When the blocks were a lot cheaper, they weren't selling like the other brands. Now that most of the previous suppliers are out, the cost inevitably goes up to buy one. Let alone the manufacturing expenses and tooling.
I was able to go to my local dodge dealer and pick them up. I think I paid just under $3k for that one.
I would say history has shown, the demand wasn't there, and probably still isn't. I am in the same boat...When I called around this winter, nobody had anything in stock.
For me, its cash and carry...Not going to sit back for months wondering about my nearly $8k investment. You either have them or you don't.
If I was one of those manufacturers fighting with a foundry and all my machines were sitting. I would have called a billet supplier and at least kept the machinery rolling as well as development. These is not an easy field to make money for sure. But as a consumer, its still important where my money goes.