You mentioned a controller's price, not about pack in stuff. And while I agree somewhat with that statement, it will soon be moot as DS's will soon become the pack in. Besides, it's not as if Sony was hoarding the DS3 all these years...they couldn't do jack about it until that stupid lawsuit was over (which I will agree they shouldn't have fought and tried to settle out of court for significantly less than Immersion wanted. ).
Replacement battery instructions are actually in the manual. Sorta like when the Gameboy Advance SP came out...Everyone whined about a rechargable battery , but it was serviceable with a screw. I would hope Sony begins to sell controller batteries instead of forking out for new controllers.
Going back to the price...we are in the age of expensive add ons...360 HDD's, DS3's(for early adopters I suppose), and Wii Remotes that sell you a separate nunchuck (which many games require) for $60 total. 360 controller is only $50 but many people buy play and charge kits and that shoots it up. We don't like it but we don't have much choice. At least with the PS3 and 360, there ARE alternatives out there.
And now ack to the thread