When it comes to personal choices and cel 
collecting ethics, I've found most people have 
similar ideas to mine, but there are a select few 
in this community I actually feel are my 
collecting kindred spirit. I may not know them 
well on a personal basis, but from the way they 
have presented themselves, the enormous weight 
they place on integrity and the need they have to 
conduct themselves in a consistent fair and fun 
manner is the reason I so enjoy reading their 
posts. Many of the topics that are discussed in 
here when it comes to subjective idea of “right 
and wrong” are things I wouldn't have to discuss 
with these, my like minded cel collectors. It's 
that unspoken commonality that makes me smile as 
I read their posts and think, "This person 
gets it." 

Evilminion, you have always been one of these 
people. 

Cel collecting practices aside, any online forum 
needs the dependable and strong regulars to reel 
discussions back in, to champion accountability 
and responsibility and  to help keep the status 
quo positive and constructive. I have a feeling 
now we'll see that type of integrity much less 
often. Your absence will be felt and I'm sorry 
for it. 

As for the reselling issue, I see it as the age-
old debate of doing what you want vs. doing what 
you should. It's ethics 101 really. Even if 
something is legal, even if it's practiced by 
many others, even if you make a lot of money off 
it...that doesn't make it right. In my mind, 
dealers are people who provide a service and 
collectors are people who pay for this service. 
By this definition, resellers are not dealers and 
I have a hard time labeling them as collectors 
since that definition for me includes first and 
foremost a love of the artwork. Love of artwork 
does not usually entail consistent re-auctioning 
at inflated prices. 

I've said this before: You can be a good guy and 
still make money. If you want to profit by 
selling anime cels, then do what reputable 
dealers do and provide those in the hobby with a 
service. Take the time to make the connections 
and educate yourself so that you actually have a 
marketable skill. There is pride to be had in 
making money, but you gotta put forth the effort. 

No one wants to reward a person who runs in front 
of you, takes the last of a $10 item off the 
shelf, then turns around and says, "You want it? 
$40." Any of us in this community can do that. 
ANY of us. But most don't because it's, to put it 
bluntly, shameful. I prefer to make my money by 
providing a service I'm proud of and not soiling 
the hobby. I will forever appreciate those who 
feel the same. 

Minion, thanks for always getting it. I hope you 
change your mind about frequenting this place, 
but if not, then I wish you all the best. It's 
been an extreme pleasure reading your posts. :)

-MeganD.