I paid $825 for mine. Not anywhere close to $1500.
I have paid $750 for a couple LWS 380s, ( so I got two for $1500!)MSRP is $795.00
The problem is the 12 to 14 month wait, so the inpatient buyer will pay more to get one.
On occasion a Seecamp 380 will get posted on the Seecamp forum for anywhere between $800 and $950.
If you're going to look at the R9, you should look at the R380 too.