Sealed MOFI's on eBay


Where did all the sealed Mobile Fidelity recordings that are on eBay come from? It seems that 2 out of every 3 MoFI's listed for sale are sealed, is this possible? Didn't anyone ever buy these to listen to? Is there any way to know for sure these sealed copies are originals? I saw a sealed copy of Led Zeppelin II listed for $495.00! Are these recording worth what people are paying for them? I buy LP's to listen to, something sealed in a plastic bag doesn't excite me!
rickcomer
Thanks for all the responses!

This thread illustrates the good and bad of the Auddigon forums. The original intent of the posting was why are there so many sealed copies of MOFI's on eBay? The responses covered that topic as well as shrink wrap vs plastic bags, the sonic quality of MOFI's LP's and CD's and even Natilaus recordings.

I was aware of the liquidation of the MOFI stock when they went out of business and I'm sure that many of the eBay listings come from that inventory. But there still seems to be way too many copies of sealed records available.

I suspect there is some re-sealing going on. As for the prices MOFI sealed copies are fetching, I suspect "speculative buying" is taking place. I think these so called sealed copies are being puchased, at exagerated prices, assuming they will be worth more in the future. Only time will tell if this is a wise practice.

I am a vinyl collector and I'm always looking for a copy of any record I don't currently own. My intrest in MOFI's is more about the fact they were released than their sonic quality. I also listen to almost everything I aquire so a sealed copy doesn't excite me beyond it's pristine condition, I'm going to open it and play it. I prefer certain pressings of a recording over others, but my first intrest is to fill out my collection. The prices on eBay have totally reshaped the collecting market.

A perfect example of eBay driving the collecting market was the recent sale of the Rolling Stones MOFI box set. I own this box set and I would place the current value in NM condition at about $500.00. Within the last 60 days a box set in NM condition sold on eBay for over $1250.00! This is amazing! While there aren't many copies of this box set listed on eBay it certainly isn't rare enough to command that price.

If prices continue to escalate I'm listing everything I own on eBay and starting a new hobby!
1250.00 is chump change to some people in this world. Also if the person bought it and then sold the selections in the box he did not want he would still break even or even make a profit and keep the few Stones albums he coveted.
You never really know on Ebay if one or more bidders are conspiring to drive up the price.

There's a good chance that $1250 Stones box set never really changed hands.

Ebay can be a shell game folks. Don't believe everything you see.
They don't call if flea-bay for nothing. Shill bidding is a problem at every auction anywhere. That's why I like this site; you just negotiate a deal (or not).
Qdrone is right and for some it would be simply an impulse buy they would be very pleased with and they wouldn't consider selling any part of it. Might even keep it sealed for their kids. u nvr no.