As new Moderator I wanted to come up with something special for my first post at "By The Numbers".
How about this one?
The Harbour Light listing from the Collectable Exchange in April 2000

http://web.archive.org/web/20000423213648/www.colexch.com/pl27.htm

1. How many of you collectors remember The Collectable exchange?

2. How many used their survices?

3. What do you think about the prices?

I definately remember them. I printed their listings off once a month and updated my secondary market prices on my inventory using their list. They usually listed 5 prices for each piece with a high and low price. I averaged these prices out and that was my reference price. I also bought several pieces from them(9 to be exact) and was happy with each piece. I thought their prices were well within line and they usually worked with you on getting a special price if you bought more then one piece at the same time. I really miss their website.

I do remember them. I didn't buy or sell through them; however it was a good source for what sellers were asking for their 'retired' pieces.

I know of a secondary market dealer (no longer in the business) who used Collectibles Exchange in this way:

(This is a hypothetical example, but this happened several times with different models.)

The secondary dealer might have a few Minot's Ledge for sale, and note that CE had five ranging in price from $144 to $182. So this person bought all five from CE and put one back on the exchange list at, say $275.

Then when buyers called looking for a Minot's Ledge, this seller would say, "I have just one and I'm asking $210."

The potential buyer would say "that seems awful high" and this seller would refer them to the Collectibles Exchange and say "They only have one listed and it's $275!"

ebay killed this secondary market dealers business and it killed the Collectibles Exchange. Everyone who owned extras had an outlet to sell without cutting in the CE for 20% (or whatever the cut was.)

I bought two lighthouses from them.
I think the best thing I liked was you could call them up and use your credit card and have the lighthouse on its way. It gets old going out of your way and buying a money order. Typing up a transmital and sending it out.