I get that the higher end stands will cost a lot of money, and for a pro mechanic, a 200+ dollar stand is likely warranted.

but for most of us, it's just a difficult pill to swallow, and the cost of making them really is not what is driving this IMHO, you can get entire bikes at walmart for 100 bucks which are a lot more complex then a workstand.

IMHO this is just a case of simple economics, supply and demand, as long as people will pay the money for the stands they will continue to cost that much.

My buddy and I use an old trainer he found at the curb in Brooklyn as a makeshift "Stand" to hold it upright, works for most of what we need to do and for the things it doesn't we just flip it upside down on the table.. Yes a stand would be easier, but that 130 - 200 is far better off in our pockets so we can buy more bikes/components etc