I wouldn't pay $9.75 for sawblades (sorry sawblade guys, I hate those damned things) let alone $975
He probably added up what he paid for them, his time working on them, cost of paint, etc and added a tidy little profit.
You see this a lot when people have modded cars for sale. They add up the cost of the mods + the time they put into it + the cost of the car and try to sell the car for that.
MKIII = $8000
Built Motor = $3000
Turbo Kit = $3500
Rims = $1200
Tires = $800
Suspension = $2000
Time invested = $7500
Wow, my MKIII is worth $26K!!! Why won't anyone buy it?!?! I'm giving you a steal at $23K! lol...
They guy is on drugs - even powdercoated (paint? what are you kidding?) they wouldn't be worth that.