I think that's a good theory, Dolphin Lord. Part of the motivation comes when we see people sell a really valuable cart which ends up going for way more than normal. (BS topping $600, TSS over $1,000...).
I know that if the next Blazing Star to hit Ebay sold for $700+, it'd be *REALLY* tempting for me to sell mine...I love the game, but I've got bills to pay (and I can always buy an !ARACADE! convertor and the MVS version)!
Imagine if Kizuna Encounter actually popped up...! It'd probably sell for $1,500-2,000. I have a feeling that an auction ending THAT high would draw a few more of the elusive carts to market.
It's the same formula that keeps people from selling...that last TSS ended at $960...? That's over $100 less than the one a few days before it. I remember when there were three Slug's on Ebay...I think the last ended under $800 (all US, complete, too).
People will snatch up the first at rediculous prices, with each subsequent one going for a little less, until sellers are reluctant to part with their "investment".
I don't think that's necessarily the greedy "collector" mentality at work here: I think it's just sensible that people want to get back what they paid if possible. If I dropped $800 on a US Ninja Master's, I'd only sell it for $500 out of absolute need. I'd try to get back as much as possible.
Also, though it seems that a lot of people are in "selling" mode, there are still plenty of people out there who support it by buying!
- Kyle
