In the past 5 years I've bought about 5 kits. As mentioned, if you catch a sale and have MOC discount, a rosewood kit is about $300.
Now I usually just buy hand picked pieces. The kits are filled with the materials rejected by the factory. The cause of rejection is not always evident. The sides/backs may have mineral deposits in pores which can be removed in 10 minutes. The necks may a have pin knot. So they have every conceivable part used on all models. The website only lists a fraction of what the Guitar Makers Connection has in stock.
Recent build with rejected materials:
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