As someone who is in the hobby industry (model train & military diorama stuff) I don't begrudge anyone who has to charge $5/$15 per specialized figure, because I know what it takes to manufacture something like that. That being said, if I guy needs a few hundred figures that just isn't going to happen for most hobbyists, it's just too cost prohibitive.
Fill the grandstands up with cheapies and a little sweat equity. :)