As a condensed matter researcher, agreed. I don't believe that somebody with that level of laboratory equipment (4 probe system, furnace, pellet press etc) can'

As a condensed matter researcher, agreed. I don't believe that somebody with that level of laboratory equipment (4 probe system, furnace, pellet press etc) can't afford a $150 journal submission fee. Don't get me wrong - I love DIY science and I don't think a physics journal is the only path to being accepted, but it IS the fastest way to overcome skepticism.