Price Increase Ranting

Before I start I am not going to be bitching and moaning about some price increase rumours.
With GW doing their what seems to be annual price increase the fan websites were full of people complaining about how unaffordable things are and how totally unrealistic the hobby is becoming. The rumours, as usual, were rife and some were saying their so called well informed "contacts" told them things were going up as high as 40%. Which I admit was alarming at first.
However this proved not to be the case with most things increasing by a small margin. Unfortunately the LOTR guys took the heaviest hit. But overall happiness was restored as the fuss died down and the promise of new kits on the horizon was anounced.
Some people blame the global recession others raw material costs such as pewter increasing and others new plastic moulding technology. Whatever the reason these things happen and it's out of hands to an extent. The only real reason for the likes of GW to drop their prices would be either a huge drop in sales or the opposite end of the spectrum cheaper mass produced manufacturing to meet high demand. Neither of which seems a reality at least in short term future.
This isn't just a GW issue though it applies to other miniature companies as well such as Privateer Press, Battlefront, Rackham etc.
Face it folks this can be an expensive hobby if you try and buy everything at once or you choose a large horde based army. If you are new there's no way anyone can just go out and buy an Apocalypse force. The idea is to build up your collection gradually. If necessary look through your army and sell off your units that are just gathering dust then sell them off to buy new units.
I'm tierdof hearing bleat on about how unjustified the pricing is on the net. Likewise the two local gamers who recently bailed up the shop assistant at my FLGS and basically had a go at him regarding the price of everything and how they were getting priced out of the hobby. Shame on you!. Nobody was forcing them to buy new stuff and we all know that the new things are a great marketing gimick. Though older models work just as well on the battlefield.
So my advice is ignore those chatroom doom and gloomers. Don't believe anything price wise unless it is official and in black and white. Ask yourself do you really need that new squad or tank? when in reality all that's changed is some basic cosmetics? Lastly if you cannot honestly afford it then in reality leave it on your wishlist it and save up until you can.