I'm not sure how many people out there spend $1000 + on their pet dog they have no intentions on breeding. ( Yes I know some people do but they are few and far between) I purchased my American Staffordshire Terrier for $500 and I would do it again in a heart beat. However I spent that much for bred temperament and the way she was raised as a puppy. The fact that I could register her with the AKC and have paper work that made her not a Pit Bull to the insurance company. As far as I know most people do not buy a snake based on temperment.
Honestly I would never pay $1000 for a pet snake. I have spent $300 on a pet snake before with no intentions on breeding him however it was something I have always, always wanted, and I doubt to many people are saying that about the dessert.
Just like anything else dessert snakes are only worth what people are willing to pay for them. I would never spend 2-$5,000 for a GTP and you would. We hold things at different values.