The people that keep paying these prices for an authentic mod are the people that drive the prices up, they are the people that the mod makers love. How high are you willing to go? I really want the authentic Stingray X, but there is no way in hell I would pay 250 for one, but apparently there are plenty of people that would. Would they pay 350? 450? 550? It has to end somewhere. Also, authentic doesn't mean good... You can end up with an authentic piece of crap.
As mentioned above, I can do with or without the logo. It's the people trying to sell the clone's as authentic that you should be going after, not us who pay what we think a product is worth.
P.S. My $50 Stingray X clone ships out today and my wife loves her CZ engagement ring, don't judge her for it.
If a mod/atty has amazing workmanship and quality, people will want it. If demand is high enough, the price will keep. If the demand is even higher, aftermarket value will rise even more. That's just how it is with independent modders and high end gear. Hype also has to do with it, but for the most part, the best atties out there that are $200 are still being sold for $200 used.(More from flippers) Same goes with mods. Find a doodlebug or rocket selling for less than 50% RRP. It's almost never going to happen, and if it does, it'll be sold in seconds.
Less sought after mods/attys will always go down in price. For the most part, vapers that go higher end know what they're buying into. Some will take the chance at a new modder and a new mod, but if they mess up on anything, that piece of equipment will be sold and won't be bought from again. as the process continues, modders that had their chance and blew it will either drop prices or drop out of the game. That's how the business is.
As you said, authentic doesn't mean good, and a lot of vapers that do continually invest their hard earned cash on authentics have the experience to see and know if something has potential. If it looks like it'll vape well, we'll take the chance. If we like the design, we'll take the chance. And chances are, if we like it, there'll be a review and hype will build and people will buy it and China will eventually clone it because it's popular and then... well, you buy the clone.
The thing is, one of the reasons I got into authentics and high end gear is because I wanted to get the best vape experience I could and continue to do so. Yeah, I probably spent more than your average clone-purchaser, but I've tried so many mods/attys out there just from being able to sell my gear closer to RRP or trade my gear for other high end stuff. The value of used authentic high end gear is more likely to stay higher than clone gear. You buy a Caravela clone for $35, and sell for... what? $20 maybe? Less maybe? Whereas you buy a legit caravela for $200-300 and sell for $200-300 within seconds, or trade for most every high end atty/mod you've set your eyes on. And the process continues until you're done. Which never happens in most cases. Hah!
And there goes my little rant. Lol