RE price variance

[sbsbsb1]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but what is the reasoning behind the pricing difference of various regional editions?  Ten count boxes can vary from the upper 200 to nearly 1000 dollars, seemingly regardless of size or marca?  Does it correlate to quality in any way, or is it based on other factors such as collectability?

[MagicalBikeRide]

Others will know more, but I’d expect taxes and demand are the biggest factors 

[Chibearsv]

I’ve found that REs are generally very good cigars. They’re usually true to the Marca in terms of strength and flavor. I suppose rarity and FOMO affect pricing as well as market preferences. I’d scoop up $20ish REs just to try them out. Beware though, that sounds like it’s way too good to be true in today’s market.  

[Lt4-396]

The first question would be, are you referring to MSRP or second hand pricing?

The quantity of boxes produced, what region it was produced for, what marca, and what the vitola is all impact pricing, among other things. A Lancero/Churchill is going to demand a higher price than a Petite Robusto, especially on the secondary market. A box of 30/40/50 is going to command a higher price per stick than a box of 10, again, especially on the secondary market.

I have veered away from RE's over the years. The price hikes put a nail in the coffin so to speak. Last RE I bought was the LGC Espana 2017. The new PL Leones has peaked my interest, if I can find them for close to retail I may pull the trigger on a few boxes but that is about it.  The value just is not there for me considering how good regular production is smoking right now. The RE program used to put out some excellent cigars at very reasonable prices, unfortunately that is no longer true. They have increasingly become "special releases" over the years instead of what their original intention was. "Influencers" have not helped the situation with constantly throwing the word collectible in the same sentence as EL/RE releases.