Regarding the smurfs retired this year, does Schleich "burn the molds" ? I mean, what's stopping Schleich from next year producing praying smurf and baseball smurfette in a regular run and bursting the current bubble those figurines command? Does Schleich plan "rare ones"--for example, retire a smurf early just to generate collector interest? I admit--I bet these high-profile ones rev-up the market. I buy smurfs because I--er, uh, "admire their aesthetic appeal"
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(I can't bring myself to say "I think they're cute"
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). But, I imagine a lot of people stock up on smurfs in hopes of getting the next $2,000 one--not giving a
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about the little blue folks. Schleich would lose that market if smurfs didn't command more $$$ (&&&?) in re-sale. Does my theory ring true?
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