I don't think for this discussion you can consider collector driven bamboo rod prices like the 5 figure example offered by Flytying guy 1. I know vitually nothing about fly rod making. However, bamboo rod tapers are often planed by hand and in some cases a planing machine produces the tapers. Many rodmakers explain that each rod requires at least 40 hrs of labor start to finish. I am not aware of any aspect of bamboo rod making that really lends itself to automated mass production. I am very interested in getting into bamboo, and the prices to do so are daunting. Yet, new bamboo rods by domestic craftsman can start around the 5-600 range and go up to a couple of thousand or more. On e bay and other places one can find post WWII era American factory bamboo rods, in fishable condition, for about TFO prices. (Granger, Wright and McGill, South Bend, Horrocks and Ibotson, to name a few). The same rods rebuilt or refinisned to accomodate modern lines can be found selling for 350-550 on the auction site. For exquisite handcrafted by a modern craftsman, ya need money bags...
One reason for high prices on modern top of the line graphite rods in fly shops are retail price agreements rod companies enforce on shops. Remember, the fly fisherman these days has a wide choice of good rods at much lower price points. Look through any large catalog- there are even mid range rods offered by high end makers in addition to imported, affordable rods of which TFO is only one maker.
finally, consider the mark ups on most fly shop tying inventory, flies, lines etc are not going to keep them in business long. Most shops I visit stock thee rod lines, usually Sage, Winston, TFO. Some high end/high margin merchandise like simms, patagonia etc. has to carry the shop...
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