A fundamental mechanical problem I have with d20/D&D/PF

[Airk]

From your perspective, these things may be true.

Personally, I have trouble justifying $20 for a single book, and I'm certainly not accustomed to paying full retail. I suppose getting PDFs with the PirateBay discount is an option, but that's not one I prefer.

Uhm, getting PDFs for $10 or less is super easy and perfectly legal, as has been pointed out. If you have problems paying $20 for a book, how the HELL are you playing D&D? :P Since there, your choice are "LOTS of $50 books" or "Ongoing $15 a month subscription".

Or, you know, play a retroclone as Rhynn suggested, but which seems completely outside the scope of your experiences.

Personally, getting players together on a different system is a chore. Homebrewing rules is also a chore, but less so.

Have you tried like, actually explaining the situation? ^_^

Your assertions may be true for you, but they're certainly not true for me.

Actually, as folks have pointed out, many of my assertions are also true for you. This hobby is cheap.