I also agree with this statement above.
To me something doesn't sound right, this was not marketed as a limited edition box set and now for them to up and basically quit manufacturing it...something is going on in the background we are not privy to. Let's face it this box set was a disaster the moment customers began to receive these defective sets and now to hear they won't be re manufacturing the box is another huge letdown.
It's a letdown for the public who want to buy it, a letdown for the record label, a let down for the artist and most of all a letdown to correct a wrong. A wrong that UMe needs to take responsibility for in not overseeing the original pressing and correct it by re pressing the vinyl exclusive for the public that wanted the original box set as marketed.
Never under estimate the power of the public, when something fails there are repercussions. I still think there is something about this we don't know about...part of the Carpenters legacy has been affected by the defective release of this set and then opting to quit after things turned bad. This is about the preservation of their music.
Presumably though, because the albums in the box set are being sold individually as well, it's easier (and more cost-effective) for the record company to replace individual defective albums rather than complete box sets (the box itself wasn't defective)?
As for them not making any more copies of the box sets, well, presumably they've had their fingers burnt to an extent after all the problems that have occurred and are drawing a line under it because of all the bad feedback. It's hard to say whether it will be an issue in that future that the box set is no longer available to buy - I imagine most of those who wanted it have already bought it. It was never going to be a huge seller to the mainstream audience (a) because of its high cost and (b) because it doesn't include anything unreleased or special (an exclusive booklet, etc). Perhaps it will become a niche collector's item in the future, although again you'd have to be a pretty hardcore fan to want it (essentially it's just a cardboard wrapper around albums that can be bought separately).
The box set wasn't of interest to me, but all this does go to show the problems with the quality of new vinyl pressings these days. I've heard of numerous releases, all with premium price tags, that have the same issues as this box set (or even worse in some cases). Whilst back in vinyl's heyday in the 1970s/1980s, you'd occasionally get the odd duff pressing, I've never heard of problems this bad on this scale, where the quality is worse than secondhand copies you can pick up for a dollar or so. It seems that a lot of the pressings these days are done on the cheap in Eastern Europe and the quality control is variable or even non-existent.
I think most new vinyl is very overpriced even if it were perfect, but given the frequency with which these issues arise now, even if I were interested, I'd be very cautious and would wait to read some reviews on the quality before purchasing, particularly if buying from overseas sellers.