I think part of the trouble is non technical people don't realise just how quickly obsolete gadgets get, and how much they come down in price.

After all if you purchase a dining room table and chairs for £400 in a few years time if it is in good condition you could expect to get more like £300-400 for it. In a few years time about the only people interested in something like that tend to be the retro geeks and spods.