This is possibly the heart of the point of contention that some may have, and I’m not sure it is really as clear as, “incredibly clear,” makes it sound.
Is this really the case?
Let’s look at some actual numbers. Here are some records from one of the popular 20man GDKP groups that I often join:
Zul’Gurub GDKP
30g - Might of the Tribe
30g - Zulian Headdress
50g - Primal Hakkari Sash
70g - Zanzil's Seal
50g - Bloodstained Hauberk
30g - Cloak of the Hakkari Worshipers
90g - Seal of the Gurubashi Berserker
50g - Primal Hakkari Armsplint
100g - Bloodtinged Gloves
150g - The Hexxer's Cover
600g - Idol
550g - Idol
90g - Soul Corrupter's Necklace
200g - Heart
200g - Bundle
Payout: 128g/each
AQ20 GDKP
30g - Qiraji Martial Drape
30g - Qiraji Martial Drape
30g - Guide: Multi-Shot V
40g - Grimoire of Corruption VII
30g - Cloak of the Savior
40g - Fetish of Chitinous Spikes
50g - Backstab book
210g - Tomb of Fireball XI
50g - Qiraji Ornate Hilt
350g - Ossirian's Binding
900g - Bracers of Brutality
100g - Head
120g - Bundle
Payout: 99g
Some of the higher tier items in larger raids obviously go for more. As an example, I attended a BWL raid the other day, and a Maladath went for 3.6k, which was more than I was able to bid on my warrior. However, the payout was around 350g, and I made the cut.
It was my first BWL on that warrior though, and the cost of one of the best offhands being roughly equivalent to 10 raids worth of DKP in Phase 6 seems pretty appropriate to me.
Of course others may have different experiences, but in my experience most of the GDKPs that I personally would choose to join post loot history, with pricing, have min. requirements for payouts, and seem to be attended regularly by many of the same people.