True, Johnson!
Prices are out of line.
A few years ago I corresponded with a well known sail and kite designer about getting a custom made sail for a small boat. He quoted me a price for a custom sail based on a design of his, made of my choice of dacron or laminate, for less than the average production model kite!
For $1100 as I recall, I could get a custom sail shipped to me.
For an additional $50/hour of his time, I could have him alter it to suit my needs exactly.
By the way this sail would be my choice of dacron or laminate (extra few $100 I think), with a life expectancy of 5 years minimum, maybe 10 if not abused.
If you look at sail lofts online you will see that you can buy a high tech, custom sail for a yacht, with area twice that of a kitesurf kite, for the same price.
In kiting, we pay a "bespoke" price for a mass-market product, in a sport too small to have a mass market in the first place!
Marketing, tariffs, and hand-finishing are the factors that keep kites expensive.
Technology can free us from the tariffs and much of the hand-work.
Only our minds lock us into the marketing image the current brands rely on.
I am not saying any of this just to be cheap, but for the good of all.
(In my opinion at least!).
Currently surfers can get an awesome custom surfboard for around $500,
or a CI or Lost model for $600, $700, or $800. All made of the same foam and glass!
In the future, hopefully as kiters, we will have a similar option - pay heavily for image, or pay less for what you really want.