Nate and Luke have good points. It isn't really the existence of the give-aways, but the fan/collector knowledge of them that causes the problem. We get tons of information because of the internet and because Palisades has chosen to be very open with us. That's great-- most of the time. It's fun to see pics of the prototypes and see the figures slowly take shape. It's fun to know what is coming in Series 873.
It's not so great when we hear about figures we can't buy or plans fall through (the EM bus playset). Still, I think it is worth it in the end. I'm sorry the bus isn't coming off and I'm sorry I don't have a white tux Rowlf. But I like knowing Palisades tried to make a bus playset and it was cool to see pics of white tux Rowlf.
The problem, as I see it, is more with the attitude we bring to these things than with the availability of the information. This is where Luke's point comes in-- if Palisades had never given away those invisible Beakers or raffled off the holiday Kermits, we probably wouldn't hear so many people lamenting the lack of white tux Rowlfs. For that sort of thing to work, we have to respect Palisades. We have to have faith they'll be honest with us-- that when there are extras of an industry give away, they'll make them available. I don't think that is asking all that much of us-- it is in Palisades' interest to do that as it allows them to make some profit off a figure that was never intended to make money. Profit is profit and Palisades is in business to make money.
Yes, if the rule is 'no industry give-aways to fans ever' it is very simple. But most of us can handle a world that is a little more gray than that. I think it is great that, when supply allows for it, Palisades makes the industry give-aways available.
BTW, was Dr. Teeth an industry give-away? I thought he was a convention exclusive (which pre-dated the CC and thus wasn't eligible, plus Palisades under-estimated the demand and just plain didn't make very many).