I work for a smallish company, as a developer. We get to choose our own tools. I think the reasoning is valid -- who would know better than the developers what

I work for a smallish company, as a developer. We get to choose our own tools. I think the reasoning is valid -- who would know better than the developers what actually will make them more productive? In practice, I don't need to approve any purchase with management. I have a company credit card, and if I feel I need license for Sublime Text I'll just buy it. But you are right -- as a private person I'm quite a bit more price sensitive about my tools than as a professional who is expected to deliver.