I mean no disrespect, but those prices are high for a new business that has yet to establish that they can deliver consistent quality, sizing and fit. If you are wealthy and you don't mind taking a gamble, perhaps you won't mind but if you are more frugal, probably not...
High new prices and very low used resale value is indeed a risk i am not ready to take again.
Look at the Diamond Dave debacle, his Shinki jackets used to sell for $1400 new, now you would be lucky to get $350 for a used one. My DD J-100 is unsellable because of that, it makes no sens for me to sell it at 1/4 of what i spent on it.
I would be afraid of being stuck in a similar situation again... And like you i am going to wait and see what happens.
Saying that i very much look forward to seeing more from him.