Bill....I really liked your post. It perfectly exemplifies what I am dealing with personally with my 'association' with the hobby right now. I don't have anything to add - you said everything perfectly.
Matt - I just read your rebuttal. That was good too.
I think this link shows it best.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...at=0&_from=R40
When you have a 'worthless' 8 selling for only $30, a half point higher 8.5 selling for over double that at $76, and a half point higher than that - the 'mint' 9 selling at over 15 TIMES the price of the 8 - well....that is why the hobby has so much greed and problems with it. The ironic part is - I CAN'T SEE A F***ING THING DIFFERENT IN ALL THREE CARDS!! THEY ALL LOOK VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL!!!