ORIGINAL: jester_s1
They aren't getting rich on $2 nuts, even if they did only pay 2 cents for them. Truth be told, they price them that way because they don't want to deal with them, but we annoying hobbyists keep on insisting on buying brand labeled stuff!
I think you're right. A grade 8 nut at a hardware store is very similar (if not identical) to the factory nut but many would never consider buying it.
There is a 'bargain' nut available for $1.19:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXFY78&P=0 assuming someone would be willing to use a Super Tigre part on an OS.