So what's the better deal (honestly)?

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 ;) 

Your right, The speaker manufacturers "should" build their speakers with a real "Base" as they used to. But that would cost them money....Hmm.
   I buy full, "live", "Slabs" of Maple, Walnut and etc. to make my speaker bases. And they do not need special "Feet", "Outriggers" or "Whatcha-Ma'call'it's", To sound decent!