Have the things people buy most ever been the things that appreciate in value? Antiques derive their value from rarity, implying that most examples weren't good enough to survive. It's the "Old buildings were all well-made" fallacy.

The good news is that the product's ability to provide value is no longer explicitly tied to its ability to hold value.

Really? Outside of tech, I don't see items dropping in value any more than they would have a hundred years ago. Sure, used silverware commands a very low price, but I'm pretty sure that has been the case ever since we stopped making it out of silver.

Physical manufactured goods tend to be depreciating assets. Cars, electronics, houses less taxes and maintenance, all come to mind.

This has almost always been true; the few consumerish things that sometimes (but not very often) hold value or appreciate include: - Artwork, folk art, decorative items - Handmade furniture - Musical instruments - Firearms - Limited-production autos

Most consumer items are not investment, they are expenses. So one shouldn't have any hopes of holding or appreciating in value. Why you expect your TV be an investment that raises in value? Do you expect the same from your shoes?