To the OP - when I first started looking around at gex a few years back I was amazed that such a pretty little ethereal creature could have a price that is more than I've ever paid for a horse, my first car was a $500 Datsun 120Y that cost far less than some of the newer morphs, or a cow in calf and one at foot, a dog, or a snake.
I think this is what you were saying when asking about prices?
We always compare back to what we have paid for other things?
Most probably the geckoes you really liked are the latest fruit of many hard years of guesswork, dedication, and love.
My first reaction (soon after you could buy them on licence) was that there were other people who would do a FAR better job than me at learning the ropes, breeding for certain colour traits, taking the punt, and learning on the go with these seemingly fragile little ones. Now that all the hard work has been done - there are some immaculate little ones becoming available for sale that are amazing - both in vigour and colour.
I have two wheeleri now - and am LOVING it.
I still fire off the occasional email to the breeder as things occur to me - and get an answer back within the day.
They are really quite easy to keep - and as I'm happy to leave the breeding up to the experts - I just get a HUGE bloody kick out of them - they stalk and hone in on one of their woodies, tails wiggling, then smash them.
Work out what you can afford - then approach a couple of breeders.
You won't regret it.