Take anything Bobby Vala has to say about Hasbro, or anything in general, with a grain of salt.
As to the 10,000 number? Who really knows? Any number, even from Hasbro, would be a guess. No one I know of is going out there and trying to survey the general population for their interest in ARAH figures.
The reality is that the ARAH line was a huge hit in the 80s. They literally made millions of most figures, and some vehicles. If you check out any retro toy store they will have some ARAH toys guaranteed. Same with any general toy show/convention. That means there is a high likelihood that there are at minimum 10,000 collectors still out there actively collecting. Add to that some small amount of non-fan buyers (store, general collectors, etc.)
Now of course out of all those toys made in the 80s, how many are still circulating? How many are long dumped in the garbage? How many are still in serviceable condition? Then add on the idea of how many collectors out there actually need any of these toys in their collection? I'm sure the hardcore ARAH collectors already have most of the toys, and it is only the super rare items they want.
Then let's add on time. We are talking about a 40 year old toyline now. I'm almost 50 and my priorities have changed from even 10 years ago. As the number of fans dwindles due to age/death there will be more toys available for the remaining fans as well. However will people be interested in 20 years time?
There will always be high value items from the line, but in general the prices will fluctuate for some time, but eventually fall as the demand wanes.
So pay what you are comfortable with paying, but I wouldn't go over $20 for a complete figure, outside of super rare/MOSC obviously.
As for the new O-ring, this is the new pricing structure. All new figures have gone up way too much in just the last 2 years. $20 at retail for a 3.75" figure? I just don't see the value in that, especially when I was getting the 25th/ME for less than $10.
Anyway, long winded answer over..........power off poindexter.