When was the last time you bought contra reeds? Sounds like a sale price to me.
I think I just Googled.
WWBW has them for $42. You're probably right that there was a sale.
... as a novice clarinetist, what type of mouthpiece would favor a synthetic reed?
My feeling is that, if you are a novice, you shouldn't be using either a reed finishing device or a synthetic reed. This is because you or your instructor might find that you're going to want to play a harder or softer reed relatively quickly and it's difficult to modify a synthetic. Cane? Too hard and shave it down. Too soft and just buy another reed of a different strength. Also note that a La Voz hard (for instance) isn't necessarily the same strength as a Vandoren 4. It's one of the maxims I've written about:
beginners aren't allowed to have GAS.
Regarding the buzzy, my experiments were generally with saxophone mouthpieces. On clarinet, when I used the Rico Plasticovers with my Selmer C85 and Vandoren (IIRC) B40 -- both hard rubber -- I couldn't really tell a significant change in tone, nor could folks listening to me.
I played with the Plasticovers and a couple other synthetics on my baritone saxophone mouthpieces, they were quite buzzy on my Berg Larsen 110/0 hard rubber 'piece (it's considered a "jazz" 'piece), and I'd assume them to be even more buzzy on a metal or crystal 'piece. I felt the same with the full synthetic on my Sigurd Rascher (really large chamber, hard rubber). However, the Plasticovers were more or less OK. Somewhat buzzy, but because the main purpose I was using the synthetics for was to be able to play multiple instrumenst without having to soak reeds, I felt it was OK enough. The one thing I can say is that I didn't like the taste of any of the synthetics.
You could also make an argument that the ligature also can or does make a difference. I can say that playing with ligatures occasionally made me want to select softer or harder reeds.
There are an awful lot of variables. That's why you can have a bunch of folks disagree on what the best setup for a new student is. If you want an ultimate setup
from me, for beginning Bb clarinet players:
* Start with a wooden Yamaha clarinet. YCL-34 or better. Get a warrantied one or one that's fully overhauled. If it's used, have your teacher play it to make sure there are no problems.
* The stock Yamaha 'piece and ligature are OK, but I'd recommend a Selmer C85 or Vandoren B45 hard rubber. The C85/B45 can easily take you far beyond college.
* The ligature that comes with the Yamaha, Selmer or Vandoren 'piece is fine, but I really like the Gigliotti, Rovner and Rovner-clone (like BG) ligatures. (Or see if SOTSDO will fabricate one for you. He's got a patent.)
* Get some 2.5 reeds, not more than 5. I liked the Vandoren V12s when they came out, but Mitchell Lurie, LaVoz and Rico Royal are pretty decent. Plain ol' Rico ones can even be OK for the first months.
I can adjust a lot of the above for budget considerations, too.
There are companies out there that say that even the plating on the keywork affects the clarinet's tone and we've not even talked about pads, barrels or bells. I also strongly believe that worrying about the fine points of gear is for someone who's semi-professional. Otherwise, just listen to your teacher.