Figure skates are even worse...some of the kids that are more advanced are into separate boots and blades...as you get more skilled, you have to buy them separate. Some of the older girls, their parents spend close to $700-900 bucks on their skates! Mine were like $550 (new boots and separate blades) and I'm getting all the mileage out of them that I can!
Of course when it's time for new boots, I can use the same blades, so that will help.