[Serious Lee]

@ Iceman - I don't disagree with you that there are some figures out there that have increased in value due to rarity or condition, or both. As I've said before, I'll pay more for a figure that I value for any reason, and I won't feel bad about it for a second. My thought on the scalping certain figures is, for instance - all the recent rereleases that have been showing up in discount stores selling for prices that they were going for in their height of popularity ie Thunderball or Madame Mask etc.

Where I have a partial completionist attitude to ML's, I see the value of a single carded RedPool and McFarlane Spidey and Dragon Man etc as eventual pieces to my collection and will without a doubt pay through the nose for, but I find it a bit offensive that a person would value a War Machine that has obvious wear and tear on the package at $40 US. I've been caught more than a few times buying 'mint on card' figures from an eBay seller, that weren't even close to that. Yes, buyer beware I know, but being ripped off is still being ripped off. There are many sellers and resellers that know exactly what they are doing to us as fans and collectors. It's those that know, that take advantage of another's passion that hurt the most.

It's clear to me that the rare figures are worth more, and I think all true collectors agree. It's always going to be what someone is willing to pay, and the greedy ones out there (you know who you are), will always figure out what we're willing to pay and then add %25 and often a huge shipping fee too boot. As collectors, it's up to us to sift through the pile and find our prizes at the best price and condition we can, and as scalpers, it's their job to line their wallets as fat as they can.