The first spinning reel I bought with my own hard earned was $180, that was in 1996 and was a Pinnacle (built by Silsar) It had 7 bearings and was amazing for me at the time. I retired that reel in mid 2006, replacing it with another Pinnacle. I replaced the Pinnacle this Christmas with a Sol. I won't be buying another Pinnacle... It's a pity as that first reel I flogged the piss out of - I guess that is the difference between Freshwater gear and Saltwater gear...
Rods I build myself so hard to put a 'price' on them as far as gear goes, but as a custom generally costs $300+ then that's what I'll call em for
Add a bit of braid and that is a $600 outfit but cripes they are nice to use!!!
Moral of the story, that old adage Penny-wise, Pound-poor.