With sufficient knowledge, you can indeed buy wisely. In over 20 years of collecting, I can only remember 2 bikes upon which I lost money. In both cases the loss was minimal. From the earnings on the dozens and dozens of bikes sold at a profit I have been able to afford my collection.

I know the sole reason I like bikes is to wring my tiny hands about their future value. Yup. Nothing more I like more than scratching 2 nickels out of something that isn't my job. If I don't monetize every aspect of my life, then that is not a life worth living.

I think it was Socrates who originally said that, but only for a fee.