I can totally understand your point of view, and to a point I agree that you're paying for performance. (Well, you're actually paying for looks, but that's a different topic!)
On the one hand is it right that you pay XXX for a new bat, and the first thing you have to do is repeatedly hit it with a mallet. Following that you can't use it straight away, but you have to play it in before it's match ready. This is where your idea comes into it's own.
On the flip side, if you buy a brand new car/bike/boat you have to go gentle on the engine to "run it in" before you can start using it to it's full potential. Is that really any different to the knocking then playing in of a bat?
In both cases going second hand is a good option as you avoid the initial stage and the price is lower.
It's something you'll come across in several branches of life, not just cricket. A brand new pair of shoes will take some wearing in. I'd rather do that myself than buy a second hand pair! That example is not exactly the same as a bat, admittedly, but there are valid arguments for both sides (as with most things)