If you thought that was bad look at what hoops Hermès puts you through. In fact a lot of luxury retailers are like this. I think the buyers actually like the song and dance to a degree. Merely buying it isn't nearly so satisfying as being granted access. It becomes an even bigger status symbol.
I think it's precisely this that makes the products desirable in public. In a social class where everyone can afford everything, the real status signal become the things that require more access, not more money.
