people can ask any price they want for something, like that guy who lists lightboxes for $1,000,000
doesn't mean it's the right price. Of course, people forget something about "collectibles".....
it's simple, collectibles only have real value at the moment cash is trading hands. All other times, it just has a "perception of value". The reasons are simple, unlike other "real property" these items cannot necessarily be sold at a moment's notice. If I want to sell my stocks in AT&T, it will only take as long as it takes me to place the sell order.
trying to tie values of collectibles to a solid pricing structure isn't possible. Collectibles were worth more in a hot economy in 2007 than they were in 2009 in a recession. If you absolutely must sell today, your value is a steep decline from perception. What something in this business is worth to one person doesn't reflect what it's worth to another.
.. and I haven't even discussed the variance is business costs between say myself (online presence, no sales people needed etc) vs a gallery (many employees, higher rent). These issues all contribute to what his or her retail listing or straight sale price may be and the difference between them.
