I certainly learn by experience, especially if has cost me money.
I think one the the problems we have, especially in the last few months, we have had to buy almost exclusively by mail order. There is little advice available along that route.
When I was first into model boats, about 40 years ago, you generally bought what you needed from your local model shop. This was usually run by a wizened old fella who knew it all and more to the point was willing to share it all. That seems to be a thing of the past unfortunately.
With the internet & 'electronic' mail order we have more choice than we've ever had, which is good, however we struggle with informed choice, which is what we really need. Even on an excellent forum such as this, advice is often contradictory and the world & his wife is quite willing to tell you that you are wrong, often sarcastically. People seem much less willing to actual share good advice based on experience.
Lest you all think that I am slagging off the model boat community, I'm not, these attitudes are rife across a whole range of hobbies. Hobbies of all stripes seem to be dominated by the "I wouldn't do it like that" brigade, while jealously guarding their hard won knowledge.
Personally I have never had that attitude, I have been a First Aid trainer most of my adult life, my remit has been to share knowledge, and that applies to my hobbies too. And in life in general too, I write pub quizzes, even that is sharing my knowledge with one & all.