I was going to recommend the resale arguement Alan, but it looks like you've already done the convincing! Anyway, Astro gear usually only depreciates about 30% if you look after it (which most people do very carefully), so you can always get most of your money back - not so with most hobbies.
In fact, don't forget to keep watching the classifieds here - if you buy a quality 2nd hand scope, its unlikely to lose much more value at all......
In fact, you MIGHT say it then cost nothing at all......
