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What I have actually noticed is a decrease in the number of auctions where buyers slug it out at the end to win. Unless an item is really hot or new, if a seller starts his/her auctions at a low price, there is a possibility that his/her auction may end at a low price too. Goodness knows, we've seen a number of Bowen busts, for example, sell for under $5. We've also seen the Abomination statue sell in the $60 range a few times too. In fact, every production company has at one point fallen victim to the "start low - end low" prices.
Sellers need to adapt the present market reality that there may be less buyers out there than there used to be. Thing is, that doesn't have to mean that sellers have no choice but to accept peanuts for their product. There are ways to single themselves out and make some decent cash: 1) Set items at a reasonable starting or BIN price, 2) If your older piece is brand new and undisplayed, say so in the auction title, 3) Post actual pics of the product as opposed to using stock pics, 4) If possible, sell busts in bundles or by team/character themes, and 5) Be very patient. Some pieces could a couple months to sell.
I have literally made thousands of dollars over the past couple of years unloading my Bowen product. Did it happen quickly? Not at all. However, much of the product did eventually sell at prices I was comfortable with. My genuine concern is that interest in Bowen product, especially the older releases, has been steadiliy decreasing so I do feel a slight sense of urgency to move things sooner rather than later. There is no one reason for that market concern though... Truth is, very little in the collectibles world maintains its secondary market values over time.
In my mind, as the number of sellers desperate to make quick cash diminishes, the greater the likelihood that pieces set at reasonble prices should eventually sell. Believe it or not, there will always be someone out there who wants a Doc Samson bust.
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