If you are so inclined, you can build a similar (if not superior) system for under $75.

A laser diode that makes a line, a 3.3V power supply, a stepper motor+driver, a CCD based webcam, and a copy of 'Davids Laser Scanner' [1] (or similar photometry application).

I've been using this setup for about 3 years now (occasionally using a Kinect for larger, less precise scans). The scans people have done of insects are quite amazing. [2,3]

[1] http://www.david-3d.com/

[2] http://www.david-3d.com/gfx/gallery/highlights/01-Real-size_...

[3] http://forum.david-3d.com/download/file.php?id=1951&mode=vie...

This does seem pretty steep, at least at first blush.

A camera, two lasers, and a turntable. Add software - mostly front end work.

That said, you are definitely paying for the MakerBot name - compare the price/capabilities of their MakerBot Replicator to other options.

Especially since anything you could scan with this could be manufactured with CNC; it can't capture anything that requires a 3d printer (internal voids, folds, etc.)