note, Marisa, you have 
nothing to explain. From what I've seen, everyone 
here who is here for love of the art respects 
you. There will always be a few people who run 
around slinging mud. They go away. A history of 
good deeds and a good reputation among the long-
term players doesn't. It's really that simple.

Tim