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In defence of the middle aged not badly off guys
I've no issue with those guys - I do own a mirror - collecting is fine, and if they get the kids out they actually get to listen to the records rather than Baby Shark, it's the reselling buy-to-flip aspect.
The interest, for me, was getting stuff that had been out of print forever or hadn't had vinyl releases. Funky coloured vinyl also gets me unnecessarily excited.
kl-
Interesting stats from Discogs recently showing buyers by age. Younger buyers avoiding coloured vinyl because it's unnecessarily expensive and often lower quality pressings.
I'll have to have a closer look at the sellers on Discogs to see if they look like retail flippers. I recognise a lot of the sellers who are getting their stock from the same distribution network I do because they are always listing around the same time I'm getting mine on the shelf.
Airhead
In defence of the middle aged not badly off guys (or manboys), most of us have been collecting records since our childhood and we might just be buying a lot more records than we need or can play in what short time remains on earth!
If you go to record fairs you'll see manboys spending big bucks and they're unlikely to be turning a profit based on record fair prices.
If you are in your 30's and building a collection I can understand the frustration but once the kids have stopped draining the finances and the mortgage is paid there's a bit more cash for time consuming hobbies.
What I don't understand is why most of the albums are of interest aside from limited availability and the possibility of a price squeeze.
Despite what I've said about major labels, they have every one of their top albums in a current version at all times (occasionally awaiting a repress) and often they are decent pressings. I suppose they are less inclined to rush them. The obscure stuff that's on RSD release is either going for more money on Discogs because it's limited or is on offer this week through distributors.