Have a quick look at his eBay shop, you'll find quickly enough that grade 1 for £175 is a bargain! 😀
What does that have to do with your statement that "you will be lucky now to get something under £100, these days, even from him"?
I don't disagree that a grade 1 bat for £175 would be a very good deal, assuming that it is well constructed, picks up and performs well and there is a level of customer service assurance from the retailer. Not sure that others experience of MSR bats suggests that they are
consistently well constructed.