The use of the term "Rare"

I was wondering what the opinion of the board members are on the over use of the term "rare". It turns up the most when describing T206 backs that to me could be termed tough or scarce and not "rare". I am sure there are cards in other sets that the term "rare" is an exaggeration.

Lee

Rare is pretty meaningless to me. It's been so overused that when it is used properly, it just doesn't carry the same impact anymore. Perfect example is the Oingo Boingo album I asked about elsewhere. I don't know if it is rare or not. It could have just been a typo that was never corrected. So until I see a corrected version, I'll be skeptical that my album is rare.

People that use that term are basically hoping that they can lure someone who isn't so knowledgeable into bidding more than what the item normally sells for. Basically, I'm a cynic and that's why focus groups love me. They can get insight into that small percentage of people that aren't swayed hype and hyperbole. Latest focus group I did was for yogurt. Got paid $50 to taste test yogurt for 30 minutes. To bad I can't get that kind of work every day.

Jay