Originally Posted by Mark17
I agree, and would say that it comes down to access to instant information. I go online or shop at stores and I see the price. I check the ticker prices of a couple stocks I follow daily, as well as spot prices for gold, silver, platinum, and rhodium. I follow the Dow and it's direction. Likewise, some people track T206 Cobb prices, etc. Tons of data inputs constantly - gold is up $24 dollars so far today, digest that information for a moment, then focus on something else.
When people inquire about cards, they might be evaluating a potential purchase, or they might simply be gathering information. You have a PSA 5 green Cobb? What's the lowest you'd sell it for (I'm not a buyer, just keeping track of where the market is at on that key card.)
There are a lot of people who enjoy this hobby but don't have the money to buy most, or any, of the things they would really like to own. But they can derive enjoyment by window-shopping, and maybe one day a real bargain will come along.
I also think that hobby courtesy cuts both ways. There have been times when I've wanted to discuss collectibles a little bit with a seller, and received a terse, brief, rejection. But there have also been times when a customer has wanted to settle in and tell me about his fond memories of opening packs of cards as a kid, when I am busy with other things/thoughts and frankly, am not interested in his childhood reminiscences.
What I learned long ago is to just let people do their thing, whatever it is, and not be overly annoyed by their behavior. Maybe they can't afford something they really want, so obtaining a scan of it is the closest they can come. Maybe they want to participate in the hobby, or interact with people in the hobby. Maybe they're just bored, or lonely. Maybe their dog and/or best friend recently died and they're looking for a distraction from that.
Bottom line is unless someone is trying to cheat me, or being ridiculous (like offering $500 on a $1300 item) I try to remember they are a person navigating through life, and I have no idea what their goals or circumstances are. I certainly don't get overly annoyed.
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