how does it work?

Obviously the market's ruled by supply and demand, but at the same time prices must creep up to reflect inflation etc.
I naively assumed 'the going rate' for common collectibles shouldn't really change, (eg £120 for a nice Tempest or £150 for a light pattern) but in the last couple of years places like Protek have been putting their prices up. I guess they are adjusting to the various cost of living increases which is fair enough but then shouldn't everyone?

It can be hard to gauge from private sales...if someone is asking what I think is a lot more than 'the going rate' you don't know how much it sold for, if at all.
I never really sell anything so I'm looking at this from a buyer's point of view but I'm interested in what other collectors think.

Do airgun prices increase across the board in relation to living costs and inflation or do some stay the same for years while others jump up from time to time?

Cheers,
Matt