One of the key problems is the Yahoo Japan and 
Ebay. I think that if both markets were brought 
together you would see a cooling off in cel 
prices after Japanese collectors saw the premium 
we in the West (I should say deep south coming 
from New Zealand) pay for the cels - they might 
be keen to ship internationally despite the 
language barriers....

Perhaps a Japanese form of Bidpay or Billpoint 
and we all would be in heaven. I'm sure no one 
here seriously quibbles about postage 
costs........

If they can't be arsed (as currently) then the 
middlemen who are willing to bridge that gap 
profit. (Some by stupid margins).

Buying stuff off shops just to sell them again is 
also a bit ripe. Eg the "Gundam Phenomenon" which 
blossomed on ebay recently.

There has been a cooling of prices on ebay 
recently for most series' which is a good thing. 
Just my 2 bits.