I agree with the "it's just cheaper/easier to buy right now".
I've been getting in to autographed cards lately, TTM/IP non certified. Between longtime hobbyists clearing out their collections, dealers I trust with a book of stuff they've collected at shows over the last few decades, and some low risk purchases on ebay, times are good for cash right now.
in the last year or so, I've picked up:
1981 D George Brett auto ($6.50 dlvd with 25 other Brett cards and an insert lot)
1994 Team Stadium Club Roberto Alomar auto $2.99
Goudey reprint Gehringer auto $20
SportKings reprint Hubbell auto($20)
Monte Irvin, Killebrew, Slaughter, and Boudreau TCMA autos $28 dlvd
1976T Pete Rose Auto under $20 dlvd with misc inserts/base
tcma Koufax auto $30
1981 D Yogi Berra auto $15
1961T Duke Snider auto $15
1983 D HOF Heroes Snider auto $9
1987 T Blyleven auto $7 (probably overpaid, but it was here in MN right after his HOF announcement)
1987 Nestle Warren Spahn auto $6
1988D Musial auto $15 (older, more legible version)
1988 Pacific Bob Doerr $5
1990 D Blyleven (part of 4 card Angels auto'ed AS lot incl 1 deceased for around $7 dlvd for the 4 cards)
1991 T Tom Glavine $8
1961 Fleer Feller $15
1960 Fleer Feller PSA/DNA slabbed $20
(4) Ted Williams Card Co. Brooks Robinson autos $2.99 ea
Tough to find someone willing to trade a HOF auto for a 2003 Adrian Beltre GU card
Misc Garvey, Valenzuela, Kaat, Tiant, Tommy John, on card autos $2-10 ea, and a pretty good handful of TTM autos of 1960's-1980's Topps/Fleer/Donruss for $1 or less each. Cheaper than the postage to actually send them out TTM myself.