I do not know the OP but I'd wager his intent was to not bash a vendor. I think it was just an observation and it sort of flew South from there. There are many threads on this board, and others, talking about the prices of corals be it chop shop, aquaculture, private, or any other form of business. There are many. As long as we are all civil about it I think it is a good thing to bring awareness and/or discussion to the tables. I'm pretty positive that the businesses see and read the comments. If not then some one else does and relays the information.
We all have a "through the roof" opinion, I know I have several. Example one. In 2016 I was shopping around for a GT350 Mustang. Everywhere I looked dealers had a 20 - 25K ADM markup. That is 25K on top of the MSRP. That is through the roof I thought. My better half was like meh - buy it. I was like no, and so I went for a 2015 GT/PP instead. Hind sight being 20/20 it was probably for the better but guess what. I sure was irked at many a dealer be it local or cross state lines. Enter today. It gets better. I'm now shopping for a 2020 GT500. Can't get one through Ford directly or built so I have to go through dealers. My build lists at $105K. Closest I can get out of state is 145K which is, guess what, 40K over MSRP. Two dealers are asking....169K and it doesn't even include all of the track pack options. So they are asking 169K for the base 80K car. Yeah - they kicked up an order of magnitude or more for the "going through the roof" factor. So here I am again frustrated but hey, it is what it is. The car will sell. I won't buy it. And I'll just continue on my merry way (Merry Christmas to all of you fellow hobbyists out here btw) and let others have the fun. I'm cool.
Here is another "through the roof" moment for me. 6 or so years back I'm at a BBQ place eating lunch. I just happen to be in my uniform at the time. Anyway this young lady sits behind me with a stack of papers. Young man comes in dressed somewhat casually, and introduces himself to the lady. It is an interview. I'm catching bits and pieces of it and it seems to be going ok when the lady says to the young man. Do you mind if I ask you a personal question. Young man says yes. She says as the owner of the restaurant she would like to request he wears long sleeves to cover his tats. She explains that during working hours or if he is working with the customers that is her request. And if he can do that the job is his. He pauses, then extends his hand and yes, yes mam. I can do that for you. And thank you for taking the time to explain it while also extending the interview rather than not have it. After he left I asked the if the lady, who now I know is the owner, if I could talk to her. She said yes, and we spoke for about an hour. She offered to pay for my lunch and I said no. The point is I wanted to just say thanks to her because I thought it was cool what she did. She tried to reach the young man. Explained why she asked him to do so, and if he was offended. Never saw that before. She then looks at me and said look. I'm 35 years old. I work hard. I own 4 small businesses. Two restaurant's, a bar, and dang if I don't forget the fourth. She said she is flexible. Knows what she is looking for and above all tries to make it work for everyone so she can stop by the time she is 45. I took a step back and said wow. She knows what she wants, she is in control, and takes no crap. Honestly - people like that always intrigue me. Is it taught. Is it instinct. How do they do it. It is fascinating. Anyway...
Where is this going and what is the TL;DR? It is this. Businesses will charge what they will. People will either pay or not. Just because someone can we shouldn't judge nor should we get upset (not saying anyone here is doing that). In my case I chose not to pay and bought either something else (the first Mustang) and not play (GT500). The bigger point though is this.
They, the business owner, is the risk taker. They, much like the young woman I spoke to, has the drive, the guts, the risks, everything to include bloody luck, to get where they are. Some are successful. Many are not. That ladies and gentlemen, is the American Dream.
For the record. I'm sort of a 15 - 17 dollar frag kind of guy.