Blame it on Lebowski. They saw the 12,500 figure. Stern says Why can't my machines sell for the same? Sad thing is they could, just take your time, install innovative features asked for by customers backed by a great Theme and mass produce them. Uhh, the Market can't support such inflated prices. So they try and stay on the cusp of the highest price a Collector will pay.
They have not found that cusp yet.