i think he means cheaper than ah (shadow key is way too over priced) so the rarity of the keys do not affect their price. i'd like that, i don't want to use 20 silver keys opening iron lockbox and find 1 shadow key and 19 crappy accessories.
that's just taking away all the fun of shadow lairs, the only thing that players want from shadow lairs is the awesome looking new 5* gear, cuz it's way too much expensive to go there if you're not planning to get those armors, most of the players i know just went there, got the snarby set and never went to another shadow lair.

i want to go on a shadow lair to have some fun, avoiding the part of: OMG im opening lockbox again, i hope this time i get shadow key *opens lockbox* crap, another maid headband, there goes my ce again T.T.
there MUST be a way to get a shadow key without opening a friggin lockbox! 1k ce is a fair price for shadow keys.

the actual shadow key system is made for you to spend insane amounts of ce just to get a shadow key, there's no fun in it. (unless you spend 50 dollars per week)

but sadly, i think that's what OOO was after when they released the shadow lair update.