[...] why would ASIC vendors sell a machine for $1500 that make 6-8k a month? I think this answers the question pretty clearly, They wouldn't!
Seems you've forgotten about Batches #1 and #2...
I distinctly remember BTC being worth around $6 a piece for batch 1 and a volatile $25 for batch 2.
Pretty much. And now half of Batch #1 is mining at $65 pulling in $10k a month so far. Hence the original confusion...
and the other half still doesn't have their units, all of batch two doesn't and they are trying to push batch 3 at a huge markup in value and another unclear delivery date with a break thrown in.
and before the whole btc=btc and batch 1 cost 100+ btc each remember the terms of the sale were you were agreeing you sold your coins for mtgox value the day of the sale. so the units were really the USD value, not $5500+ the btc would be worth today.