I'm in a wait and see mode-
The price of the single boxes and mastercases increasing by 50% or more is a big concern- I don't see the secondary market responding well to the idea of a set of 6 basics selling for $100 plus, when they have just been released.
I am thinking about that Boba set, and how a box of 12 is probably almost certain to only have 1 basic set, plus some extras. Immediately the extras are virtually worthless, because anyone buying them would still be stuck looking for the expensive 1 per box ones later to have a set.
So hypothetically I buy a box at $150 or more, get a basic set of 6, 2 extra of 2 of them, and 1 each of 2 others. That would make 2 1 per box figures, not far off from the ratios of some of the recent series. Those that came with 2 extra in each box (packed 3 per box) immediately become $5 to $10 figures, and maybe the other two extras (packed 2 per box) are worth $10 to $15. If my estimates are right and on the high side, that works out to selling your extras and ending up with a basic set of 6 at at $100, plus the hassle of listing and shipping the others, and the shipping you paid for the box to begin with.
Meanwhile, the prices of all the previous released sets has dropped steadily over the last year. Right now a basic set of series 1, 2, or 3 might set you back $60 with out much effort, when they were over a $100 a year or so ago. Part of that is 1 and 2 being released on cards, decreasing demand for the loose ones. But it doesn't explain why 3 is so far down, and 4 going that way as well. Series 5 and higher never became that desirable (and can all be had for $40 or so per basic set of 6). So to see the basic sets become $100 plus out of the chute is frightening. If they hold their value fairly well, them I am ok with that. I don't expect to make money buying star wars toys, but I would rather not lose my shirt either.
But that doesn't even touch on chases. If a 1 per 2 mastercases figure (1:96) has typically been in the $100-$125 range, what do they become when the mastercases has increased in cost by 50-75%? Will the next Aurra Sing type chase sell for $175-$200?
I guess I just don't see the market supporting the cost of these mastercases, basic sets, and chases. And the box sets had already become ridiculous.
So, I may opt for a box of Fetts and see what shakes. I've ditched every other line except a few OT figures and GH sets, so this is where my collecting money will go. But I may jump the fence and become a basic set collector off of other peoples mastercases if everything stays so upside-down on the pricing.