Parts Prices, WTF?!

I paid $150.00 for an 8.75 housing, small bolt, complete less pumpkin about 20 or so years ago. Those days are long gone. Latest one I bought was $500.00 for a bare housing.
Yup, I paid 400 for a case, then 75.00 bucks for sbp axles, another 500 into a 3:55 suregrip pig that was rebuilt. Then drums/brakes, bearings, etc. The axles were about the only decent deal I got. But after putting in the 340, I needed better than the 71/4 rear. After reading through this thread, that 340 should be worth 5k lol.