Bob, an autoship for a collector involves an arrangement with a dealer to purchase each new HL release in exchange for getting the same number each time. Most people who are on autoship are getting a two digit number, but not all. Sometimes you might be allowed to pass on an occassional release, but your deal is you will take them all. Some also have auto ship deals on GLOWs and Anchor Bays. It is a significant commitment on the part of the collector to say the least.

An autoship for the dealer means they have agreed with HL to take a certain number of each and every new release of whichever line they want. They don't always get the same numbers year to year, especially if they are at the newer end of being an autoship dealer. For example, when my dealer first started taking autoship they were receiving pieces in the 1600 range. They moved to the 1200s, then 800s and I think they are now getting pieces in the 600 range but haven't looked recently. Kind of depends on how many dealers in front of them have autoships, and as dealers have dropped they have moved lower and lower in their numbers.