Been in the business a long time and almost every conversation goes like this :
I want blah, blah, blah and blah but its got to a deal or real cheap, well you get what you pay for, no way bro, It has to be blah, blah and blah and cheap.
I can point out all the benefits of products but in the the end price is all that matters. Just look at all of threads on this site. Almost all of them are about where to get stuff cheap. My bike is better because it was cheap, I can buy Chinese carbon rims and lace my own wheels and they are better because they are cheap. Where can I buy the cheapest stuff I can online?
Want to make a wager I am wrong, lets count all of the threads about being cheap! Boom, winner!
Of course it comes down to money for most people. If I can't afford it, I can't consider it. If I'm looking at two affordable options at different price points, then I need to decide if it's worth the price difference for any of a variety of reasons, and if that money could be better spent elsewhere. If I can find it cheaper elsewhere, I'll buy it elsewhere. I like my local shops, but they're trying to make money just like I'm trying to save money.
I'm sure when you try selling something to a customer, the first thing you think of is "how can I help this customer get the best product at the best price for them?" I bet it is "How can I convince them to increase their budget?" If you call people looking for the most cost-effective product "cheap", then I would like to know which company you work for so I can make sure not to shop from that company.
I don't understand how you can be so out of touch with reality. Are you really wealthy from the mountain bike industry? Have you always been wealthy? If not, then I'm sure you just buy the most expensive insurance, house, car, food, etc. that you can find while making a median salary. I wish money was not a concern, but for me it always will be.
