Currently I'm mining litecoin with just one card.
I extensively did my homework (I don't have money to lose) and it came as a high risk, uncertain reward investment.

But I end up checking the pool and RDP to my mining computer every hour or so. It's addictive. I know I'm not making breakeven until 5-6 months form now, presuming the diff will only increase 3% per interval, which is hugely understating it.
But it makes me feel involved and active.

I had a similar feeling playing ogame and checking every hour to make sure no one crashes my fleet.

If I am to add up the cost of time and expertise to that of hardware, I'm afraid mining is a net losing proposition at my scale and resources.

So, I'm guessing the buyers might also be former GPU miners trying to feel they are still in the game. The price, 40-50$ will be written off as entertainment expenses.