I've been surprised in general at prices for used flatware. We have a set that we really like; it originally wasn't expensive relatively speaking, but we love t

I've been surprised in general at prices for used flatware. We have a set that we really like; it originally wasn't expensive relatively speaking, but we love the size and style. It's very simple and functional, and has lasted really well. Over time, we started worrying about losing pieces, so decided to augment what we had by buying whatever we could when we found it. In the process I learned that most of what we were looking at was not actually cheaper than a brand new set, per item. Many of the complete sets were still not that inexpensive. It seems like there's some combination of people doing what we were doing, filling out place settings and whatnot. Also, good flatware doesn't really degrade, and over time it becomes a sort of collector's item.