Depends why do you say expensive. Well actually if you're already understand how really this market works, 1k isn't a big amount of TC, well in-game you can collect it from the 500/750 tc tourney, yeah first time I play toribash same with you, I used to say items are expensive, but now it isn't that expensive after all.
Tips : if you're in game, just stand by in the tourney room and if there any broadcast about GM tourney or a clan tourney just join them