What the heck is up with 8-3/4" rearends?

I paid $100 for mine, everything but the 3rd member. $250 for 3:55 suregrip (rebuilt).The problem is that was 15 years ago! I have sold complete rearends for the magic number of $1000 that need rebuilding, so I'm guilty of the high prices too. However, we have to remember, if we wanted to buy cheaper parts we would own Chevy's. There are still quite a few 8 & 3/4's out here, problem is the only two yards that have these older cars know what they can get for them! All American Classics (Vancouver, Wa) and Wildcat Auto Wrecking (Sandy, Or.) I know what I will have to pay for parts and have accepted that. The second problem is, most of the pick n pull places over here on the West coast are owned by scrap metal recycling companies. When they can't afford to buy scrap from the general public for the market price they shut down their yards and start shredding their cars no matter the year. I work in a scrap yard, we don't own any of these yards, however we buy from the public. I see cars of all years hauled, towed and driven in, yes I said Driven! Anyways, there is no getting away from it, if we don't like the weak original rearends we need to pony up the $$$$.