Oh, I was just getting into this hobby in 2001, and remember the old Daz Store.  You could spend $50 on a figure that wasn't that great and even animals were that high.  Poser itself was $600 and I had to wait until I could get a special price to be able to afford to buy it.  I agree, when I hear people complain too much about about prices of models and software I'm grateful things are more affordable now.  I can pick up some really fun stuff here for only $10.00--cute chartoon characters that would have sold for $50 bucks back in the day (and weren't as nice looking either).  I do really understand people's concerns about rising prices.  I hate to say it, but I spend more money on clothes for my 3D models than I do one clothing for myself and I could have a shirt or a pair of jeans for the price of some the poser clothes I've bought.  LOL, good thing I don't need clothing too often.  I wouldn't say that things are under priced now, it's just that the market has changed.  In 2001 most of the people getting into 3D art and animation were graphic designers and professionals--when prices are aimed at a professional market they are always higher (think Turbo Squid)--but the Poser market is primarily hobbiest now and hobbiest can't afford to pay $500 for a 3D model--there are also more content creators out there as well.