I think the economy for the last 6 years has been bad for hobbies too. The hobby is at the low end of priorities for disposable income, as it should be in life. There are still lots of people out of work and as someone mentioned above, who has seen a 33% wage increase in the last 5-10 years. I was laid off and forced into retirement with the subsequent changes in income.
Just yesterday I was in the Local HObby Shop and talking to the owner, the subject came up. He said the same things about product backorders today. he also said that those "good old days" were a problem too, he said at that time there was too much product chasing too few dollars and there were losses in the business as a result. Another side of the issue.
