Right, hmm. I'm in PER also and obviously I'm not doing my homework - probably not booking far enough ahead I suspect. One way fare to MEL, my normal destination is usually circa $250 with lots of opportunity for higher fares, Flexi is normally a static $595. If you're getting into J on a bid at around 600$ all up .... what are you paying for your original flight? <$200?? I never seem to get a bid offer for less than $440.
I definitely would, every single time! I think the market speaks for itself here. Whilst some lucky folks are getting great deals, the vast majority seem to be paying $250-280 for a one-way seat (PER-east) + $400-450 for the bid upgrade there seems generally happiness to pay that ... putting a market based buy at say tops around 700 dollars or a tad over within the acceptable range for product/service received ... though these trips will of course normally accrue at least a few SC's and FF's
Personally, I do value SC's, but I wouldn't pay more than about 5$/SC to get some. Given this then, with a willing buyer at lets just say $750 for arguments sake, full J PER-MEL, if offered 80SC (as currently) for $400, total price $1150 for J + 80SC ... I'd almost certainly take that fare.