$3 seems to be the standard price (or worse) nowadays; even for on-line plants...that is an OUTRAGE for standard GMO hybrid junk. I DID pay $3 for some HEIRLOOM hot pepper plants I couldn’t find seed for a couple of years ago...just saved a bunch of seed; planted them the next year; sold a few. Money back, plenty of plants. Win-win.
I’ve tried to start my own heirloom eggplant a couple of times this Spring, but with no success. Could be the seed age and viability, but I tend to think it’s just something I’m not doing right. I’ve never tried to raise eggplant from seed before, but I do for basically everything else with little problem.