Over the past 15 years I have seen many a collector come and go, in and out of this hobby. Some of the most avid of collectors are now not interested. I collect because I enjoy it and feel as though I have a connection to the items I collect. I am interested in history and not so much the return. However, I know for a fact that there is an inherent value in the collection and of course that value fluctuates.
Saying that you have been somehow cheated by the hobby is kind of ridiculous. There's another club you can join, it's called "Lowered Expectations"

All the Best,
Eric