Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

Eh, this ain't no economics thread, I guess the bottom line is: Hasbro are cheeky with their pricing.

Air Vehicons too?? Ruddy hell, I need a TRU teleporter.

A fantastic example of the disparity is Masterpiece Soundwave. 119.99 in both dollars and sterling.

Using todays exchange rate that brings him out at £75.57 pre sales tax. Given our prices have our sales tax (VAT) built in we can say that ours is £96. That's still a whopping £20 price difference. In essence the Americans are getting more buying power for their currency. To buy Soundwave in the UK it's going to cost an American $188. As apposed to buying local at $119.99. In real terms, irrespective of currency the value of Soundwave is 22% more in the UK than the States (pre tax).

There are many many factors that will effect this value on a daily basis. Not to mention how much it costs Hasbro to get the equivalent item onto the shelves of different countries, how big the potential market is etc. But the basic fact is - yes it cost more for Brits to buy him.

There's another factor that's not being taken into account here. Import costs. Yes, we can buy at US prices (Hasbro's core market where pricing is driven as much by the big chains as it is by Hasbro) but once you factor in international shipping and taxes you're as well paying UK prices most of the time. That wasn't strictly the case when we were getting $2 to the pound but those days are long gone.

For what we're getting in MP Soundwave. Which is Soundwave, all his Accesseries and 5 cassettes who all transform aswell. I think £120 is well worth it.

waaaaghlord wrote:There's another factor that's not being taken into account here. Import costs. Yes, we can buy at US prices (Hasbro's core market where pricing is driven as much by the big chains as it is by Hasbro) but once you factor in international shipping and taxes you're as well paying UK prices most of the time. That wasn't strictly the case when we were getting $2 to the pound but those days are long gone.

I tend to save up a bunch of bots to import at once. Even when I have been stung on customs charges, it's usually the time taken that bugs me more than the cost, which usually just balances things out to having bought from a UK source. Most times I end up with a couple quid extra on each bot from the shipping, but have saved £5-£10 on normal priced figures, when it gets to something like an MP or a 3rd party deluxe or larger, it can be a whole lot. Using TFSource I can "stack" items and shop on a nicely laid out, working website.

I'll buy stuff in the UK, because it's great to see stuff in the shops in front of you and be able to walk out with it. I love that. Also, we do get bargains from time to time, and sometimes theres stuff I can't afford to pre-order, or is only sold in sets with a whole wave. There's a lot to be said for both ordering online from another country, and for buying from the UK in one way or another. And there's a whole lot that can be said about the various pricings. Basically, as consumers we've a lot of choices in general, but specifically talking about the IDW Not-Comic figures showing up at Toys R Us, they're taking to pee.

munkimus prime wrote:For what we're getting in MP Soundwave. Which is Soundwave, all his Accesseries and 5 cassettes who all transform aswell. I think £120 is well worth it.

considering the price for the Japanese version, which only came with 1 tape, and minimal differences between them, I'm glad I held out for the Hasbro version of Soundwave.

I did buy the MP Rumble, Ravage, Buzzsaw and Frenzy sets, and paid about £70-80 for them. In comparison with Hasbro MP Soundwave that seems a lot, but I think they're worth it, and at the time there was no guarantee what Hasbro's version would come with, if anything.

Okay so on my way home today I popped into Warrington Toys R us, I spotted a Skyquake there a couple weeks ago but it's now gone.

But better then that, on the floor in front of all the transformers section was a massive box, it was taped up, sealed, and there was no space yet on the shelf for what was inside. but on the box it said transformers titan class, it had to be Metroplex, no word on price, and I didn't have a camera on me to take a picture of the box unfortunately but they are appearing in stores now. They come 2 per case it said on the box.

Lockdown91 wrote:Okay so on my way home today I popped into Warrington Toys R us, I spotted a Skyquake there a couple weeks ago but it's now gone.

But better then that, on the floor in front of all the transformers section was a massive box, it was taped up, sealed, and there was no space yet on the shelf for what was inside. but on the box it said transformers titan class, it had to be Metroplex, no word on price, and I didn't have a camera on me to take a picture of the box unfortunately but they are appearing in stores now. They come 2 per case it said on the box.

At warrington? That's not far from me.

I've been really undecided on metroplex and I really don't feel that he's something that I need or can justify spending that much money on, but I think it might help my decision to see the box in person.

Do you often visit the warrington store Lockdown?

Yeahh I live in Warrington so its easy access to the store.

They may end up putting them back in the store room until space on the shelf appears.

I don't have the space for him, but if he goes on sale and ends up very very very cheap, as in, £40 worth of cheap I'd probably buy him then, but as I doubt that will happen ever, I don't see me ending up owning him any time soon haha

Muhmuhmuh-metroplex would be bossly with all my legends figures to populate him, but £130 for something that is probably bigger than most of my shelves is a quandry. I'd love to have him, but preferrably as a gift, so I don't have to think about the implications of buying one.

Wasp-shot23 wrote:Muhmuhmuh-metroplex would be bossly with all my legends figures to populate him, but £130 for something that is probably bigger than most of my shelves is a quandry. I'd love to have him, but preferrably as a gift, so I don't have to think about the implications of buying one.

That's what Christmas is for.

Va'al wrote:

Wasp-shot23 wrote:Muhmuhmuh-metroplex would be bossly with all my legends figures to populate him, but £130 for something that is probably bigger than most of my shelves is a quandry. I'd love to have him, but preferrably as a gift, so I don't have to think about the implications of buying one.

That's what Christmas is for.

I think even asking for that for xmas may be a bit much. I've never received anything over £200. And I'm not sure my dad would be able to sneak it in without me noticing...
But! That reminds me I need to write a xmas list.
1) Springer
2) ...
I can't really think of anything else I really want...
Apart from basically all the Generations figures that aren't out here yet.

Not asking Santa for a Metroplex?

Just been combining Hishoumaru and Gekisoumaru, rather nice together. shame bird boy is pretty weak on his own.

Inspired by recent economic discussions I had a look on amazon.com to see how much metroplex would set me back from the US...it came to over 180 dollars including postage and taxes so no cheaper than here, I.e. more than I can justify.

Then the wife spotted BH Shockwave so we checked and the total cost for his voyager toy from america was less than £25...so she bought it for me. Now that's love! I know his vehicle mode is unpopular but I quite like it, and anyway, its freakin' shockwave!

Now when I go to TRU on Saturday I just need to persuade her to let me get generations stars cream if he is there! Addiction is an expensive thing...

Wasp-shot23 wrote:

Va'al wrote:

Wasp-shot23 wrote:Muhmuhmuh-metroplex would be bossly with all my legends figures to populate him, but £130 for something that is probably bigger than most of my shelves is a quandry. I'd love to have him, but preferrably as a gift, so I don't have to think about the implications of buying one.

That's what Christmas is for.

I think even asking for that for xmas may be a bit much. I've never received anything over £200. And I'm not sure my dad would be able to sneak it in without me noticing...
But! That reminds me I need to write a xmas list.
1) Springer
2) ...
I can't really think of anything else I really want...
Apart from basically all the Generations figures that aren't out here yet.

Can you not ask all your relatives to pool together for it?

I ain't fussed about the Plex, I'm waiting for my Covenant of Primus book.

Just had an email to say that Metroplex is available for home delivery from TRU for £124.99.

Is he worth it?

'Plex is nice. not sure whether to wait for the inevitable price drop or two for one.

Gonna wait until the Covenant of Primus is sold without with stupid plastic shell nd ends up being 20/30 rather than 100

Neurie wrote:Gonna wait until the Covenant of Primus is sold without with stupid plastic shell nd ends up being 20/30 rather than 100

I'm a sucker for plastic shells.

yeah, thinking I'll be asking for the Covenant Of Primus from Santa. Metroplex must be mine as soon as I see it! Unless I don't have the money then.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transformers-Co ... 1477805990

Mr O wrote:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transformers-Covenant-Primus-Justina-Robson/dp/1477805990

It's been on my wish list for ages.

Wasp-shot23 wrote:

Mr O wrote:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transformers-Covenant-Primus-Justina-Robson/dp/1477805990

It's been on my wish list for ages.

It's on my ordered list. As above, I'm waiting for it. Still drooling.

Just ordered MP G2 Sideswipe from HLJ. £32 plus shipping due out in February.

Looks like its gonna be a new MP every 2 ish months from now for the next 6 months ish

Neurie wrote:Just ordered MP G2 Sideswipe from HLJ. £32 plus shipping due out in February.

Looks like its gonna be a new MP every 2 ish months from now for the next 6 months ish

Was that £32 inclusive of shipping or was shipping extra?

Neurie wrote:Just ordered MP G2 Sideswipe from HLJ. £32 plus shipping due out in February.

Looks like its gonna be a new MP every 2 ish months from now for the next 6 months ish

Don't forget the customs charge, whatever that will be. Plus the admin fee you are charged for the pleasure!