[kerryandbeth]

It's a very good and legit question.
But the answer requires a few different perspectives.

1) for those of us that collect just to collect:
isn't it good to know value of your collection for insurance purposes? God forbid ... fire, water & theft ... you need to know current value for replacement value purposes

2) for those of us that collect and trade:
isn't it good to know that you have something of value so that you can fairly trade for something else of value?
I don't like opportunistic a-holes that want to 'get over' on an unsuspecting trade partner.

3) for those of us that realize we are not immortal:
isn't it good to know that when you pass on and go to meet your maker, your family that survives you are not screwed over by a card shop when they eventually sell your collection to raise money to keep living once you're not around to provide for them?

4) for those of us that may need extra cash for emergencies:
isn't it good to know that you can throw a Trout RC up on eBay for $XXX.xx and know that within a few days you'll get that money?

My opinion, no matter which of the above that apply, it's ALWAYS better to know the value than being ignorant of it.

Well spoken, but you answered why to know the value. I was asking a different question.