The used market is now probably the biggest shifter of 'off the shelf' gear (mainly electric but not exclusively so).
If I was honest I would say that, besides items like electronic modification kit, detailing and some scenic buildings etc, I have mainly bought locos and rolling stock of all gauges from 'pre-loved' sources.
I tend to kitbash or scratchbuild my buildings or even buy used and then modify them.
There is definitely a perceived glut of 'off the shelf' kit on ebay and on the G scale-meet 'preloved' dealerships.
Having said this the 7/8th scale and 16mm( live steam and electric ) market seems to trundle along nicely with a fairly healthy exchange of gear and, for the deep pocketed hobbyist, new purchasing going on.
There will always be those that like buying their kit new and would never think of weathering or modifying it.
These souls are the ones who keep the dealers of new kit going.
It is interesting that most if not all of the G scale dealers have always dealt, to a lesser or greater extent, with second hand gear but this will obviously affect the number of sales of new kit and in turn the manufacturers will see a declining market and produce less and less new models...or like with manufacturers like Accucraft, or even Marklin, do shorter runs of models... or make them more expensive with higher profit margins.
The more skillful hobbyists tend to scratch build or kitbash so they will be mainly buying tools, parts (new and used ) and maybe used locos/rolling stock/scenic items that need TLC.
I am of course generalising as there will those who might scratch build/kitbash one aspect of the hobby while making purchases of new gear in another aspect.
The Grim Reaper...
The nature of the hobby is that it tends to be mostly populated by 'the older community' with a certain amount of spare cash.
Unfortunately it is a fact that the aged clientele will move on from this mortal coil and their collection of gear will also then pass on to auction houses, used dealers and online auction platforms, (or Associations and friends of course).
As the 'G Scale' hobbyist numbers slowly contract, (there are newcomers, but I am not sure if they are outpacing those leaving the mainstream hobby), there will be even more used equipment available to add to the glut.
