What is going on

I've bought and sold stuff for years...I have come out ahead on most things and that's fun. I've also not made anything on some stuff, which is less fun but part of the world in which we live. As is whining, apparently.

I must be doing something very wrong. I've lost tens of thousands of dollars selling beautiful, almost new, kit for, generally, around 50-60 % of retail. No matter how new, or how "low hours", I usually get killed on what I re-coup. So, some peeps are actually making money selling used? Did not know that.

Another thing happening is dealers are trying to sell new stock here.
So if you just look at prices, Yes plenty of near retail prices because they are new. And being sold as new by dealers.

Only made money on guitars I'd bought at a nice discount and sold years later...hifi gear generally was bought used in the first place. I keep what I like for a long time. Hence, a lack of whining.

Asking and getting are two hugely different things.