Quite frankly, I don't see much problem in spending $500 and up for a hand made, custom recurve with exotic hardwoods, expertly rendered and finished. Those custom bowyers aren't getting rich, for sure.

But spending that much and more on a machine made, mass produced hunk of of plastic and metal that never saw a human hand until it came time to assemble the parts...

But then, it depends on how much disposable income you've got, how much of it you're willing to dispose of, and how bad you want a certain bow.

Myself, I don't have much disposable income. There's a teenager/money sponge living in my house. I've probably bought my last new bow for quite a spell. If, or when, I need a different bow, I'll snoop the used bow racks and secondhand shops.