Why are mud flaps so expensive?, bought rear pair for a 89 caravelle---90 bucks and theres no rubber in them, plasticy, brittle pieces of rubbish.

Original vw item ?

From Bus Stop----- white vw emblem painted on.

From that description, and the price, it sounds like they are cheaper South African-spec mudflaps. These cost around $80 for a pair in the US, so that roughly matches what you paid:

http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=J10884 

However, Genuine German VW mudflaps are $79.95 EACH. They have the logo moulded in.

http://www.busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=251821812A