Why are record cleaners so expensive?

I got an early HW-17 on ebay for around 250.00

has it worked?  yes saved a number of records

has it paid itself off   not really :)

The price it takes to buy a used (or even new) VPI HW-16.5 will get you perhaps as good a record cleaner as you need. Far better than a Spin-Clean and far cheaper than an ultrasonic cleaner.

Simao,
I also use the Spin-Clean, but I finish up with a KAB EV-1 to vacuum off the bath water. The EV-1 is basically the top portion of a Nitty Gritty record cleaner, and hooks up to your own vacuum cleaner. At $169, it's an economical alternative to the machines with a built-in vacuum.

I believe the results from this combination are better than using the EV-1 alone and WAY better than the Spin-Clean alone.

Well, Sim, I'll take your question at face value.

First, an ultrasonic machine is not a glorified vacuum cleaner. Not remotely.

Second, sonic difference. I used to clean with a two wand method on a VPI. Now I clean at 80KHz and hear as big a difference as doubling the cost of a component. Many of us have a  $3,000 phono stage, or amp, or table, or speakers. Hence cleaning for $3,000 is perfectly viable on a strict cost/benefit analysis, on this measure alone.

Then there is the cost of a factory retip, about $3000 for mine. Since a recent study showed that the grunge in a record groove is one third diamond grit plus grease, which is a premium grinding compound, removing all of that grit should multiply the lifespan of a stylus. $3000 for record cleaning is a bargain on this measure alone.

Then there are the records. If you have 3000 records, it's only a dollar apiece. Even if you buy at garage sales, a dollar each is not significant, on this measure alone.

So there you have it. Out of reason? Not by my analysis.

If a power cord or a couple of rare records can cost $3k or more why can't an excellent record cleaner cost the same or less?
$3k for a great custom suit is not nearly enough, by the way. Try $8k - 10k. 
Having said that, I do think that $3k machine is overpriced, but so are many things.
Personally, $499 Okki Nokki with Audio Intelligent fluids is all I need. But it takes time and effort, that's not " push button " device.
Rich people employ different kind of mathematics, and from their point of view it sounds like a correct one.
I myself pay $500-$600 for a custom hand made knife from time to time, which would be considered madness by most people. I consider it inexpensive, some cost thousands.