[QUOTE]
But I think 
the one thing that people don't want to say is 
that cel collecting is getting harder because of 
collectors themselves.
[END QUOTE]

You're right. We don't want to say that, but I 
think we all know that it's true.  :/

[QUOTE]
Yippee for you if you got in early, but to just 
keep on hoarding and hoarding great cels is 
just selfish. At least get rid of some you don't 
even LOOK AT anymore to keep the cels 
flowing throughout the community..
[END QUOTE]

Umm.. how do you know whether or not 
somebody still looks at their cels? You can't 
really assume someone is 'hoarding' as 
opposed to 'collecting' unless they told you 
straight out  "I never look at my cels"

[QUOTE]
Further, everyone says "there's thousands of 
cels available", and "just be patient, your 
favorite will show up", but the truth is that if you 
want even the vaguest of nice cels from a 
popular anime, you have to be prepared to 
wait a *VERY* long time, or spend your life in 
front of the computer.
[END QUOTE]

Everyone says it because it's true. Patience 
WILL get you what you want, but not a lot of 
people have it. Granted, I don't think I'm a very 
patient person, but after waiting 3 years for a 
TV Hotohori cel, I finally got one, and I had to 
pay quite a bit for him, but to me, it's worth it. 
Now I won't have to stress about it anymore. 
As for spending your life in front of the 
computer - it doesn't HURT to always be 
searching around cel sites, but it is the 
quicker way to acquire more cels that you're 
looking for. 

[QUOTE]
You end up joining the "I gotta pay these 
outrageous prices or I'll never get a Nuriko/
Mikael/Yue/Tasuki, etc" because you end up 
feeling like a total loser when you can't find 
what you want as reasonable prices.
[END QUOTE]

It's one thing to feel bad that you had to spend 
a lot of money, but it's another if it makes you 
feel like a "loser". Cel collecting isn't about 
getting the best cels for the best deals; it's 
about acquiring the cels you want and being 
happy with them. Period. 

[QUOTE]
It also 
doesn't help reading about deals other people 
getr because they have cel dealing friends or 
a 
network in place that took years to build. If you 
really care about cels, cel collecting, and the 
community, spread that love around so more 
people 
can enjoy the hobby.
[END QUOTE]

It might make you feel bad or envious that 
other people get deals through their friends, 
but it shouldn't. Make friends with people who 
collect cels. It's as simple as that. But don't 
make friends JUST because you hope to get 
their cels. 

Cel collecting is a hobby that can get 
frustrating but is meant to be enjoyed. I find it's 
the most enjoyable when I share my collecting 
adventures with my friends. I'm always glad to 
get a dream cel and equally as glad to see a 
good friend of mine acquire one of his or her 
dream cels. Ryouko inspired me to become a 
cel collector and ever since we've been great 
friends and I've even adopted a few of her 
cels. They are well loved and taken care of, 
and should I ever sell or trade any of my cels 
with her, I know for sure they'll be going to a 
great home. She's one of the most dedicated 
cel collectors I know - she almost never sells 
anything unless she absolutely _has_ to. 
That's actually more than I can say for a lot of 
people. 

By the way, don't be afraid to have people 
know YOU are the one that has a particular 
opinion. Anyone sensible isn't going to hate 
you because you dislike something giong on 
in the community...  so please don't post 
anonymously.

Cheers~

- Riven