'Mom, you're arguing for things as they currently are.
We're arguing for things as we believe they should be.
We're not asking for handouts. We're asking for opportunities.
We're asking for the right to put monies in the hands of TPCi.
We're asking for the right to NOT put monies in the hands of third-party resellers.
If you want to reduce the price of the items on the secondary market, you produce more items for sale.
When Demand is the same (roughly), but Supply is limited, the price goes up.
When Demand is increased and Supply is limited, the price goes WAAAAAY up (as those $70 Ebay filings show).
We want the ability to purchase these items directly from TPCi.
We do NOT want to purchase them from resellers.
The creation and sale of these Worlds exclusive items is essentially printing money for TPCi. Even at the prices they posted this year.
Why they would NOT want to tap into this market is a mystery completely beyond me.
With all of the players at Worlds, even with the insane cost that the event likely incurs, TPCi can greatly reduce or even eliminate that cost. Simply by offering more of the same!
Let's assume that there were about 400 playmats available for sale (as per your assumption of 1,000 minimum order and 600 players, the latter of which is an overestimation). Let's further assume a 100% markup over their cost (though $6 per playmat is frankly insane wholesale given some of the prices I've found online for blanks resale). Those 400 playmats turn $2400 profit.
There were over 1400 players at Worlds this year. And many of those would be more than willing to purchase additional items to bring back for players that could NOT make it. A quantity of 2,000 playmats would likely sell through quite easily, especially at the $12 price point.
It's disappointing that there were not enough of the key Worlds exclusive items available this year. It's disappointing from a buyer's standpoint, as many, many people didn't get to purchase the items they wanted. It's disappointing from a business standpoint, as that's cold, hard cash that you're leaving on the table. And it's disappointing from a marketing standpoint, as now the market is devoid of items that people want, which drives up the price, which leaves a sour taste in the minds of consumers.
Please, please, PLEASE, TPCi, increase the supply of the key Worlds exclusive items for next year! We want to buy the stuff! You want to make money off the stuff! How can this NOT be a win-win for everybody involved?