Just to get this out of the way and make it clear, I have no issues with customs as long as they are represented properly.
I definitely understand that people are unwilling to pay the asking price for these items. And, I don't blame them. But, to me, I just say, let it go. If there's something that I like but am unwilling to pay for, I just resign myself to the fact that I'll never own it. ...Either that, or try to figure a way to come up with the money to acquire it in the least painful way possible.
But, to me, it seems antithetical for somebody who holds the culture so dear to don a replica - and pay substantial coin to do so! That's like looking for love in a brothel.
It's also another thing if customs/replicas are made above board and treated as such. Like, when all those grey p-wing tees were screen printed years back - that's fine if you want to produce some custom wings that you can wear to the gym or something. But, once somebody puts one on ebay for like $250, it undermines the integrity of the whole production run, IMO.