It seems to me the words "Limited Availability" means there aren't many available to buy.

Now, that could be due to many reasons:

1) They didn't make so many.
2) They made a bunch but they sold like hotcakes (to non-Americans that means they sold fast).
3) The HaT warehouse is empty of them so any distributor/ retailer who runs out of them can't get any more until HaT can get another run of them done (which can take some time).

Whichever of the above reasons apply is irrelevent; what is important is YOU BUY AS MANY OF THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU WANT THEM!

Simple.

Now, I don't have a retailer who sells good figures within a hundred mile radius of where I live so here's what I do when I want to buy toy soldiers: I GO ONLINE AND MAKE MY PURCHASES.

Guess what? There are numerous retailers online who still carry 17th Lancers at some great prices.

If you don't have internet (which is unlikely or you wouldn't be participating on this forum) you can use the telephone to phone orders - that's what I did before the internet.

I've been a participant on this forum a long time and a HaT customer longer. I truly appreciate their attempts to keep us informed as to the progress of their future releases and willingness to accept our input in the development of their sets. IMHO, by placing the caveat "Limited Availability" they were giving a heads up to a situation over which they may or may not have control, and it might be a situation they have incomplete knowledge of. We have a saying here in the USA: "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." In other words, if someone is trying to do you a favor or give you something, don't ask to many questions, receive the gift with due appreciation. Translated to this situation: Don't make HaT regret trying to be nice to us.

If I were contemplating buying 17th Lancers (and right now I'm not), I think I would appreciate the "heads up." Also, based on my long experience with HaT I trust them to be honest and not to have to resort to crude stunts to promote the sale of their sets such as falsely claiming a shortage of a given set.