I am a collector and to have vintage cds in mint condition is the name of the game. Also most people who collect are into completion to see a disc like this most likely gave them heart failure that is why "33" bids was thrown this discs way. Yes you can get down loads and fill your i pods ect with music like this but to a true metal/rock collector that dosnt mean shit. Its all about the full original art work and the whole package. Down loads ect ruin collecting for the true die hard collectors and fans of the music. The average smoker spends $1000 to $1400 dollars a year to kill themselves and not show anything for it when they are smoked and gone accept medical bills. What is 1200 dollars for a disc that can be resold or listened to your whole life.
Theres always 2 sides to every story. Downloads of rare discs (and by rare I mean RARE) ruin collecting for who? The select few who have 1,000's of dollars to piss away on a few CD's? Last I checked music was meant to be enjoyed, and you know LISTENED to? Its great that people love to collect, and have the original CD with inserts ect......I am one of those people but I draw a line someplace. You make a comparison to smoking which is irrelevant because not all of us are smokers. You could say anything then..."oh some people spend 1000s <insert hobby/addiction here>. That doesnt mean in order for me to wanna hear a band that might sound good, I have to spend 1,000.00 or more. Thats ridiculous.
Once a CD is that scarce, and out of print IMO its fair game unless the band has intentions to reissue, or re-release it. My old band MOMMY DEAREST only released 200 demo tapes. I am working hard trying to find a label to release it because I want the music to be heard by fans of the genre. I would release it myself but dont have the funds upfront to get a few 100 silver pressed CD's made.
I'm all for collecting, and people spending what they want on CD's however I'm also for music being heard like it was intended too at a reasonable price (and by reasonable Im even going as high as say $50.00).
Lets not even get into the over hyped, and over exaggeration of many of these CD's descriptions. "oh must hear" "cant afford to not have this CD in your collection" "sounds just like classic Skid Row" etc etc. Than you hear the disc, and it sounds like some garage band with tinny drums, hollow guitars, and weak mix that sounds like it was recorded in basement with an overhead mic. These tactics are used to generate a false hype about a particular band, and get the trigger happy collector to bite on a bidding frenzy. Have you heard this band that went for 1200 plus dollars? Its average at best! Someone paid 1.00 in a bargain bim somewhere, and got 1200.....whats funny is the band isnt seeing the money , the seller is. So if anyones losing out its the band.
And boy how ironic.....THE STUFF sells for 1200.00 and magically 2 more appear on ebay. LOL whatever.
The bands WASHED and MURDER BAY are doing the smart thing. They know that the music they released wants to be heard now....so what are they trying to do? Remaster the songs, and release it at a fair price for music lovers such as me to enjoy. The collector can still buy the ORIGINAL pressing, and I can hear the music at a fair price. Its a win win situation for all.