(opps, topic should have read "If Linux is free, how and why are companies charging "us" so much to buy them?)

This has a been a bit puzzling to me. It may even be a stupid question, but I just have to ask.
I see it's possible to download and install a true linux distro FREE.
I can't argue with free. I won't even argue with paying if that's the only option.
However, if it's freeware, how and why are companies charging so much?
I see in certain sites, download for $100 or more dollars, buy now for roughly the same price.
I understand companies want money, but how are they able to charge free software/programs?
That's like burning a CD onto some CD-R and asking for money.
It doesn't make sense.

Read the GPL.

The GPL does not prevent people from selling free software. Some distros like Mandriva and Linspire have proprietary software bundled in it and that's how they justify the price tag and claim ownership of it. Some stores sell free distros like Debian, but these stores usually contribute back to the project, so it's viewed as a positive thing.

For Example, freebsdmall.com sells FreeBSD 6 for $40. That's is a large sum of money for a free OS, but all of that money is donated to the FreeBSD project.

Personally, I see no reason at all to buy a commercial distro. The best ones are all free.

There are lots of things in life that are free (moneywise), but we still pay for them for convenience. Water, firewood, certain fertilizer and mulch products, and many more.

With Open-Source software, the emphasis is on freedom as in freedom of travel, speech, etc.

People selling Linux distros might be selling convenience, service, value-added (eg when they add some proprietary stuff)---or in some cases they could be simply taking advantage of poeple who don't know that they can get it free.

Personally, I like th Ubuntu business model: SW unambiguously free (they will even ship CDs free), Pay for support if you choose to.

thank you for the feedback. Making more sense now.