The 10/22 is not a gun for all you guys that just want an out of the box, cheap, accurate shooter. That's what the Remmy's and Mossy's are for. These guns are for the guys who want to spend hours searching forums, online parts stores and every place in between trying to find the aftermarket parts to turn this rifle into exactly what they want in a rifle, be it tacticooled, tackdriver, compact, replica.....anything! The aftermarket is what makes the 10/22. If you don't want to "build" a gun that suits you and your personality, then the 10/22 is not for you! 
As for the EE prices? Someones got to be paying them or they would start coming down. $230 for a new one might make me take a trip to bass pro, maybe I'll buy a few and part them out.
As for the EE prices? Someones got to be paying them or they would start coming down. $230 for a new one might make me take a trip to bass pro, maybe I'll buy a few and part them out.