A client recently sent me on a long chase after a font, just a font, not a family. I found it at an Italian type foundry; it had been created by a very talented expat designer. Font price: $1000. Speed at which I received a "nvm do not purchase" email from client: Near-instantaneous. Client's assistant, however, _totally_ took note and I can tell she is browsing small foundry sites more lately. Pricing is positioning.

Edit: Just remembered, client's assistant originally initiated the search for the expensive font by asking if we could use the same font as a high-end NYC-based clothing retailer. So, they were the ones who paid for it, and in multiple styles, too.