I've been a collector since the mid-90s and it's definitely changed substantially in that time. I used to be one of maybe two or three collectors at the auctions among the operators, who would gasp when I paid $800 for a mint condition Indiana Jones (no fade!) because it didn't earn anymore.

Now, the auctions are long gone and that Indy is $12,000. I got priced out, and there's no more "beaters" to fix up and turn a small profit. Good thing I managed to ride the wave up, otherwise I wouldn't have anything!