I agree they have been going up in price but some I've seen recently that border on the ridiculous. One went at a local auction last week for $250.00 with a mismatched bolt, mixed numbers, a scrubbed receiver and drilled and tapped on both receiver rings (with no scope mount). However, I really like the K98. I got mine, an RC bcd 4 from IO about 4 years ago for $190.00 including shipping and I consider myself lucky. It has turned out to be my best milsurp shooter. I can get better groups from this K98 than any of my 8 Springfields, 3 M1s or various enfields, Mosins etc. I have added a period correct K98 bayonet (local auction $16.00), a repro sling and have removed the Russian red shellac since purchase.