As most of you probably know, I collect primarily 
Slayers.  *grin*  And it's been weird watching the 
prices spiral upwards for the last year, 
particularly since the show hasn't aired on TV 
here in the States... I can only surmise that the 
DVD releases brought in some new fans.  I actually 
hope that's the case, since it's a great show and 
I like to think that new people are discovering 
it.  Of course, I adore my cels with a passion, 
and think that I've managed to acquire a decent 
collection.

But oh my GOD am I tired of getting those emails.

"Hey, I see you like Gourry.  I'm getting out of 
collecting / in need of money / selling off 
everything that isn't Dragonball / paying for my 
dear old mother's bowel operation, and I have this 
great Gourry cel for sale for only $(insert twice 
or three times the going rate here).  I'll offer 
it to you first, since you like him..."

I'll admit that my heart leaps every time I get 
one of these messages... right up to the point 
that I see the price.  *sigh*  Rarely, VERY 
rarely, I've gotten messages that contain a good 
cel at a reasonable price, and that's how I've 
acquired a couple of very treasured beauties (my 
feral Gourry springs to mind).  But most of these 
"concerned collectors," no matter how much they 
might protest that they're just trying to find a 
good home for their cels without resorting to the 
randomness of eBay, seem far more interested in 
making a quick buck off of my assumed blind 
obsession.

And it bugs me.

Sorry for the rant.