I think the flipper excuse is being way overexaggerated to be honest. It's being used as a major excuse in favor of convenience by pointing the finger at the VIP structure created for Rainmans dedicated and long time support base in an effort to avoid having to deal with the limited nature of Rainman's products which in my opinion protects and keeps intact the collectibility, quality, and desire for the product more than anything.
First of all an open ended release will not deter flippers from buying this. It will probably invite more who have no interest in this character at all just for the prospect of selling it off eventually.
Secondly, and more importantly, this is directed at everyone who is using the flipping excuse.....Where is the evidence? Where is it evident that rampant flipping is going on? I would be in total agreement if I saw that there was a large trend of collectors who are buying Rainmans work with only with the intention of selling it but I just don't see that. Other than the casual sale, I've only ever maybe seen 1 or 2 members on here that are always stuck in a constant cycle of buying and selling off their Rainman figures, one member in particular who most of you respect because these individuals have become a great resource for your convenience with regard to aquiring clothing, parts and sculpts and as a result get a "pass".....That's the hypocrisy of these boards. So why are some of you pointing fingers with regard to flipping when most of y'all on the flipping bandwagon are in bed with these proven track record flippers on other projects. Why.......because of convienience.
Sideshow Collectables should be convenient, Hottoys should be convenient. Rainman handmade figures have no business being a product of convenience in my opinion. It's what I would suggest to this man if I were a part of his operation.
