Most of my basses have been acquired through trades, I think it's a much more efficient and a cheaper way of getting stuff. I've paid out literally nothing since I bought an Ibanez Musician MC900 for £250, since then i've had a Musicman Stingray, Lakland 55-02 and now the Corvette. All have these have been from trades from that original Ibanez.
That said - if [i]no-one[/i] buys a new bass, there will be llittle supply for those looking in the 2nd hand market.