Why is the Shelter 501 mono so expensive?

They think anyone who would want a mono cartridge will pay extra, I doubt that demand is driving up prices and I can't see any extra costs involved.

I really don't understand the hand made argument, if they are being made by hand then simply run off a dozen or so occasionally to keep in stock. Having come from the era when mono was turning into stereo I well remember all the arguments advanced for the increase in price for stereo ones. They simply have a harder task to perform than the mono ones and the mono can be intrinsically cheaper in material or at the very worst certainly not more. Twice as much seems out of line and an example of the old adage " When the market shrinks raise the price".

I forgot to add that I am a dealer for VDH and Dynavector and I have not noted any quantity discount on my price sheets. I seriously doubt if many dealers keep large numbers of cartridges in stock in these economic times. While I use to order 4 Supex 901s at a time to get the best price [87.50] that was long ago and far away.