Thanks for the replies and discussion.
A few caveats for me. I'm 39, so child of the '80s and fond memories of OT SW, Transformers, He-Man, G.I. Joe, and so on. I've collected all kinds of toy lines from vintage to new over the years. Settled in not long ago trying to buy into what I considered the "best" representation of given properties. So I've been buying TF Masterpiece since MP10. Have a wide array of 25th anniversary Joe (which I may actually dump for Sideshow 1/6 Joes). Masters Classics as well (although maybe sell for Mondo 1/6 Masters for same reasons).
I had originally been looking towards the Black line and such, but the quality of that quickly went south. I want to step up the quality of my collectibles as well. I have the means to do it. Don't think I want to go all the way up to statues, 1/4 scale, and PF though. That gets even more expensive fast plus that stuff is so big. I'd rather have more characters in my display than less and my interests cover too many properties as named plus comics.
I'm waitlisted on as many of HT items as I could. So Luke EX, Leia EX, Ben, and I waitlisted Han and Chewbacca individually as well as the set. Sounds like relying on the waitlist to convert may not be the best option though.
Starting with TFA doesn't work for me as I may never buy those. OT is my desire. I don't think I'd spring for the Falcon cockpit. It's cool, but so big. I don't want to opt for stuff like the Spacetrooper just cause it's available ideally either. Like other have mentioned, it's the classic representation of major characters that is my focus. That means these core ANH releases for me. I may buy various ESB and ROTJ releases too, but not minor alterations. So like Vader, Chewbacca, Stormtrooper etc. I'd just the one ANH version, but I could spring for a ROTJ Jedi Luke or Hoth outfits.
I think I just need to bite the bullet and pay the eBay prices for now. If waitlists converts I guess I can always resell them at a profit to offset my aftermarket overspending. Seems crazy they don't just make more of the sellouts.