Most Expensive Items on Amazon - 2012

The now-proverbial 99% say that the US economy is lopsided. How lopsided? Some people can afford luxury doghouses equipped with CCTV, climate control and retina-scan entry systems. Meanwhile, about 45 million Americans (15 percent) officially live in poverty. Even more struggle for food.

So, how are the uber-rich spending their cash? They aren't necessarily creating jobs with their tax breaks. Here are five ridiculously expensive items on Amazon seen at the beginning of 2012.

What's so special about this toilet? It's made of solid ash hardwood. It's packaged with a matching ashtray and candleholder. Also, it sings in French. The toilet rings out with "Le Bon Roi Dagobert" ("Good King Dagobert") when the lid is lifted and it chimes a few bells during the flush.

Is French to be expected for a luxury toilet? I would like a language selection feature. Also,for $10,000 it seems that somebody ought to follow up by powdering your bottom.

When you're a VIRP (Very Important Rich Person) it's important that you don't get lost while sailing your yacht. Also, you must be able to find fish on demand. The Furuno NavNet 1824C/NT combines radar, GPS/WAAS, a fish finder and weather maps. It boasts a color screen that's easy to read even in bright sunlight.This unit can also print charts for maritime use.

Interestingly, the Amazon price is higher than the list price. Hm.

I understand the value of high threadcount sheets: They're exceptionally soft. I did not spend $500 on mine and yet I sleep beautifully. Curious.

Empress Home is devoted to pushing luxury linens. The $500 Empress Home sheet set shown here has a list price of about $750, so you get a "deal" when shopping through Amazon.

What's included? One flat sheet, one fitted sheet and two pillowcases.

For this price I would also like a year of nightly massages, comforting bedtime stories and a harpist playing lullabies.

Maybe you've heard about the $1,000 ice-cream sundaes sold at Serendipity in New York. Why so pricey? They're sprinkled with edible gold.

Now the ultra-rich (or their cooks) can prepare such sparkling treats at home. Genuine 23 karat gold flakes are sold in cute gram-sized jars.

The price for this edible gold is $140 per gram. The price for non-edible gold is currently about $50/gram.

Some Americans buy sunglasses for $8.99 at the gas station. Others plunk down $1400 for a pair of Cartier shades.

Why so expensive? Because people will pay. Don't let the shade falls into your $10,000 toilet.

More Expensive Amazon Products?

Got more ridiculously overpriced luxury items? Share them below!