Hey all, I've been pretty quiet lately, but I'm 
really bored so I thought I'd try and open up 
this topic.  I'm not sure how to frame it, so 
here goes- how does one end up being a successful 
cel collector nowadays?  I used to think it was 
mostly patience, persistance, and luck, but I 
think it's different now, or maybe I didn't 
notice because "my" series weren't popular when I 
started collecting.  I see a lot of fairly new 
collectors coming up with a lot of 
characters/cels that were previously next to 
impossible to find, to hear most collectors here 
tell it.  I notice some are quite vocal, often 
begging for or asking about cels, and it seems 
like they usually have more to spend than joe 
average.  Is this because other collectors are 
drawn to the profit, and are willing to part with 
cels they have had for years because then can 
make several hundred dollars profit?  Is it 
because people see a name looking for a 
cel/character enough times that they start 
seeking the person out, instead of offering to 
the general public when they want to sell 
something? Is it actually just clever artisans 
faking cels which suddenly have a wealthy market?
I am not accusing anyone of anything, nor am I 
picking on anyone.  These are just some ideas I 
have had.  Also- a word of hope for those reading 
this who may have noticed the same thing- there 
are still really nice cels of some character you 
like out there, it just might not be your super 
duper favorite character.  The luckiest thing is 
to find a series you love while it's still a fan 
sub.  :)