I went to an auction once, and they auctioned off a flat of mason jars. The exact same flat could be purchased at the grocery store two miles away. In fact, I am confident that this very flat had been purchased at this grocery store at some point in the past.
But up went the bidding, to about triple the price. There was nothing rare or collectible about these mason jars...they were just ordinary jars. And I have to assume that anybody who wants mason jars actually uses them...meaning that they already know what a fair price for jars is. Didn’t stop them from bidding it up, though.
I was fascinated.
Don’t get me started on the baskets....baskets?!?!? The wife’s baskets were worth more than hubby’s guns.
I agree. I'm amazed at basket prices. At least baskets do have some kind of utility, but when you can buy a similar basket (without name brand) at Target or WalMart for a few bucks, then you know where the customers will go if baskets ever again become truly essential.
Guns, on the other hand, aren't easily manufactured, really do require precision milling, and are critical for security and useful for sustenance.
My dad's old 22 rifle, still in very good shape, that he bought when I was a kid 50 years ago, is worth in present dollars exactly what it was when he purchased it.