I think you're right that most people evaluate app prices this way but the problem is that the net result of scrutinizing such inexpensive purchases so carefull

I think you're right that most people evaluate app prices this way but the problem is that the net result of scrutinizing such inexpensive purchases so carefully is that all prices are pushed to rock bottom. The biggest issue with the app store is that apps are undifferentiated. They're all lumped into a big uniform grid and psychologically this communicates that they're all units of some kind of uniform commodity, when nothing could be further from the truth on the production side. At least in the old shrink wrap world you had a lot more ability to physically differentiate your product. It also doesn't help that any random moron can post an inaccurate or unfair one star review of your app and that's the very first thing any prospective buyer sees.