Sasquatches like rarified air, but we like eating too, and selling 300 dollar pipes to smokers rather than trying to sell 800 dollar pipes to collectors is part of my business model. There are other successful business models in the pipe world.
I guess it depends on your goal. If you want to make money, explore. Go where the money is. If the goal is to eventually support yourself and family, or augment retirement, explore every avenue. ROI! That's the key.
You still hold the distinction of making the only pipe I would have purchased on the net. What a beauty it was.
I've seen some guys selling through consignment sellers on eBay. They get way more eyes worldwide than most web shop, selling collectives or social media ever would. IMO it's gotta be better than wholesale (other than getting featured by Smokingpipes) 8O