I recall discussions about "when figures hit 150 dollars I'm out" and for a lot of those folk stating that sentiment that was the truth, they wound down and moved on. The community of collectors lost some great dudes while the new guys entering the hobby were the "buy as an investment" or "follow the fad" types who often didn't actually have any passion for the hobby and didn't really contribute any value beyond "here are pics if my new HT acquisition". Gone were the many threads on customising, repair, kitbashing and scratchbuilding, in came endless posts of the same exact figure posted dozens of times by multiple collectors with little true passion for the hobby.
It would help this hobby immeasurably, if we are talking the 1/6th aspect of it, if there was "entry level" product at brick and mortar locations widespread. That's how the hobby grew so fast in the old days, you would get adults seeing 1/6th on the shelves in a Target or TRU, and would explore online further and see the wealth of other options available. Entry level product at entry level pricing would increase the interest in the hobby. But that would typically also infer competition. It wasn't just GI Joe on the shelves back then, but also Ultimate Soldier and Soldiers Of The World too. Because of licensing and HT's relationship with SSC, there isn't much competition available for a lot of the subject matter that's coming out now.
There were both good and bad people in the hobby in the old days, it was just the raw numbers were higher, so the proportional rate of good people and talented people were able to trickle in more. But there were always jack offs in this hobby, even back then. And thieves. I don't think newer collectors are worse, I just think the rise of the hobby in the early 2000s lined up with the widespread use of the internet. More people were exploring the wonders of the web. Now, you get more people where being online is a majority, sometimes all ( that's kind of tragic) of their total socialization and social interactions. IMHO part of the problem is you are getting in a smaller proportion of people period, and you are getting a more current larger share who don't have much socialization outside of the internet.
When the hobby had more competition and more entry level product, it could open itself up to a wider range of people and perspective and talent. Now, it's filtered down a bit to those who can afford the current slate of 1/6th. This is why 1/12th is booming. It's got competition, it's got robust third party support, it's got brick and mortar access, it's got potential to grow it's fan base.
The last two considerations is that many "grails" were made in the 2008-2014 era. Lots of people got their grails, then punched out. Or refused to chase more grails at the spiking price points. Also if we talking this community, the "mass customizers" stole a lot of money here. They drove A LOT of people away. Back then, the influx of new people coming into the hobby could cover some of the participation losses, but not anymore. Right now every act of mass theft in this hobby , mostly coming from the "brands", is silently killing off participation in this forum. It's killing morale in the people who are left. Many will leave.
My take is the last strong gasp for this hobby will likely be within the 3D printing aspect of it. Make your stuff. Build your own projects. Construct your own army. There's still lots of opportunity there, if people seek it.
People can still have fun in this hobby. They just have to adjust. They have to accept the old days are not coming back. People in the hobby who are jack offs are looking to take advantage of the situation. Any situation. People in the hobby that nearly everyone is happy to be around are the type to take advantage of the opportunities as they present themselves.
If people love the toys enough, there's always a way. That's my take on it.
I should probably take that as a sign and quit with the collecting. I only have a few on preorder right now, but still have my eye on several that I've wanted for years (T-1000, Walking Dead, Daenerys)
