Right, but all three versions have crazy boxes. I mean a version with a standard box and one with a crazy box.
That's exactly my point... I'm all for the premium edition having a cool collector box, but the regular one shouldn't if it's impossible to have within reasonable costs.
I just find that some decks don't deserve attention nowadays and the ones that do, are too expensive. I hope you understand what I'm saying here...
Yep, that is exactly how I feel. It's like the decks that are actually good are starting to use their quality as an excuse for a price premium, instead of the bad ones going down in price because they aren't worth it. Bad is the new standard.
...if you think the deck isn't worth the price (or you simply can't afford it), don't buy it. Plain and simple.
Oh, don't worry about that. Instead of a brick or two had it been affordable enough, I don't plan on buying any more than three decks of Aurum. Likewise, I probably would've been much more likely to buy Actuators for a lower cost. In fact, it's been months since I've bought any decks at all; exception yesterday when I bought half a brick of Daniel Madison's Players, only because they're limited and waiting later isn't an option. Which is funny, considering those were actually pretty affordable. 
I would hardly call "bad" the new standard. And this deck in particular is a premium item to start with, so when you boil it down to brass tacks, all the versions are premium to varying degrees. Compare the artwork on this deck to the artwork on something like a typical T11 deck with a one-color back and standard, recolored faces.
It's nice to want to handle cards, certainly. But as far as plain, simple usability, there's practically nothing about this deck that makes it any more or less functional than a pack of Bees or Bikes or Tally Hos. It's like comparing a cheap poster to a fine art print on archival paper.
BTW: I got the impression from the wording in the product description and T11's most recent business practices that the Daniel Madison Players will indeed return to market after this sell-out, but in a differently-colored version which is probably less limited. My guess would be reverse-colored backs.
An excerpt from UC.com forum regarding the reason why Aurum is pricy (http://UC.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=57):
"Aurum costs, frankly, a ridiculous amount to make. Tendril was $9.95 which was a reasonable cost based on what it cost to print. Aurum is costing over 30% more than Tendril to actually print. As a small, boutique maker I'm fine with not trying to compete with Theory11 or Blue Crown. They make decks in the tens of thousands, with very little custom work and can pump put decks every month. I spent 6 months carefully handcrafting Aurum and adding evry luxury feature available, plus new ones no one else has tried.
All that is to say that Aurum won't be like the decks you buy elsewhere. It also will never be made again. Don't forget that I also won't charge the ridiculous costs that most of the big guys do to ship the things to you."
First of all, your link won't work. "Uc.com" takes you to the UC Group, a securities and investment company...
And yes, this deck is a really premium model. To argue that it should be in a plainer box and at a lower price is like asking the Lamborghini dealer if he has an economy model with a four-cylinder engine, plain rims, an AM radio and polyester upholstery.
Jhayel, I'm very aware (and even said so in my first post) of the reasons for Aurum's price. What I'm saying is it shouldn't have so much extra luxury on the standard edition that it becomes overpriced for the regular buyer.
I know collectors are a big part of the market, but playing cards stay playing cards, not trading cards.
I for one agree that playing cards should remain playing cards, but you need to recognize that playing card collecting is a LUXURY hobby in the first place! Little boutique design shops, short print runs, higher prices than a pack at the drug store, exclusivity, difficulty to find (without the help of the Internet) - what about that screams "Joe Sixpack!" to you?
Playing cards ARE still playing cards, but these are more than ordinary playing cards, with a higher degree of care and artistry in the design and the manufacturing. Nearly every deck all the custom shops make would fit this description to varying degrees.
I agree on what you said. The standard deck is just pricy. I think that the pricing was for the collectors! lol
On my opinion the price for a standard Aurum deck should be around from $10-$10.95 
Then naturally this isn't a deck for you, right? It costs more than you think it should.
There's nothing about custom decks that is "standard".
this is one of the reasons I dont buy as many cards. The price is not right. I would rather buy a brick of quicksilver decks with an early bird special with the intent of trading. Speaking of aurum, I will be getting the cheaper 2 out of the 3. the 3rd one is a bit to much for my pockets.
"A man's got to know his limitations..." - Clint Eastwood as "Dirty" Harry Callahan.
When enough people swing over to this point of view, then the prices will go down - but also at the expense of some of the quality and artistry. Look at the "Play Right" decks, Walgreens' replacement for Studs. Cheaper manufacture, lower quality and variety - though for them I'm betting it was a simple cost-cutting measure. The problem is that these decks sell for more than Bicycles at the Walgreens stores in my area! When I visited Florida in August, they were 99 cents a pack while up in New York I paid nearly $4.00.
it comes all comes down to personal preference. Personally, I don't really like E's decks, whatsoever. (Ghost deck is an exception). I love using rare and out of print cards, along with premium decks, I prefer them for both practice and performance. It's just an annoyance because I'd love to get new nice playing cards. For example; the red and blue Ace Fultons. I love the design and have heard great things about the ivory finish. But I just can't afford to get the half a brick that I want. I think most companies are charging $7.77+ because they can.... it adds up, and shipping, if anyone has noticed can add a lot as well. Overall you've paid a motza. On top of that sometimes you get decks that aren't worth half a cracker.
See Dirty Harry quote, above...
You'd love to get nice, new, custom-designed playing cards. I'd love a new Honda Prius. Or a Chevy Volt, but then I'd need a house with a garage to plug the car in - so I'd love a house, too. Without the cash, it's not going to happen for either of us, and that's it.
Guys, it's as simple as voting with your money. I stopped buying Dan and Dave decks altogether. Doesn't mean I think they're terrible people, doesn't mean I don't think their library of magic literature has some of the finest books on the market all in one place. Doesn't mean I think they're terrible cardists. But it does mean I thought I wasn't getting what I felt was enough value for my money. The situation could change, and I'd find their decks worth buying again - though based on present trends, that's not happening any time soon.
I'm going to try getting in to their lecture at Tannen's on Thursday.
But back to the point - if you think any product isn't worth what someone wants to charge for it, regardless of how beautiful, cool, functional, practical, impractical, etc. you think it is, then you don't buy it! There is absolutely no shortage of companies out there in Custom Playing Cardland putting out great decks at varying price points, most of which would make anyone happy. If you're that particular that this is the deck for you and you must have it, then you buy it - if you want it that much, you obviously think it's worth it. Of course, if you want it and can't afford it, welcome to the real world, I'm your guide for this trip through Hard Luck City in the fine state of Tough Noogies and capital of You Can't Get Everything You Wantstan.
