However I know a guy who has a Liberty Presidential Safe that cost him $4k or so. I don't know what you opinion is on that model, but it is certainly not your run of the mill gunsafe, right?
Although it is heavier than the rext of the Liberty line, it's still light, even amongst gun safes. The skin is 7 gauge, and the most plate the safe has is 1/4" in the door. A good chunk of that $4K is to cover the fancy paint job, nice interior, and the Liberty Presidential decal on the door, none of which do anything to protect the contents against theft of fire.
I think I calculated in another thread that the AMSEC BF series offers more steel, and at a much lower price. $4k is also in the ball park of something like a Graffunder that will offer more steel and is a very nice safe. $4K will also buy you a used jewelers safe that cost $10K new, weighs several thousand pounds, and offers true fire and burglary protection.
There are people out there that are fans of particular gun safe manufacturers and have to buy their top of the line safes. I think Fort Knox has safes selling for $10K plus, and they have a customer base that will buy them knowing that they're not getting $10K worth of protection.
My problem is not with the safe, the protection it offers, or the price paid. My problem is with the information a consumer is using when making these decisions. Many people are using safes that will stop a thief for 2 minutes, and offers minimal fire protection. Due to what the manufacturer, salesperson, or internet research says, the owners are thinking they are protected from James Bond and wild fires.
I want people to be aware of the reality, and make an informed decision. If they choose a $500 safe with the proper knowledge, and willfully choose the risk involved, that's fine. If they choose a $500 safe with the wrong knowlege, they are living with a false sense of security which may bite them some day.