Against all of that is the perception of value for money. People will only pay if they perceive a benefit to them equivalent to, or greater than, the amount of money they're handing over. Which leads to a vicious cycle of people expecting more and more, the con needing to shell out more and more to live up to those expectations, until finally the whole thing goes tits up because it's just too damn expensive, and there's no way break even will be achieved.

The other point: no matter what price you charge, there will always be tightwads that complain that it's too expensive. Five bucks entry to see my favourite author speak?! What a ripoff! I've already given him my money - fifty bucks for his latest book - I should be allowed to see him for nothing - or better yet, he should be paying me for the privilege of speaking to me!

Please excuse me, I think I just blew another sarcasm meter. They just don't make them like they used to.