I find myself completely agreeing with you.  I'm 
getting snowed in in Pennsylvania, and have 
nothing better to do at the moment so, I'm going 
to speak my mind:

I also think if one is going to talk about 'cel 
ethics' then we're really talking more about the 
question of fan cels vs production cels, 
especially fan cels sold AS production cels. NOT 
about whether someone's price tag or profiting by 
the selling of cels is right or not.  They can do 
as they please. Selling cels at or around the 
price you paid is a courtesy to other collectors 
& nothing more.

I think every cel is worth something completely 
different to each collector -- the 'value' of a 
cel really is defined by how much the seller 
values it and how much the buyer values it.  If 
they agree -- you make a deal -- if not, they 
both keep searching.  I've been known to make 
ridiculous offers on cels (and doujinshi) just 
because I really want the thing!  If I'm willing 
to pay & they're willing to sell -- great.  If 
not, I might weep a little, but I keep on lookin'.

Example: I have a kick-butt cel of Heero from 
Gundam Wing (I personally think its a great cel) 
which happens to be an A1 End and a very nice 
close-up.  I paid $160 for it 2 years ago, and 
today, I wouldn't sell it for ANY ridiculous 
amount of $$, even if someone offered.  They 
could offer me $1000 and I'd still say no.  The 
point being that the cel has a LOT of personal 
value to me (silly little fangirl as I am ^_^).  
Now if I decided to sell that cel -- I might put 
a price tag of like $500 on it just because now, 
great cels of Heero are expensive and very hard 
to find.  

Anyway, that's just my own opinion -- take it or 
leave it! ^_^ 

(By the way -- here's the Heero cel, just for 
kicks!)

--zerospace