I don't think the prices were the problem. Afterall most people (me included) claimed prices were not important and that even without prices they were going to join in. Besides, getting prices is not an easy task. Many of the manufacturers don't want to join or want something in return.

IMO the length of the contest wasn't all that bad either. It's like savage says, too short aint good, but too long isn't good either.
The only thing I'd like to see changed (if we're ever going to do this again) it would be to not keeping it a surprise.