It's still beyond my comprehension that Hasbro didn't get this beast out during the (failed) TPM 3D push. Holding this non-iconic vehicle back so there's no decent marketing push to help boost it's sales along, while it's saddled with such a hefty price tag is a recipe for disaster - even moreso if it doesn't make it to all the regular B&M stores. Further, Hasbro trying to coerce collectors into buying this by suggesting it's ultimate sales numbers will likely dictate the potential fate of a Jabba's Sail Barge being made in the future just sucks. That's hardly an apples to apples comparison, if that's really what Hasbro will be basing it's decision on. The Barge is a far more iconic vehicle, plus it's from the OT and is the basis for a major plot point's setting (with far more "play-value" built in). The BMF's sales from a couple years back would be a far more valid comparison (or even the AT-AT's). Considering these two are coming back to retail again next year, along with Boba's Slave-1, I think Hasbro must know that iconic OT vehicles are a far surer sale than what they're going to be seeing with this MTT.
With that in mind, I'm not too worried about nabbing this vehicle just yet, and will probably wait to get one until they drop into double digits, at least. Hopefully Pete's concern isn't validated, and I don't get burned for my patience. I definitely agree that the interactivity with the future mini-rig vehicle is an added plus for this set, but again, foresight and better planning would've really helped, as releasing the mini-rig the year AFTER the MTT's release (I'm assuming) is just flat out stupid beyond words. Unless, of course, these MTTs are still shelf-warming next year, which is certainly a possibility.