I'm going to have to call you out here.

Nothing is stopping you from reusing pieces, they're made to the same quality as always. Newer sets don't have as many "speciality" pieces as they did in the dark ages (2000-2005) and the instructions have NEVER had more than 1-2 models in them.

If you want mechanical stuff, buy the Technic range.

And there is no "artificial scarcity" - they just happen to release new products constantly, and they can't keep every single set in production; so sets are retired after 3-4 years.

Finally, scalpers aren't the only ones to buy from; I find below-RRP sets all the time on Craigslist & similar.