Thank you Brian for starting this thread. It is MUCH needed.
I have a lot to say, some of which has already been touched upon, some of it hasn't. I'll try and word it best as possible. I've talked to some of you privately about this as well.
As Brian mentioned, as early as even 1.5 to 2 years ago, finding unusual and different kettles wasn't tough. I think this site has grown A LOT, and opened the eyes to MANY people that "hey, there are Webers out there other than the common black grill?!" "I'd love one of those on my patio, that would look so cool!" Look at how fast we are growing as a site...don't forget the unregistered people too...the LURKERS! LOL There are a TON of them. All these people are interested too...but have chose not to join. They are sniping grills too. Look at the White Whale that just listed. It was out there for a week! Then as soon as it posts here, the seller gets bombarded and has stars in their eyes. This site has certainly influenced the price of rare and colored Webers...FOR SURE. Can we really stop it? Probably not. Can we try and control it? Maybe...BUT, when it comes to true Grails that pop up, I don't think so. As Troy mentioned, it comes down to supply and demand. There are only so many Grails left out there (one less as of yesterday), and a fast growing community that WANT WANT WANT these grills. I think its impossible for any etiquette to be put in place once one of these grills shows up on Clist, Ebay, or any other public site. And as far as site camaraderie, sure that's all nice in theory, but far from realistic when the TRUE GRAIL pops up. I don't care what some say, what they preach, what they would like to see...ITS NOT GONNA HAPPEN, and we just saw another example of it with the White Whale and the attention it got. As Brian said, its gonna happen and the hounds will be released.
Here's another question for you all, so if you found yourself a TRUE GRAIL...in really nice shape would you cook on it? I've read a few people say its a grill, they are meant to cook on, or "I don't care for lookers", well...if you had other cooker grills and found a sweet Grail...would you use it? Or would you admire it and just use your everyday cookers? Would you really NEED to cook on the Grail? I cook on my Sequoia, and its in NICE condition, but I also have other more common colored grills I cook on too.
Now, this may be best for another thread, but my Wooddale will eventually be for sale. There are those that would consider this a GRAIL for themselves and I know a lot of people would like this grill. I spoke to a handful of you privately about this as well. I'd would like to see it go to a club member, but of course I will have a minimum in mind (less than I know it would fetch on Ebay) I would accept. I'd like to avoid Ebay for now. I took a little bit of grief from a member for listing it there. They had the right intentions, but not realistic ones. The speckled offset handle Smokey isn't your run of the mill grill you see everyday now.
Now...what is the best method for me to do this with the club? I saw the thread Lawrence post for the "Grail Fella" and maybe that's an idea. I want to offer this grill eventually, but how do I avoid :
1) coming across as greedy
2) disappointed members that would really like this grill, but don't get it (its only one grill!)
Ultimately I envision it happening as PMs coming to me. Naturally someone will bid more than someone else. How is this ultimately any different that Ebay? It will no doubt come down to money, and I will say it again, I don't want to come across as greedy. Is there another solution? This is a Wooddale in amazing condition, not a common red grill from the 90's. Input is always welcome.