Strategically, distributors want to give the product to as many stores as possible to retain as many accounts as possible. In other words, because of so many stores placing orders, The Pokemon Company didn't have enough supply to go around, leading to fewer boxes across the board
That price is more than worth paying in competitive, where Gemstone CavernsGemstone Caverns might not even be the only card you have in your opening hand that requires you to pitch a card to get ahead a mana
PSA 8s are usually $30-80 unless its particularly desirable
For example Blaines Moltres, Erikas Vileplume and my personal favourite Lt
Tribute Pendulum Monsters from your hand or field whose total Levels exactly equal 8, then Ritual Summon 1 "Amorphactor Pain, the Imagination Dracoverlord" from your hand
standard parallel (not gold), trading around 1,000-3,000 Filler Commons, Uncommons, and Rares with minimal individual value The SR and SEC guaranteed slots support a baseline box value