I just finished my first iPhone application and want to deploy it for sale. Why the hell do I have to pay Apple either 99.00 or 299.00? They're already going to take 30 percent of what I charge and sell.
This is essentially you paying them for marketing your app - do you have a store capable of reaching MILLIONS of users? Do you have one of the most commonly visited websites on the planet? No? Ok - realize that Apple needs to turn a profit. You'll make your money back in no time if the app is something innovative (if it's another fart generator, please, from the bottom of my heart DO NOT submit it.). Who knows - if your app is particularly cool, you could get into an Apple commercial and have an instant goldmine! Good luck.