>>51438681official plushes will always be cheaper than plushies, because one is mass produced, they have entire assembly lines for this, etc, while the other is focused specialized labor performed by 1 person usually.
When you're paying $1800 for a plushie made by someone, you're paying the individual labor and artistry of the specific artist, as well as nice materials they get (unlike cheaper materials companies use to maximize profit).
One is something something that can be redone countless times, and the other is an unique, focused item.
Plus, on top of the labor, you're paying the artist beyond just money for survival. it is a luxury item, so the plush maker gets the according fee.
This is the same reason buying a rug at a store will cost you 100 bucks, but something unique and made as a commission will go beyond 1k
