I don't think it's how much you paid per say, rather how much you were willing to pay. Actually signing up for the Mark 1 and waiting in queue meant that you understood the concept, the price, and the quality. On the other side of that are the people who bashed it from day one for price, and other things. Those people generally bashed it on Slashdot and other places, unaware of this BBS because they didn't take the time to look.

The firesale introduced some of that community here for two reasons. Some thought that $200 was worth it, but at the edge. And others found the BBS mainly due to the massive increase in size since mid 1999.

And there are also always exceptions to the rule.