I have also been wondering this lately.  I 
remember way back, well, not way back, but in 95 
or so, when FY's/other shows were just hitting 
the market. You could find a decent TV Tamahome 
for about 100 bucks or so, not to mention other 
characters for a bit cheaper.  I've also noticed 
a lot of new(er)people getting their hands on 
nice stuff, and going, MAN, where'd they go that 
I didnt?  I dont know, I guess Im a prime example 
of this stuff though.  Most people think Im a 
rather new collector, but Im not. I've been doing 
it since 95 or so. I used to have a nice FY 
collection. I had TV Tama's, and even a nice 
Hotohori that I kill myself everyday for 
selling.  I also had two more cute Nuri 
cels ::CRIES::  I spot them from time to time in 
galleries.  

But, it is really really sad that alot of people 
who've been collecting for a long time have to 
pay the high high prices now.  Whether it be due 
to shows getting faster release dates, more anime 
fans with lots of money, all the way down to just 
plain rich folks.  I cant sit and defend myself 
really.  Most of what I've got, I've had to pay 
HORRID amounts of money for.  But, it is the only 
way to get the cels!  There's a few people out 
there who've got infinately deep pockets, so the 
only way to compete is with money, I guess...and 
brown nosing/making friends/BEGGING.  It's also 
been very stressful for me lately.  To beg and 
ask and offer and hunt and stay up too 
late...only to miss again..it's painful on the 
heart.  I only want a few more cels, and I will 
look forward to retiring from the hunt.  I love 
my babies, but, I also love food...I miss food.  

BTW, what's worked best for me is by far the 
forum.  When I see people looking for stuff, I 
ALWAYS remember them ^_^.