Give me the 18 inch wide pallet plastic wrap her up a few turns

and she ain't going anywhere, just not to tight she won't breath

Now you're talking my business, as a wholesaler of law enforement supplies we also supply a number of the "adult businesses" with handcuffs, leg irons, etc.
I can guarantee that any true "police grade" handcuffs should cost about $30.00 or more depending on the brand. I'm talking about the "Brand name" cuffs from Smith & Wesson, Peerless, Hiatt, ASP, etc. Even imported cuff that are NIJ (National Institute of Justice) certified are going to cost close to that.
That said, a web search for "Handcuffs" turned up some great prices.
Have you seen Smith & Wesson now has their M-100 handcuffs available in red, pink, blue, yellow, green, and desert tan as well as the common nickel and black finishes?

it's all about how much they can get people to buy it for, at a "law enforcement" site or store, they are looking at selling an item to professional who is not looking at it as a "must have"(frivolous luxury)item so much as a must have item(an essential tool, a minor one compared to the rest of the crap they gotta get). me personally, I'm a simple cheap bastard, give me zip ties, duct tape and some rope and I'm happy..

yup, a crop that goes for$40 usd at a lifestyle store, will cost $10 usd at the saddlery or feed store. the reason, when asked is volume, the lifestyle store doesnt sell that many, so they charge more. the feed store sells them all the time:)

Has anyone else noticed a rather odd discrepancy in the price of handcuffs on the internet?

What I'm refering to is that to on most bdsm toy sites police grade handcuffs cost about $30USD but to buy the same handcuffs from say a martial arts supply site or a site selling self defence gear they cost maybe $20USD or if you catch a sale $10-15USD. 

I find this discrepancy odd because there can't be that many manufacturers of police grade handcuffs in North America, so why then would the price vary so much with the change in intended use?

To answer your second question.  The only explanation is the same reason a chain costs more.  You are dealing with a middle man and he has to get his cut too. As the song says... "You better shop around".

Number One reason: Greed

And good quality, first rate police type cuffs will cost a bit more, through law enforcement supply sources, but then, you are also looking at top-of-the-line equipment.

Those sold through martial arts and defensive gear outlets are acceptable, no better nor worse than those available through adult toy stores, but the adult stores figure that, for the most part, potential patrons won't be lookng at those other sources

Goth,

The reason for the price difference is that POLICE OFFICERS are given uniform & equipment allowances annually. The suppliers of police depts. know this of course and raise thier prices accordingly. A Smith & Wesson cuff is the same no matter where you buy it