So what's the better deal (honestly)?

You guy's "Paint" speakers???? Yuck!

 I only build with real woods. Plus, "When needed"- carbon fiber/resin.  Epoxy finishes with 1/4" clear over the wood. Never paint!
 Building a set now with "Mappa Burl" and "Mahogany". Also with "Flame/curly maple", accents. Next set will be "Bloodwood", "Purple Heart" with Carbon Fiber.

Both the expensive paint job and speaker footers are the way the manufacturer gets more of your hard earned $$$. A pair of $7600.00 pods for your speakers is just Magico  excess.  If the speakers need the special pods to sound their best, they should be included with the speakers, not as an expensive add on. This is mostly greed by the manufacturer and it’s amazing how many people will get sucked in to buy it. 

Amen, Stereo!!!! 

Stereo5

you nailed it!

why do people bite?

manufacturers do it if there’s demand. Who do we blame?

paint job is a “luxury”while special pods is “audiophilliac”?

A set of 6 Steelpoint Ultra 6 will cost you ~$5500.
Most of my audio pals, who use Wilson, use 8 of these (!!), and that is after the surcharge on paint ;)