I'm surprised at how many people are surprised that the cost of a product has an influence on the value of the cards in the product. I guess I was wrongly assuming that everyone already understood that.

Why not put something like Scalding Tarn in something like a Commander deck? For one thing the first printing would get bought out by, with many copies going to non-players and the decks wouldn't get to the people who would use them. Prices would probably increase as well.

On the other hand, it's a really inefficient way for Wizards to handle their more valuable resources. I think one of the bigger mistakes people make is assuming Wizards wants cards to be cheaper. High value cards benefit Wizards.

If they are so high that people complain endlessly (see: fetchlands) it becomes a negative (which is why I really believe fetchlands will get a real reprinting before long), but having valuable cards to reprint is especially important to WOTC now with 20+ products to fill a year.

From a player's perspective lots of high value cards is a valid frustration. From Wizards perspective lots of high value cards is a necessity. That's why this topic keeps coming up over and over.

In the end, whatever makes the corporation the most money wins though. It's the American way. The corporation always wins.