If I can wait, I buy them used in hardcover from a local used bookstore or within the first week of release they ussually give a 25% off cover price discount. Still a bit of money even with the discount, but it beats waiting forever.
The used book route is the way to go... ussually able to get them in hardcover for slightly more than paperback prices and still in great shape.
The books releases are ussually fewer and more time between than the toys, so it evens out in the end.
And when you cant find figs or ships, you buy what you can get.