It starts as $5. In a couple years, it's 10. Couple years after that, it's 15. Then 20. Then 25. And so on. There should have been nationwide noncompliance, but rolling over and letting them get away with this nonsense is just going to encourage them to continue it.
Said dipwads don't care about the registration. It doesn't affect them at all. They're going to continue to break all the rules and regulations no matter how much you pay the FAA to fly yours.
I’m sure that will get covered in time. They will find a way to have the retailers collect it at time of purchase. If you do not have a valid registration, they will have to collect it and register you just like car dealers do for automobiles.