We recently returned from another holiday in Spain [from USA] and as usual, shop and purchase a piece(s) of Lladro.  We have seen over the years that the detail of fingers and hands in particular, has gone downhill.  The earlier pieces had more defined fingers.  While searching and examining a particular figure of interest this time, the shopkeeper in a very fine Lladro retail store told us that because he had a higher volume of sales, and perhaps years in the retail, he was able to chose pieces himself--first choice for display and sale.  We saw evidence in many of his pieces which were of higher quality than those exhibited in other stores.  We even found that some shop keepers attempt to tell us different stories of the availability of retired pieces.  Perhaps they just think that Americans are naive.  It is nice to be able to shop and compare stores that are totally devoted to Lladro even in the same cities.  In the USA, you have to travel longer distances around to find stores that even carry the same pieces.  So, yes, because they are individually made by different artisans, all artisans are not the same!  Happy hunting.  The hunt is half the fun!