As I've indicated previously, used goods manufactured, in some cases many years ago, by the good folks at Alembic have certainly kept pace with inflation. Today $600 for a used F-1X is indeed a good, if not great, price while 3-years ago I purchased my second for $300. At least current levels of "Alembiflation" have now made my GAS urges more likely to be supported (well, at least not protested) by my spouse as much of my current equipment is worth 3-4 times what I paid for it.
On the negative end of things, inflation has hit everywhere. I met a number of the young adults who I coach on a High School Nordic Ski Team at a local ski shop last night to help them select equipment and have discovered that a sport I once touted as "a LOT less expensive than Alpine skiing" is getting to be out of reach for a lot of high school students. Mid to mid/high level racing packages that are needed to complete in both classic and freestyle skate skiing now cost as follows:
Boots: skate $400-$900 classic $300-$450
Bindings: skate or classic $60-100/pair
Skis: skate or classic $450-$900/pair
Poles: skate and classic $100-$300/pair
TOTAL COST = $1,920 - $3,950
I have total empathy for the parents of the boys on the team as these kids grow so fast at this age that equipment needs to be replaced almost every year. My son for example started as a 7th grader on the team at 4'7" & 60 lbs. and as a senior was 6'1" & 180 lbs. At least for the ladies, by the time they get to be juniors in H.S., they have typically hit their max height and weight for the next few years and get to use equipment for 2-3 years without having to replace it. THANK God we don't physically grow out of our guitars/basses.
