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Cels prices holding steady, maybe inching up a bit?
last modified: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 (1:40:12 PM)
Has anyone else noticed if cel prices are starting to ramp back up again? It seems as though up until the end of 2009 cel prices were dropping steadily, but after getting knocked out of bids for the last month or so is the cel market prices starting to inch up again?

For most of '09 I started seeing prime cel pieces come up about 30%-40% off what their highs were a few years ago so I was able to snap up some cels from shows at a good deal. Then when some cels started popping up for sale on eBay, I thought I was getting in some good deals then the ending prices started going way beyond my limit which may need to be adjusted again if prices start crawling back up.

I'm seeing Miyazaki pieces at 50% off going fast, but even some Evangelion cels at the same sale price just sitting for a while even when they used to go at lighting speeds.

Do you think prices are going back up since prime cels are starting to be sold off from collector's sets now as they may be exiting the hobby or picking up sets at good prices which they parse out on auction sites. Or is the market stabilizing now that collectors are realizing this is the time to pick up the pieces that have been even higher than before?

re: Cels prices holding steady, maybe inching up aWednesday, February 03, 2010 - 7:54:03 PM
momo

We think it really depends on whether it is a movie, tv, ova series and if is in demand. As many of us know, cel demand wanes over time for many series. A resurgence can happen at any time but many fans are fickle.

We noticed for some of the series you collect prices definitely have dropped. This should not be surprising especially for the Macross cels in particular. Cels from the main series have picked up steam with the completion of Frontier tv and movie.

It never hurts to keep an eye out for a good deal as long as it doesn''t break the bank, right? Good luck! =)

Cheers!


re: Cels prices holding steady, maybe inching up aWednesday, February 03, 2010 - 8:28:22 PM
reithejelly

In the series that I collect, I have noticed a marked drop in prices. The only thing which keeps me perpetually poor is the terrible exchange rate between the yen and US dollar.


re: Cels prices holding steady, maybe inching up aThursday, February 04, 2010 - 4:43:08 PM
60something-sensei

I''d say on Yahoo Japan (where many items enter the buying field) it''s still a collector''s market. I''m still seeing very nice things pop up at very affordable prices. With the inevitable crest and decline of the anime fad in the states, I''d guess there are fewer people who simply want to have a piece of their favorite show, and the collectors who remain are becoming more careful about what they add to their cel books. With the amount of inventory still going around unsold, I''d say it will be several more years yet before we see an overall trend upward in price, and at that time I''d guess that condition will be a key factor. Cels and sketches are unstable and prone to damage, and so something that''s been kept in better-than-normal condition will eventually draw a higher price. I think... anyhow, I''m changing all my cel bags again just to be sure.


re: Cels prices holding steady, maybe inching up aSaturday, February 06, 2010 - 4:10:08 PM
ginza studio jp

I think it depends on your lucks as there are no longer much people actively collecting beside the regulars. I manage to pickup several bargains last yr, I would say more than 50%off comparing to the high value times. However there were a couple cel which I lost on ebay, they went for over $250, which was over my budget with poor exchange rates, however I remember the seller had the same cel price quoted $800 a few yrs back in her gallery. Thats why I say depends on who your bidding against, Im always the 2nd highest bidder which is frustrating after knowing the ones I outbid are nowhere near my maximum bid, but however theres always one that ruins my bidding plans >_<


Depends...Tuesday, February 09, 2010 - 1:51:05 PM
Cutiebunny

If you''re looking at prices on YJ/Mandarake, then, January is not a good time to be looking. It''s the time in Japan where people receive bonuses, and with more disposible income availble, buying cels/sketches is not a problem.

The best time to judge the market, IMO, is spring and fall. In winter, you have holidays and holiday bonuses. In the summer, you have people funneling their money into vacations. However, I find that, statistically, the majority of items I purchase are during the summer and winter - just because the supply out there at those times tends to be higher quality artwork.

2009 was a really good year for my collection. Due to the economic downturn & decline of some animation studios, I was able to get some really nice items. And while the prices for those items was high, the fact that, years ago, they were locked in studio vaults makes me grateful just to have them.