Lots of ways to get more, for less. Your example of Starbucks is interesting- The Left talks about The Right being greedy, but look at the prices of Starbucks and their political slant. I know cars and trucks are priced on demand- if the trucks aren't selling, they drop the price but people want what they want and they need to pay, to play. I'm not going to, but others will. Some people take pride in their home, many let it fall apart but one easy way to get more for the money is to buy the worst home in the best area and rehab it.
I'm not blaming the manufacturer, I'm blaming people for wanting more than they can afford.