re: A little disappointed with (new) Stamp Album purchase options.
I agree with you both.
However, I stand by my opinion that Mystic is arguably the best album set
out there currently for the money.
And as Michael stated, the used album market is alive and doing very well and I highly recommend a diligent search of used albums if Mystic isn't your cup of tea.
I have a few used miscellaneous albums that I have found to be in fine condition and the prices were extremely reasonable....AND, you often get a handful of stamps inside to boot!