The Longest You Ever Waited For A Cel

[Blackmegabyte]

Hey, didnt see this topic, thought id give it a shot and see what anyone thinks.

What's the longest you ever waited for a cel to arrive--- in terms of transaction, shipping to you, getting lost and being found years later--- any funny story you have of cels taking a really long time to arrive..... or maybe waiting a few years for the price of a particular cel to drop. Things like that---

The longest I ever waited was two months for a cel to arrive after paying---- I was so nervous because this was still early in my collecting "career" and the seller (from the US) said they were joining the army and being deployed in Iraq. I paid and waited---- I think the cels must have been rerouted through some foreign counties because there was an unusual amount of additional taxes I had to pay on its arrival.

[kittens]

I really do not have patient.... Usually I asked the seller to send via EPS or Fadex if ourside of the US.... So usually my time limit is 2 weeks After 2 weeks I start sending email to the seller Baaaaaad kittens I just cannot want to see them......

[In_Gabriel_We_Trust]

Number 2 & 3 are to me the most important.
Unfortunately, I don't qualify for number 3 by far.

[Wendy]

I think everything you wrote in the poll applies.
You have to be patient, you have to browse all sources, you have to know what you're fellow collectors own etc.

The longest I waited for a cel was 2 to 3 months.
It was finally sent back to the sender after being on route all that time, with the message attached saying the recipient (that's me!) did not have a mail box
That was the most stupid thing I have ever heard... I have three!

[Nene]

I've been quite lucky so far. I usually opt for EMS shipping when I can since it only takes about 3-5 days to get to me from Japan and the US.

When I go for normal airmail though, I've waited around two weeks which is average for that kind of delivery. Post tends to arrive here quicker from Japan/Hong Kong areas than the US for some reason though. Perhaps because it's a bigger country and takes longer to process.

I did however have some BGC promo merchandise take nearly 2 months from the States to get to me. I was beginning to panic over that one since I paid alot for it.

And regarding the poll, I went for number 3. Albeit my limit is usually most of my salary.

[Baakay]

Interesting poll, which demonstrates why I do not have the ultimate gallery of my dreams. I just don't have time to search everywhere all the time -- too many other responsibilities. I don't have the kind of memory that would tell me who had/where I saw each cel I liked.

soooo...

Patience.

Longest I waited for a cel to arrive after purchase was a little over six weeks for one of my inexpensive Slayers cels. It went to the wrong purchaser, at the completely opposite end of the country.

Longest I waited to *get* a cel was the shot of Zelgadis with spoon in hand, which I asked Evilminion about on a regular basis for about three years! (so happy she discovered Hunter x Hunter...)

[Krafty]

The best thing to do is a combination of knowing other cel collectors/sellers AND scouring the web frequently.
If you're friendly with sellers, they may give you advance notice of something you collect or offer it toyou outright. You may even get discounts once you're a regular.
In most cases, the artwork you want IS out there already so it's just a case of building up that social networking so others can relay their info/discoveries back to you.

Patience isn't important but it helps. I'm currently waiting on artwork going back 5 and 6 months respectively, stuff that's been paid for but it still with the other party. When I know what the situation is, I'm fine with waiting but I don't like it when sellers say they will mail the package but don't. Exchanging a dozen emails saying "have you sent my artwork yet?" is the most frustrating aspect of collecting. In this instance, being diplomatic yet forceful is the only way to go- don't get angry and that's no good to anybody.

[zerospace]

I'll join anyone who already said that pretty much "all of the above" are important... now, funny thing is - I lack patience when it comes to the point where I've paid for the cel & I'm waiting for it to reach me... until I find the cel, I have quite a bit of patience, but I troll most source sites on a daily basis....

[sensei]

I would say:

1. Knowing your limit. It makes no sense to get a wishlist, then have to turn it over (sometimes at a loss) when you need the cash for a major expense. I buy to keep. (Though I do groom my collection -- by choice not necessity -- as my interests and priorities change.)

2. Vigilance. Watching eBay, YHJ, Mandarake, and private sales carefully gives you invaluable experience at what's out there and what it typically goes for. And it lets you know when something's up that isn't common and is priced unusually low.

3. Patience. Not my strong suit, but a necessary evil. More often, to be truthful, I've had better luck with Impatience, the ability to cut through dithering and send in an offer or order before the cel I've just seen evaporates. Perhaps best tempered with Hope ... that sooner or later the cel you really want (or a sequence-mate to one you just lost) will be available.

Longest I've waited: I don't recall, but certainly several weeks. One cel got shipped to me, then was returned to the seller for insufficient postage, then sat around a few more days, and finally (after a polite inquiry) sent on its way. But I was so delighted with it, that all was forgiven.[/i]

[Keropi]

I waited five and a half months to get my stuff from the deputy service. Then I waited four to six months to open the package. Since by then I had forgotten what I had it was like having the joy of seeing a new item all over again.

But the longest time I've waited..hmm. I think my longest wait was only about two months. Nothing noteworthy about that. No gaskets blown or anything.

I waited a year and two months for a fansub tape to arrive once. Now that was a bit of a pain.

The best thing to do is a combination of knowing other cel collectors/sellers AND scouring the web frequently.

I definitely agree with that one. But just about no one is looking for what I'm looking for. Funny you should mention this. Two weeks ago I started writing down what links I check each day. This way I don't repeat myself unnecessarily by checking the same YJ links too often. It was taking way too much time to check all the links every day.

[kaminari]

The longest Ive waited is currently going on right now.
Little over a month ago I paid Celga for a special order from a Japanese website and last I heard, they hadnt received it yet in Japan from the seller.

Im so anxious to have it..
Its my most expensive cel purchase.

but Ive been told to be patient

[Blackmegabyte]

Heh--- as many of you noticed i didn;t include the option of "all of the above" in the poll.
Some ppl dont see the option, assume there is only one correct answer, or at least one important answer. B'sides, "all of the above" is usually wrong on a multiple choice test anyway.
This answer in my opinion IS a combo of the different options. Just depends on you I guess, as to which one is most important...
Is there a way to change the poll? I would probably like to change up an option or two.

Also----- my view is very limited..... these are only a handful of a huge amount of answers you could give. These are only MY options---- i could add more, PM me for suggestions.

[purplewiz]

Longest I've waited for a cel is just over a year. It's a long story, and I have no regrets about waiting. I'm not in any rush to do it again, though.

Marcia.

[Ronin]

I've had to wait just over a month before....very painful! But got them in the end!!

[Startyde]

The longets I have been waiting for cels is currently still going on...it has been 2 years and 4 months.

>.<

But yes...I still have faith...