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From: Frank
Remote Name: 12.65.72.109
Jerry — I agree with you on all counts. Even with the flexibility provided by the on-line nature of the Beer Stein Library, it's extremely difficult to keep up with changing prices, particularly in a period as volatile as the one we appear to be in right now. Recent prices for most steins are off substantially from just a few years ago, and Mettlach prices are nearly in a free fall.
I'm sure that much of the problem is the result of the uncertain times we're currently living through and the fact that most people just aren't as willing as they once were to invest in expensive shelf decorations. Another factor is almost certainly the impact of the many unreliable sellers on eBay, which leave buyers unwilling to commit to high prices for questionable products. SCI's aging membership is probably also impacting on the market, particularly with respect to Mettlach steins, as those who were once net buyers now become net sellers, putting more product into the marketplace than can be absorbed at previous price levels.
In any event, prices are constantly being reevaluated and adjusted in the Library. However, with over 5,000 listings and growing, there's no reasonable way that they can all be reviewed as frequently as might be desireable. On the other hand, when compared to a book that may be five or ten years old, the Library's prices are far more likely to be an accurate guage of current market conditions. It's not perfect, but we're doing our best to keep up. — fjl