Audiophile pressings: waste of money?

how can 35-40- 80 (!!!) quid for an album be justifiable? surely a major record company can press a record and sell it at a reasonable price if the wee men can do it? smells of exploitation to me. there is a "live Sh!t" record in a music shop near me sitting in pride of place that was going for 40 quid if i remember correctly..not sure it was really of "collectors item" quality.. somewhere else it would probably have been sold at a boot sale for £2. but then that is maybe an obselete statement as the same goes for antiques that sell for thousands..  would like to hear what kill em all sounded like on vinyl when it was new.. still worth a listen i think.