You can buy the bumper plates used, which is much cheaper and works just as well if you don't mind the look. If you don't have a platform and don't want to build one I would consider rubber composite plates instead. These can be bought used too.
I did a little research on the pricing of these barbells, will add the list in due time. For me it makes perfect sense, these are high quality pieces of equipment which last, in other words if somebody bought one he will be set for a long time. Unless he drops the barbell with iron cast plates there is little wear on the bar. Even rust is no problem except for the look. So the manufactures will never be in a position were they could mass sell these bars. In case of the IWF approved bars, which are the most expensive, those manufactures have to pay a fee for this approval which is expensive and of course they won't give these approved bars away without getting parts of that fee back.
And one last remark, I believe it is better to lift with a shit bar than not to lift at all. And sure as hell you can and will make progress with a lousy bar as well. But having lifted with a shit bar, a decent bar (ivanko) and excellent bars (eleiko, schnell) I am certain that a good quality bar is an important component of the training.
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