Well, it sounds like HLJ continues to be a good place to buy.
Costs increase. Some due to market forces such as labor, materials, maintenance of equipment.... profit margin.... "greed".
The only thing a consumer can do with a limited supply item is pay what the primary market demands, hunt the secondary market "E-bay", or not buy and built it ourself.
I do not have the time, money, or skill to start my own production line. It hurts to spend the money but this is not a need. At least the Yamatos are not a need as long as I can get Hasegawa models.