You have to keep in mind that the majority of LE collectors buy them when they are first released. So, when they are at the convention, they already have most of the LE's that dealers are offering. With more & more collectors getting online, they buy from online dealers. As more get online & buy, the less need they have for buying any LE's at the convention. And the convention is only going to get so many new collectors who are buying LE's. And once they do, those who have online access will start buying online.

As to...

"I know of more than one person who was planning on making a redemption run to turn in LEs at casinos cages."

It sounds to me like those dealers that did, overstocked their inventory & needed to cash in because they needed some money. It does not mean that there are not a lot of happy LE collectors in the hobby as there most certainly is! Dealers like myself, Tyrus & Chuck can attest to that as we sell to them all the time. The majority of those LE collectors are not buying them as an investment. They are buying them because they enjoy collecting LE's. With no thought of ever selling them in the future. Andy - Las Vegas