And lo and behold, the Poster Gods gave un-to Mel, the sacred 10 Commandments. Mel came down from his High horse, and spread the good word, and peace rained throughout Ephemeria....
In all seriousness, back in the days of Yore when I first collected, it was very similar. We (the collectors) knew certain main dealers, but we all had contacts we never shared. Luckily to a certain
extent that is still true, I know several collectors (old timers) who let stuff go now and then. They hate computers, in fact a couple still don't/won't have them. So they contact people like me.
So they will never be "Outed". I just don't understand the reasons for outing an auction unless your selling. Other than the pat on the back, and a well done Mate, (you've saved me loads of work).
Some people need to be told they have done well, or need that feeling of belonging, Some are just vindictive, " Ha, I've cost him some more money" I do understand their complexes, but I still
don't agree with them.
I know none of us will agree on this mater, as we all have our own reasons for doing what we do; But as a collector it's my goal to get the best I can for the least out-lay. Any collector who tells
you any different is not a true collector. (No doubt that's a statement some will dispute, but take a moment and think about it..)
The problem is back in those days, you would let someone know a source if they were a good friend, but there was some "UNWRITTEN" rules amongst collectors, and we all followed them. I
don't know if it's more a British trait, but we would never shit on our friends, or betray the info they had given us. As somewhere up the line you never know when you will need them.
Since I actually talked myself into going on forums and the like. It seems as though there's a lot of back bitting, back stabbing, Jealousy, what ever you want to call it, and the main problem
is, it's not just seen by the group on the forum, it's seen by the hundreds who Lurk...
