Many of you recognize that I am a very new 
collector (I started in June). I am still 
learning things every day. I have made a lot of 
friends in the "cel community". And a lot has 
gone through my mind...

To start - I love Watase's work - and FY is my 
favorite series. OF course, it's one of the most 
expensive to collect from right now, add to that 
the fact that my fave character is hoto-sama. I 
bring a whole new definition to "broke". 

So some of you have established careers, from 
what I have read. As for me? I am still in 
college.. *sighhhh* (full time), work 2 jobs, 40 
hours of fieldwork, and 20 hours of art homework 
(a WEEK!). So... to break away from the everyday 
stresses, I spend ALL of my extra cash on my new 
found addiction. (if i didn't have this 
rediculous car/insurance payment - i'd have a lot 
more cels - eek). I gave up EVERYTHING i used to 
buy too - food, clothing, cds, movies etc. 

My point? I have noticed that prices are high - 
and they were when I started. But the prices just 
seem to go even higher.... I mean - if one person 
pays a TON for a cel - they aren't going to sell 
it for less! And if they get a good deal when 
they buy it.. they're going to make a profit when 
they sell it. It's  crazy how this works. But I 
can't complain too much about the prices, because 
I pay em. And I DON"T HAVE TO BUY CELS! 

Most of the cel dealers online keep the prices 
resonable, yet there are a few that take 
advantage of certain collectors. I mean, I can't 
believe that AG priced that nuriko profile for 
close to $700. THAT is rediculous (i didn't want 
it - but it's still high). Yes, they did sell it, 
and they did get what they wanted, but come 
on.... it's a profile........one eye......
And what helps certain dealers price that way is 
the fact that someone BOUGHT it. Like at asylum.. 
they lowered the price of the OP sequence of 
Tamahome.. because it wasn't going to sell at 
$800. The other one did, but it took a while. I 
am not trying to bash dealers, it's just 
something I thought wasn't right. 

About offering/begging etc. I have offered a lot 
of personal collectors in my days.. I don't love 
to, I just see no harm in asking. If a collector 
just says "no" - I won't bug them again... but if 
a collector never responds... I will ask again 
periodicly. I am flattered if people make offers 
on my cels. It means I have something people 
like/want. Generally other collectors are nice 
about my questions. And that's great. I think 
when you posted a gallery, and became a serious 
collector, then you have joined a "community" of 
people, that in general should help eachother 
out. And if you REALLY don't want a person to ask 
about a cel - do what shadow-light did - and 
say "don't ask". That keeps my questions away...

*GRIPE*ALERT*Oh, one more thing (a little off-
subject). What really bugs me is people that buy 
cels just to trade them. They don't really WANT 
the cels, they just get them because they know 
that the person they want a cel from will trade 
(or pay HUGE money). It ruins any chance for the 
person who really deserves the cel. I buy cels 
that I like. Period. I don't get them 
thinking "man, so-and-so would really LOVE 
this...". If trading comes up at some point, 
fine. But seriously folks, if you practice this, 
then your online gallery only looks like a bus-
stop for cels.*end gripe*

Alright, enough of my banter. Email me if you 
want to tell me something that you don't want to 
post. I am glad to explain in further detail my 
opinions. 

Happy cel hunting! ~Tara