Honestly, $200 really isn't that big of a stretch. Quality dive gear isn't cheap. My diveshop has a package that gives you a $70 mask, $85 fins, $50 boots, $20 snorkel and a log book/binder for $200, so all in all you end up saving 70 or 80 bucks. The boots and log binder are essentially free.
However, Mask/Snorkel/Fins are the big money makers for a shop, not courses, instruction or big ticket items like regs etc.
As far as books, $70 is fair for text/elearning code + PADI fees. While you could get them anywhere else you will still end up paying the same somewhere else.
Is $60 alone, plus there will be a fee when PADI processes the cert as well.
In the end, diving is a VERY expensive hobby, and while I agree, don't waste your money. You will still be paying out large sums of money to dive in one way or another.