[barrysloate]

A couple of more thoughts:

Many don't like direct sales because they have had bad experiences, particularly at shows where dealers put obscene prices on things. So wouldn't it stand to reason that a dealer who puts realistic prices on cards would have a very viable business model?

Collectors also feel that auction prices are the best indicator of market value, assuming there hasn't been any shilling. But if shilling is as rampant as some believe, then in the end auction prices really aren't that good of a barometer.