On topic. Sure. You don't have to buy it. Democratic environment, capitalism rules. No problem selling to a friend who knows exactly what it is. Selling to someone who has a consumer mindset ("I'm entitled to this or that" "ang mahal naman!!" "bakit ang mura??!") is a whole other thing.
What I'm against is deception and secrecy. Especially when asked about the circuit, which circuit blocks are changed and why, etc. When someone avoids these questions, I'm highly suspicious. You're not even asking for gutshots. Just small talk about how the circuit came about, and came off his bench.
That goes for both the bottom-scraper DIY builders who piss high with the holier than thou attitude, and the well-versed catch-phrase toting boutique builders who are on premier mag and TGP reviews all the time.
I admit I'm a bit of a boutique pedals reverse snob, mainly because of the ridiculous prices that have all the same reasons to justify them. It's a friggin' pedal, it shouldn't cost more than a decent amp. But I acknowledge there's ingenuity in the right places. Wampler has my respect, along with James Brown of Amptweaker. Along with the newer modulation and time effects builders, digital or not, I tend to appreciate the technology they are developing.
