Mel
On the S2s, those places that still list them for $325 say "subject to availability". I guess you could contact them and confirm they still have them. I do know that when these were first made around 1999 to 2002 they made like 100 of each, but when those sold out they made something like ten at a time (because they use a 100 year old press and there is no value to doing lots of them), and I don't know that they are still making them at all.
Whenever you see people pay more to us for items you may well be able to find elsewhere for slightly less (or sometimes a lot less) you have to remember that people have to weigh the "aggravation factor", the chance that they will get cheated in some way, or that the item will be damaged due to sub-sufficient packaging, that it is over-graded, rip-off shipping, etc. They KNOW there is next-to-no chance of those things happening with us, AND that if they have the slightest problem we will make it right.
And yes, I agree that everyone SHOULD check our Sales Results Database on every item BEFORE they bid (to get both a sense of rarity and previous sales records) and that they SHOULD check all over the Internet to see if they are offered for sale anywhere, but not everyone has the time for this, especially if they might bid on dozens of items.
Over the years, some people have seen an item going high in one of our auctions and have found it "for sale" somewhere else, only to later get told it was already sold and the site was not updated, or that the price was no longer good due to the high eMoviePoster.com result!
I understand not wanting to pay too much, but it takes LOTS and LOTS of work to help keep that from happening, and sometimes today's great deal turns into tomorrow's latest rip-off story. You have the time and energy to do lots of research, and for that I applaud you.
Bruce
