Thanks so much Quacker, it has been quite a ride! I hope to continue collecting for many years to come, in fact this year I have implemented a strict budget. Hopefully as a means to stop the binge spending that I have a tendency to do... It also causes me to go into hiatus for a while, which has happened intermittently over the years... So can't in all honestly give you the most whole picture of the last ten years, but I can give you an idea.
I first started in 2003 when prices were in the range of absolutely insane. Sailor Moon cels were going for twice to three times what they are selling now, and the market was much more abundant. At the time the community was thriving there was always a lot of chatter on Beta, the cel update page was accurate, YJ was busy in basically every anime. This first year or two were very productive but not as productive as I would like, as prices were high everywhere and I just did not have the cashflow to compete. These first two years are when I picked up some of my signature and most loved pieces... The SCENE Yue/Toya, the First Eppy Juppy etc.
Then in late 2005, I started working in Retail which slowed my production and interest. I did not sell off everything but I made a dent or two in my collection by getting rid of some pieces that I regret to this day. I was still buying but it all but halted to trickle.
Then in 2007 I was promoted to General Manager of the Naples BAM. And I started buying again, I had the cashflow and the market was booming once again. Also prices in DBZ and SM had considerably cooled from the 2003 heyday when it was $200+ for a SailorStars cel no matter the character. The two years I was out in Naples/Fort Myers were my second most productive time, I picked up a ton of artwork that I have still not caught up on, although the bulk of it is up now. I still have a stack of x1999 Movie Douga Copies that I have never put up because they are more of reference art than anything else not original, but maybe someday I will get to it in case anyone is interested.
In 2009 I lost my job, pretty horrendous thing to go through, but I did not let anything go. Once I was back up on my feet I came back to market late 2010/early 2011, the market has been kind and not kind. There is less out there than before but, there is still enough to be interesting. I also noticed that prices have dipped considerably, overall. There are very few pieces commanding the kind of prices they used to. Which is great for a buyers market but terrible for people selling. The sheer amount of CCS, DBZ, and SM that has come to market that has either been wishlist or really reasonably priced so it was hard to turn down has been mind boggling to me. For example, I picked up an Episode 66 Yukito for 16.33, seriously! I did not think it possible as it is a beautiful shot, I'm not sure if this is a culmination of people leaving the market, or if there is just no one out there collecting CCS any longer it is quite mind boggling! A similiar thing happened in DBZ, I recently picked up an SSJ4 Gogeta for 140, which a couple of years ago 200+ easy!
So in conclusion, now is a great time to be at the market. I think that yes it has cooled and there is less out there, however what is, is more reasonably priced and I've found over the years that as long as you are watching that thing you missed will always come back to market.
Happy Hunting!
Jadeduo
So I will try to bang out a little more this week! I live on and appreciate any feedback! And as always if anyone notices any errors give me a shout out! Also if you have a sequence mate, also let me know ASAP!