Fuck the "top collectors"
Honestly, with a few minor exceptions, the *best* games on the neo can be found relatively cheap. You just have to work at it, find a foreign region or just wait.
SS2 - $40
KOF 98 - $120
FFS - $20
AOF2 - 20
BBS2 - $100
KOF 2002 -$200
RBFF2 & Special - $170
Now, there are a few exceptions (the slugs, Garou, BS and NTM) to that rule.. but for a little money (most at or under $100) you can own the absolute cream of the crop of Neo games. Outside of that, you're in collector territory and not enjoying the system for what it is. 75% of the library is mediocre at best. 50% is below average or unplayable crap.
Even if you need to play those games, you can get them converted, emulated, ported or on a cheaper format (CD and MVS) for peanuts.
All that being said, the AES market is treated like a commodities exchange and like all markets, it will inevitably crash. I've been saying this for over a decade and while it hasn't happened yet, IT WILL. Look at other VG markets... eventually the bubble bursts and you can pickup your favorite games much cheaper.
As for the attitude of elitism, it's a marketing trick to part idiots from their money. Don't fall for it or sacrifice something else to fit in. It's like anything else in life.
"There wouldn't be any carnies if there were no rubes."