First I'd like to point out that these aren't 'copies' they are protected cells, using the 3100mah panasonic as a 'base cell' based on does not mean a copy but that the actual foundation of the cell is the 3100mah cell. Like the $17.75 AW and Redilast 2900 cells are 'based on' the panasonic 2900 cell.
I see what you mean with mah per $, but remember all those mah aren't in one cell, and you're paying for reliability etc. I very much understand the price argument from a budget light perspective though. I mean if I only had a light worth $15 then I would not pay more for a cell for it, unless perhaps I was considering that the cell would last through a good few years of use as my light was upgraded over and over..
Unfortunately, if I sold them for under $10 a cell including shipping then I would actually be making a significant loss on each and every one. Remember I have to buy in bulk, and I also have to pay not for a bare cell but for a cell with a protection circuit made by seiko built in with good QC process and gold plated contact on the rear + extra wrapping and a button top and the sticker. I also have to pay postage myself, the price quoted on the websites you like to read isn't like at manafont and dx where they make their money for the shipping on the item cost. I have to pay significant real world shipping charges on top of that too. EDIT: I also forgot to mention import taxes of 17.5% when it comes into the UK.
Actually, when you factor in my time organising/designing this and shipping them out, after selling these 20 cells I would have been better off taking on extra overtime working in my local supermarket on minimum wage. I am just hoping when they get noticed over on CPF you will get a number of people coming over to this site just to buy these cells, and I will have a steady stream of sales, if that happens it will be worth my while to continue selling. If not, then the opportunity to buy these cells at this low price will be gone.
By the way, Don, I'm glad you got the cells so fast! How do you like them?