The depreciation appeared to take effect around the same time as the introduction of cheap crapsoft and clearsoft in recent years. Items that were $500 plummeted in apparent value to $250, Things that were $700 became $350. At first the new item prices may look enticing but you have to wonder if its the same quality product as the originals from half a decade ago.
Since then people get replies like "Hay guize xcuse mai spellin eye wanna bi yur aire sof but imma onla gonna paye dis twenty dolla billz becuz eye can git it cheap now from canadien tyr".