Me, Over at QRZ responding to the prices of wire antenna kits anymore::
Understand, I'm simply answering the question of "Why?", or at least giving one answer for it:
For myself, time is a factor, and likely the biggest one.
Look, All three of my antennas have some element of being "Store bought" attached to them. My verticals, (An IMAX2000 and a GP9) I simply bought. One used (Best $30 I ever invested in my station) One new.
I did so mostly, because I figured there was no way I'd be able to get the kind of performance those two antennas are famous for, (read that, "Gain") out of any omni that I could make myself,. (5.2 dBi, and 12dBi, respectively) and frankly, even given the time (which I don't have) I doubted that I had the skills in fiberglass to create such a beast.
Durability is also a factor. Could I get something working? Probably. Would it outperform the items I mentioned, if I did? No way. Would it hold together nearly as long in our weather here in Western NY? Not a bloody chance. And all that assumes that I have the time to dedicate to such a project.
Similarly, my End-fed is driven by a 1500 watt- capable un-un that I had Balun Designs create for me. (Great folks!) . Here again, my skill sets come to play, or rather their lack. Yeah, I MIGHT have had the ability to build an Un-un of lesser power handling ability. but it's performance would have been compromised, even at the lower power handing.
Oh, and no I'm not running full legal power.... I'm still running 100w TPO.... I over-spec'd the un-un for durability, particularly with higher actual SWR in mind.....(I burned up a couple of 49:1 un-uns rated at 100w, because I failed to take into account the back-fed power, through the un-un when running less than fully resonant... dumb)
And that shows another point; I have the skills and the personal radio experience needed to DESIGN such a project, and put it into action, given the parts. (I have an installation to do today, in fact) How many folks buying wire antennas off the shelf as in the examples given in the OP, have such a skill set? I'm guessing, not many. In that way, one can understand the attraction to such kits.
And yes, the prices for wire antenna kits are insane. But over the last three years, what prices are less so?
And look; here's the real issue hiding under all of this; I figure usually someone buying such a kit is striking out on their own. Likely, such a person hasn't got an Elmer to guide them through some of this stuff and lend a design and installation hand.
And there, I think, is likely to be the biggest factor of all; Nobody guiding these folks. They're willing to pay the larger price because they figure why they buy has a better shot at actually working than what they build themselves.
Now, in my case with my two verticals, I have no doubt of this; The GP9 will outdo any omni I could make for those bands, hands down.. But will a store-bought 80mEFHW outperform what I can make? I doubt it, and in terms of bang for the buck, it's not even close.
Thing is, I'm kind of a one-off, in that I'm experienced enough to understand this, given my personal history with things radio. That's a significant advantage that many, (I dare say most newer hams) simply don't have. Mind, I'm not blowing my own horn, I'm not any better than most Hams, or even many.... it's simply that I've gotten to my level of understanding by way of sheer exposure. Like Brear Rabbitt, I've been here before.
Now, what course am I suggesting then? A greater involvement in the development of Newer Hams is in order, to begin with. Local ham clubs can have a massive impact here, and can benefit by their ranks growing if they simply take a greater interest in newer Hams, particularly younger hams.
I make no accusations, here. I merely suggest a course of action that would greatly benefit everyone.
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