Please remember that Lotr was very popular in other countries too.
There is still lots of players, collectors out there selling/reorganize their collections. Personally i know few shops still selling rest of their OOP stuff.
I agree with SouthernDunedain regarding BNiB's, they are more valuable and should be priced a bit higher, opening new blister is priceless (if you really want them open
. Also you have 101% guarantee they are original.
As for the fakes hmm... im from Eastern Europe but never bought fakes here but i see few mostly in UK
So please do not generalize