Why is the price of new tonearms so high

Dear T_bone, I assume that the "Oldskool"-thread was shut down because of the verbal insults between Raul and Bob. A pity indeed. I doubt that we will ever see again that much information about tonearm-geometry and set-up piled together in one thread here on Audiogon.
Well, as for the original matter of this thread: - marketing and the fast dollar. There are no other reasons for the current prices asked for top-flight tonearms. Material and construction as well as manufacturing costs can't justify the asking prices.
Cheers,
D.

D
what in your opinion constitutes a good tonearm?

Maybe because people think if it costs more it has to be better.Manufacturers use this ploy to the hilt to maximize profits.Just my opinion,feel free to disagree.

" Why is the price of new tone arms so high?"

Someone in the market for say the Goldmund Reference Model Two at $300,000.00, or even any number of other tables on the market for $40,000.00 and up.
What starting price range and available brand of tonearms would someone with this kind of budget choose?
Whats the best known performing cartridge on this tone arm a $5,000.00 brand or a $20,000 one?

I don't know what your perception is of people in this hobby like this are, myself, what ever makes you happy.

However someone that spends $70,000.00 plus on speaker wire alone, bi-amp pair and 20 feet of it, this is where my view of them changes.