correctomundo. everyone has a point to make here. it falls into a category of personal conscience. we just need to not upset or alienate other collectors or re sellers. i take all these points into consideration before making an offer.
I have no problem with asking or being asked. Think about American Pickers. They show up at random stranger's houses and ask them to sell things they never thought about selling and they do it for a living. Its all about how it is done.