> but it's also true that on online auctions the
> market can change very fast

Oh, yes, yes! This is extremely true. I don't list
many auctions of my own, but I watch them all the 
time (sometimes even if I'm only interested in the
series in question, but not to bid). I've also 
seen auctions end without bidders a couple times 
running, only to get fought over. I would include 
this in my "new faces on the scene" exception -- 
even if you're not talking a new collector, but 
instead someone who was simply unavailable. Of 
course, it could also be that someone was 
watching and thinking about the cel, only to be 
spurred to action by the fact that said cel was 
about to become unavailable.

I also completely agree with you on sellers who 
make comments regarding what they paid. I was 
actually just discussing this with another Forum 
member in private mail, and we both agreed that 
we couldn't see WHY a seller would bother to list 
that. It's one thing to say something like "this 
is half it's retail value" if you're selling 
something with a recommended retail price, like a 
DVD or videogame. But even then, a bidder doesn't 
care what the seller paid for the item, or what 
it sells for in stores. . . They'll bid what it's 
worth to them. (*shrug*)

This is becoming a really interesting discussion!

Many Sharp Smiles,
--Drac