Hey there,
I went into a new golf store in my neck of the woods today, looking at TaylorMade Adams, and Tour Edge Bazooka irons. ($800, $500 & $300 respectively). I asked the guy what he'd recommend for a new set of clubs for a beginner, but that grow with me as I got better. He directed me towards a $150 Tommy Armour set. Strangely this set wasn't on the show room floor (but they just opened, so I can cut them some slack).
So, what was he thinking?

I've got a couple of theories:
1) He doesn't work on commission, so he simply steered me towards the set he honestly thinks will benefit me the most.
2) He's hoping I'll buy these, and then buy another set of irons in a year or two.
3) Profit margins on irons are next to nothing so he's hoping I'll spend my extra money on higher profit drivers or putters.
4) I've become too jaded and shouldn't put too much thought into this.
I'm guessing on number three. I will say this though: right now, iron sets are going for US prices up here(instead of 10 - 20% more as is normally standard). Maybe they're trying to get rid of last year's models, I don't know. Drivers and putters, on the other hand, are going for about 20% more than US prices.
Thoughts are much appreciated.
Cheers,
-TMC