I'd have gone for it at $5600, maybe $6k if the art was better.

I am not doubting that is what the dealer told you. But this is something I'd take with a grain of salt.

I was told by one distributer that XMLE was selling out quick and he might not be able to get me the Wolverine model since that was selling out, while in fact years later dealers still had both versions in inventory I was talking to one dealer 18 months after I got XMLE and they had 6 in stock a few of each.

It's like asking a barber if he thinks you need a haircut. What do you think he's going to say?

If a distributer ordered 15 and he sold only 2 (I'm just giving this as an example) and you call him. Do you think he'd say:
a) I ordered 15 and I only sold 2.
b) I ordered 15 which is almost sold out so I'm ordering another 15.

I'll bet you 99 out of 100 will say (b) because it creates the illusion that it's selling well and it's price is good.

I'm very glad Stern did make this VE especially the new dots. I hope they sell a ton of them. I would buy one but not at this price. Maybe in a year the prices will adjust to where a used SMVE probably holding $600-$800 above a used SM (old).

SM is a top game, the new dots are way better and the art while not my cup of tea, does look nice.

Personally I was just looking for a bit lower price so I'm out or will see if I can get one HUO in a few months