You just described at least 50% of the reason NRD are apparently here to stay at SSC but it's a losing proposition. It's just going to take them an annoyingly long time to discover that all they are accomplishing is driving customers into the waiting arms of BBTS (great shipping deals), and Alter Ego (reward points).
Except for the occasional exclusive, I've never looked back in my exodus from Sideshow.
They will figure it out.....eventually. But it will take the realization that orders are down, and BBTS/AE are having record years.
They won't ever change because most figures sell out anyway. All they lose is the kind of customers they most likely don't want to deal with anyway.