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I'm probably preaching to the choir with your background, but I'm sure most retailers worth their business salt will price it for some combination  of: delivered cost + current perceived market value + expected lower revenue for slow moving inventory + expected obsolescence. The 'market value' might be the largest component.  Retailers with low inventory build to order for long lead times have lower obsolescence recover cost added but it really hurts the impulsive buyer market, which is big when there is all this hoopla raging. The impulsive buyer also tends to pay more. I'm guessing that LAB wont make you wait unless you want custom tweaked stuff.    

Fair points - one thing I would note, speaking as a consumer, the base model here is already very expensive. There is a (fairly large) part of me that is much more willing to pay additional customization costs if it's going to work better when the underlying product is expensive. If I'm getting a $10 putter out of a bargain bin, I'm comfortable giving it a try and if it doesn't work, then whatever - no big deal. Spend $450 plus tax and it better be good. I'd rather have something for 560 that's spot on rather than something that's 450 and not what I need. I'd also go the extra mile and pick out some of the visual customization as well - different color, different alignment lines etc. I don't necessarily see that $110 as poor value when it's already a high end and expensive piece of equipment. I don't know whether that's me being what the market will bear or that it costs them that much more to make it, but I don't particularly care either way. At the end of the day it really is just about what the market (i.e. me) will bear.  I will also note that I don't have a LAB putter and while I am periodically tempted, I'm not going to get one until I can be sure I'm getting the one that's right for me. Short of going to Oregon, I'm not sure how that can happen either, so I will remain a spectator who occasionally pops to PGA Superstore to have a play around with one.

One thing I've wondered about with set to the side camera models in addition to toe shanks; Is does the plexiglass covering the cameras get all dirty? Especially when hitting from grass. I've used skytrak with a mat before and it ends up getting what I'll call "mat dust" on it. But that easily wipes right off. I've never used one of these in the grass. But I would think they'd get "grass splatter" on them. ... maybe? is that an issue? 

I see what you are saying. I work with companies that make everything from hearing aids, to assembly cells, to fire trucks, to combines. Pretty much everything in between. I know of very few who cannot handle one-piece flow. (I'm actually struggling to think of any other than Rolls Royce. Incidentally, Rolls Royce is without a doubt the worst manufacturer I've ever worked with.) Either LAB's factory is really behind the times. (Pre-1992) or they are sticking you for ordering a custom.  Again, if they are making their customs from special order parts that's one thing. But since they are just building from standard parts, then either their factory sucks, in which case I could help them. Or they are just charging what the market will bear. And in that case, shame on us, the consumer, for allowing it.  A couple of good reads on the subject are "The Toyota Production System" (originally published in 1992, updated several times.) And the even better "The Toyota Way" (originally published in 2003). Any manufacturer of any product should be able to achieve one-piece flow.       Don't get me wrong. Even though I personally didn't really like their putter, I'm rooting for them. I've been involved with American Manufacturing since the late-80's. I got to see first hand as Toyota Principles migrated to the US. Pretty much every major American Manufacturer has adopted these principles in some form or another.... or they've gone out of business.  LAB is an American Manufacturer and therefore I'm on their side. Which is why if they really do need an extra 110 to 150 bucks to produce a custom from standard parts, I (and others like me) can help them.  I decided to write them an email and simply ask them if the additional cost was due to market value or cost-plus pricing. I'll let you know if they respond.   

Day 229 (18 Dec 24) - Wonderful Wedge Wednesday - pulled out the 58* to hit some easy 58* wedges in the backyard-key focus again was on the foot position (getting that slightly open foot stance, opened hips and making a smooth swing thru the ball.