People know exactly how much or little they will use a conventional display, that makes it easy to decide on a quality/price range. With a VR headset, it's like buying a guitar without ever having played a musical instrument. Most people prefer to start with the cheapest model in a situation like that and only get a better one once they know they will stick with the instrument. Actually it's even worse than that with the rift, because right now we don't even know if anyone would stick with a VR headset once the novelty effect wears off and all bets are off about social conventions regarding rift usage.
Of course we all understand why Oculus does not want to offer cheaper, low spec models that might fill the "beginner model" gap. In that kind of situation, maybe Oculus would do well offering franchise kits for rent-a-rift shops. The last remaining video stores might be a good match, the audience is open for technological home entertainment and their economic situation is likely to be desperate enough to try new side lines.
really? seems fine to me. this is cheaper than most high end tv / monitors.
tech early adopters and taste makers have six figure incomes, many are just straight up rich.