Posted By:
John SLet me offer this disclaimer first...."to each his own".
However, this is the exact type of behavior that has driven prices through the roof. Paying thousands for a t206 common has nothing to do with collecting or a passion for the history of the game. For many of these individuals it is about pure competition; and when they get bored with the baseball cards they will move on to another venue (best coins, best stamps, best car, etc.) to fuel their competitive fires. Reminds me of the new VW ads with the bullhorns if you have seen them. Unfortunately what they leave in their wake are inflated prices and a hobby that resembles a business more and more each day.
I too am guilty on occasion of being competitive when it comes to winning auctions, but I don't lose sleep worrying that someone's cards are graded higher than mine.