Outside of skateboarding there is a whole other world. A world where hoodies by other brands - brands that are not high fashion, but are not Wallmart, or American Apparel, or Element, Zero and DGK for that matter - cost a lot more than $140. T-Shirts sometimes cost close to that amount. Without the exchange rate.
I'm pretty sure Palace are selling their products for the relative markup based on the cost of producing them.
Like almost every other company in the world.
Small runs equal big money. And exchange rates suck. 80 quid for a sweatshirt is a lot for a kid, but a full grown adult may well be able to afford it depending on their income. Regardless: it's up to customer, and don't be upset if they're not marketing their wares to your demographic.
HAVING SAID THAT: If they had a US distribution deal the boards wouldn't cost more. Or shouldn't at least. They're being pressed by US based manufacturers (via China or Mexico or whatever) so they could just ship boxes directly to whatever distribution house here. It's not like the boards are being made by hand in Lev's front room.
All things considered: Todd, Lucien, Chewy, Charlie, Rory (not to mention Karim and Sean Powers... so I hear)? That's a good enough reason to support them as any. Whether you like gangsta rap, fucked teeth, triangles, VHS camera's, and weed deals or not.