| Doesn't the fact that they recover the investment mean that enough | people wanted the product and were willing to pay for it?

Well, I dunno, it could also mean that an organization with enormously successful marketing skills was able to make hay out of an alternative that makes heedless yompers pay excessively for often really unsuitable machinery. No?

Sean. (looking for better suggestions for a 'y' word)

Perhaps. But I would hope that people would buy what they need as opposed to what they THINK they need or are TOLD they need. As for the "heedless yompers," they're going to get taken no matter who does what.