A lot of the rub with sublimation blanks, is that they are not always competitive when compared with other print methods. As DTG develops and more secondhand machines hit the market, they will become a viable alternative to subli tees. Waterslide transfers give a cheap way to decorate a lot of ceramic and hard surface items.
I'm sure if a certain ink manufacturer was to have more reasonable prices and those that produce sublimation blanks realise we have to sell a usable (and cost effective) product, the whole sublimation industry could possibly have a much brighter future.