I just think its insane to think that someone with no knowledge of comics would drop 1K on a book and not do research.
Hated comics, got into the show, and when I went to eBay to buy a WD #1, they were all in slabs. I had no idea what CGC is. A ton on eBay are in slabs. I'm just going from personal experience, but if that's the typical buying experience for a non-comic fan entering the market, I don't think it's out of the question. I don't think you're suspending disbelief enough because maybe you've been in the game too long?