Snapnames entered traffic-testing business using their own registrars for about 2 years ago... (obviously for domains which were not backordered with them). About 4 months ago they also started so-called public auctions for these domains. It seems they finally decided that it makes little or no sense for them to sell those domains, that is why they changed entering price from $9 to $60. Indeed, their customers most likely purchased everything more-or-less reasonable for $9. I myself purchased some domains at public auctions and this small investment is already returned through parking income.
Most likely it is impossible to run traffic-tasting and auction-sales business for the same set of domains at the same time, and snapnames selected traffic-testing.
At this time, I wouldn't enter any public auction for $60 simply because those domains are not worth $60 for me (I would better place $60 backorders for the domains that I see $60+ value in, before the drop, and would participate in private auctions instead).
However, I see that there some members ARE indeed buying at those $60 public auctions now - therefore, they send a sign to snapnames that their pricing strategy is OK.