Why do we spend silly sums of money on tackle when we could pick up a used rod and a decent reel for peanuts? The fish doesn't care. An early Edward Vom Hofe Perfection or Tobique won't perform as well as a new Saracione and a nice Hardy Salmon 2 can be had for 250 bucks and it will last a few generations, reversible wind, spare spools, what more could you want.
Dickersons are getting crazy and good Paynes are close to four thousand dollars. Forget about Garrisons and the like, they are fetching astronomical prices.
Perhaps we buy them because it makes us feel good, perhaps it is a way to honour the sport. Maybe we just want to impress our buddies, better yet maybe we didn't get hugged enough when we were young, I have no idea. After my son left I went in to my tackle bag to make sure the 00 and Baby Trout wide were okay, maybe this Ebay guy was on to something.