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Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 5:29 pm
by Wheelie Prime
Here, in the Netherlands, prices have always been extreme.

Right now we're paying 24.99 Euros for deluxes, which comes to 32 dollars and 54 cents today. I remember DotM Sentinel costing 89.99 Euros, close to 120 dollars.

And we don't get much. A wave here and there.

No Walmarts. No Targets. And ordering from BBTS means paying more for shipping than you do for your Transformers when you're ordering from here. But I still do. That, and bringing an extra suitcase or two when I visit America.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:37 pm
by Bowspearer
At the risk of being inflammatory, the complaints come across as somewhat sheltered to me tbh and I honestly feel like responding with "welcome to the world of international fans for over a decade now". Here in Australia with how well our dollar is doing compared to the greenback, is that the US (our dollar averages being worth $1.05USD) is now as an ideal choice for a holiday as Bali. Yet we're still paying upto $30 for deluxes. Seriously people, suck it up and welcome to the global marketplace.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:38 pm
by Bowspearer
At the risk of being inflammatory, the complaints come across as somewhat sheltered to me tbh and I honestly feel like responding with "welcome to the world of international fans for over a decade now". Here in Australia with how well our dollar is doing compared to the greenback, is that the US (our dollar averages being worth $1.05USD) is now as an ideal choice for a holiday as Bali. Yet we're still paying upto $30 for deluxes. Seriously people, suck it up and welcome to the global marketplace.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:53 pm
by Bubbah
You know, everytime price increases come up I always see the same arguements. The source country complains, and everyone else responds with "welcome to what we pay", yet I always see one major factor missing. No one ever talks about respective salaries and how that converts.

Now, this is an honest question because I don't know, I'm not trying to stir up anger or anything or say one side is right or wrong. But do the people saying "welcome to the world market, we've been paying this for years" make (roughly) the same salaries as the people in the US? Take me for example. I pull in (roughly) $30k a year (before taxes). So for me, a $7 increase for a figure over the course of 5 years is a big deal and a cause for concern. Now, do the people paying $30 for a deluxe make about the same, or are the salaries inflated as well? If salaries are about the same, then yes we have less reason to bitch, but if salaries are inflated, then it seems a pretty level playing field, you know?

Anyway, just my thought and just curious ... Not trying to piss anyone off :)

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:01 pm
by Bowspearer
Bubbah wrote:You know, everytime price increases come up I always see the same arguements. The source country complains, and everyone else responds with "welcome to what we pay", yet I always see one major factor missing. No one ever talks about respective salaries and how that converts.


That's because comparative salaries is an incredibly minor factor and applying it using common sense, means it will only be a factor when trying to work out how much of a hit companies can take on their profit margins while making a product marketable.

Your main factors are always going to be manufacturing costs, importing costs, and the value of the currency of a country. On top of that you have market complacency also affecting things (ie costs go down in one of those 3 factors, but you keep the price as is because passive consumerism will still see said product sell) before you have comparative salaries affecting them.

In fact, the fact that the price hike has happened, arguably means that comparative salaries have been considered to be irrelevant by Hasbro's marketing division in determining RRPs.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:24 pm
by User897
You can apply all kinds of factors like region, strength of the currency, the job market, the oil prices, etc.

It doesn't matter.

The basic fact is that the toys suffer from "Less More Syndrome."

Less quality.
Less quantity of materials, especially metal.
Less in size.

All for:

More money.

Whenever there is a situation in the consumer market that reveals LESS of an item costs MORE money, the consumers go elsewhere or stop buying the item. It's unavoidable and HasBLO will feel it. So will the retailers when they try to unload all the crap.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:28 pm
by Bowspearer
User897 wrote:the consumers go elsewhere or stop buying the item.


Unless you live in a society of passive consumerism (which most of Western society is) in which case consumers just go along with it and companies continue to price gouge with complete impunity.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:53 pm
by Wheelie Prime
No, it's a valid point, but the difference still seems extreme to me. I've been paying about twice what people in the US have been paying for over 25 years now, and I can tell you that $30k isn't a bad salary for a Dutchman either. Not bad at all.

But, honestly, to me it's not just about the prices, it's about seeing only a fraction of what you know is out there pop up in stores here, seeing reviews appear online for things that won't get released here for at least another six months or so, if at all, missing out on some of the coolest stuff, AND THEN having to pay their ridiculous prices for whatever they do get.

Here, the price for deluxes went up by 5 Euros (7 dollars) overnight. And I wouldn't even mind paying that if I just had more than four deluxes to choose from.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:12 pm
by hook line and sinker
I just wanted to say here, that I have always had a lot of respect for fellow fans around the world who have always paid more and who have learned to not have the "gotta catch em all" syndrome. This is a shout out to you guys who have ALWAYS paid more, ALWAYS had bad distribution, and still maintained a love for the hobby.

I read a thread on another set of boards once where people from around Europe were talking about how finding whatever happened to ship into their areas was what gave their collection it's personality, what made it specifically the individual's. Thought that was such a good attitude to have, as opposed to here in the states, where there are SO many hoarders that Hasbro can't even make enough figures for the rest of us.

In a thread on Scalpers and rising toy prices on TFW2005 I actually mentioned that from now on I am adopting your guys' attitudes towards my collecting, because it is a simple shift in perspective which is really going to evolve my buying habits.

The unbelievable power of the scalper plus the new prices coming from our devalued currency are going to end distribution in the US as fans here know it and it's going to be like collecting around the world very soon. And BBTS isn't going to save us, LOL, they are already charging 20 bucks a piece for the 5 Bruticus toys at 100.00 a set.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:22 pm
by It Is Him
Scalpers will ruin Transformers forever. FOREVER. But seriously, if you buy an entire case from Big Bad for roughly $114 before shipping, it breaks out to 14.25 per toy. That's a $0.75 savings from retail.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 9:40 pm
by MagnusPrimal
The price hike sucks, but it won't affect me much anyway since I can't find anything new at retail to buy.
I think the last TF I bought at retail was Prime Knockout. But I'm definitely going to look less now, as I need to save up money for the FP not-Menasor figures, and reissue Fortress Maximus! If Hasbro doesn't want me to buy their figures, I guess I can oblige them.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 10:00 pm
by RAcast
Yuck. I haven't bought a deluxe since Dead End (when they were still $13). Once FoC came out and the price hikes started, I haven't even bothered to touch them. The only things I've bought at retail are things that haven't gone up to ridiculous heights, Botshot Powerglide, Legion Flamewar, Kre-O Megabee, Sideswipe, Ratchet, and Sentinel sets on deep sale, and GDO Laserbeak. The sad part is, I REALLY want Shockwave, he's so cool, but for $15+? Not even worth it, he's so tiny too.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Thu Oct 04, 2012 11:01 pm
by User897
RAcast wrote:The sad part is, I REALLY want Shockwave, he's so cool, but for $15+? Not even worth it, he's so tiny too.


Agreed. Just not worth it. The alt mode is meh anyway.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 3:35 am
by noctorro
The import shops and online stores here in The Netherlands charge 20 euro's for a FOC deluxe,

now the niche importshops are cheaper then regular retail!!!!!!

Madness, I shall ebay/importshop all figures.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 5:28 am
by Gundamu
I was okay with the first jump in price cause it wasn't that much. But this? Almost 20 dollars for these newer, simpler deluxe figures?! I'm sticking with Bot Shots and Cyberverse from now on.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 6:33 am
by Grimlock Shakur
I've put my 2 cents on this already... but I got another one for u guys!

yesterday I went to my local TRU with my wife... I was just browsing around seeing if they had anything new, and I found Thundercracker! oh yeah! finally! :DANCE: , I was not expecting to find him... no way!, so I take it to the register all happy and stuff..., and it rings up at $86.99! yes you read right $86.99 green ones! I was like wtf?! my wife was like "no way isn't $69.99?" so I had to go back and find the price tag on the shelf, it was tiny, and it said $69.99, took a pic and took it to the cashier, so they gave me the $69.99 price, could you imagine if I was a clueless parent or had no idea and just paid the $86.99? I wonder if TRU is slowly trying to push these prices... so just a heads up for you guys out there still hunting for cracker, jut keep ur eyes open! ;) just lets hope we dont end up seeing Optimus for $149.99! shiznit!


:BOT:

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 9:39 am
by RAcast
User897 wrote:
RAcast wrote:The sad part is, I REALLY want Shockwave, he's so cool, but for $15+? Not even worth it, he's so tiny too.


Agreed. Just not worth it. The alt mode is meh anyway.

I actually really like the altmode, lol.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 9:44 am
by SJ21
I just purchased Thundercracker last week. I am really glad my local store got him when it did. I had him in my hand and talked myself into buying him at $69.99. For $87 I would have put him back.

I will probably be shopping online more often. Until now I would get most of my figures at retail because it was cheaper. Apparently it isn't anymore. Until they start charging sales tax on the internet.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 10:13 am
by IronhidesGhost
A thought occurred to me this morning as I was typing a political rant at some of my friends who bought the pundit spin on the debate and failed to form their own opinions: So now the transformers point. Tobacco and alcohol all carry additional taxes on them, other drugs are illegal and therefore also cost prohibitive. Yet those that bow to their addictions still pony up and pay the price that is demanded. I doubt any of us could deny that we have an addiction. All of us have noted that the tough economy makes it more difficult for us to make these purchases (informed on future potential value though they may be). Perhaps we should take this as our cue to pursue other ambitions. Drop our habit. Acknowledge our addictions and instead of caving to them become "more than meets the eye"s of our friends that look down upon our obsession and do something else with our lives. Work harder, bring more revenue into our homes. I don't want to stop. I don't. We're just coming up on releases that I feel I absolutely have to have (Gaia Unicron was ordered just last night because damn... dude turns into a face). Let's be patriots. Let's fix up our homes. Let's contribute to charities. Let us be men. Men that still get a present on our birthday and Christmas of a transformer from our loved ones but don't go out buying them for ourselves. At least until we can herald in the new age of American prosperity.

I'll let you know how that's working out in a few months after my 35th....

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 10:31 am
by Grimlock Shakur
IronhidesGhost wrote:A thought occurred to me this morning as I was typing a political rant at some of my friends who bought the pundit spin on the debate and failed to form their own opinions: So now the transformers point. Tobacco and alcohol all carry additional taxes on them, other drugs are illegal and therefore also cost prohibitive. Yet those that bow to their addictions still pony up and pay the price that is demanded. I doubt any of us could deny that we have an addiction. All of us have noted that the tough economy makes it more difficult for us to make these purchases (informed on future potential value though they may be). Perhaps we should take this as our cue to pursue other ambitions. Drop our habit. Acknowledge our addictions and instead of caving to them become "more than meets the eye"s of our friends that look down upon our obsession and do something else with our lives. Work harder, bring more revenue into our homes. I don't want to stop. I don't. We're just coming up on releases that I feel I absolutely have to have (Gaia Unicron was ordered just last night because damn... dude turns into a face). Let's be patriots. Let's fix up our homes. Let's contribute to charities. Let us be men. Men that still get a present on our birthday and Christmas of a transformer from our loved ones but don't go out buying them for ourselves. At least until we can herald in the new age of American prosperity.

I'll let you know how that's working out in a few months after my 35th....


oh trust me... I'm sure many of us here have tried to stop collecting, but like you said it's like an addictive drug, I may stop for a couple of months, but then a cool figure draws me back and pulls me in good!, it's weird and hard to explain it to people that don't collect, but I'm sure many of you know exactly what I'm talking about, I'm just glad I'm not a completist, now that's hardcore! I coulndn't afford to be a completist, I just buy what I really like, and it's usually what I can, I used to put Transformers before anything a few years ago, but not anymore, now I have to think twice and do it the right way, and I'm pretty sure I'll keep collecting until I die, even then I want to be buried with a couple of my fav toys! and I'm being serious! :lol: maybe there will be a little anime store or TRU in heaven! and hopefully there won't be any scalpers, they will all be in hell! :grin:

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 10:52 am
by PrymeStriker
Grimlock Shakur wrote:I'm just glad I'm not a completist, now that's hardcore!


I'm glad and sad I'm a completist. :-) :-(

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 11:13 am
by a Cobra Viper
Yep. I'm out. Actually, I've been out for awhile. The last TF I bought must have been... must have... ummm... hmmm. I can't remember. It may have been either Generations Kup or Warpath. I'd have to check when I get home. I haven't agreed with the prices since they hit $12 or so.

My wife and I have been on a great budget. My spending money is very limited. I tell people this and they get a sour look on their faces like they can't believe that's all the money I have to spend. It's not even that, but when you have a set amount of cash it starts to mean a lot more to you. A lot of things, and I mean A LOT of things, just don't hold the same value they once did. My collecting habits have narrowed considerably to the point where I only buy what I absolutely love. ALL Star Wars got knocked out first. Love the brand, but I didn't grow up with the toys. Transformers has dwindled to only masterpieces and an occasional tidbit I like here and there. I used to think 3rd party stuff was too expensive, but without using my money on other things it's pretty easy to save up now. I'm looking forward to ordering my first 3rd party product next week.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 11:34 am
by Grimlock Shakur
I'm just glad that we live in this great country called USA! where we still have the luxury of buying these cool toys even if it's 1 a day or 1 every six months, trust me!, it could be worse people..., I know times are hard for everyone, the way I see is do what makes you happy, as long as you're not hurting anyone, I know as a collector these toys always put a smile on my face, they're not the only things that put a smile on my face though, I'm just thankful that I have a job, a great wife that doesn't nag too much about my collection... hehe, and my health, the rest will come slowly! but for now just know your priorities and lets enjoy life and what we have! ;)

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 11:37 am
by Evil_the_Nub
I just got back from Wal Mart and they were still at the $15 price. It doesn't really matter anyway, I STILL haven't seen a figure I want in 2 months.

On the plus side it's been 15 pages and no one has blamed this on Michael Bay yet.

Re: Wal Mart Price Hike, more than target now

PostPosted: Fri Oct 05, 2012 11:41 am
by Grimlock Shakur
Evil_the_Nub wrote:On the plus side it's been 15 pages and no one has blamed this on Michael Bay yet.


who's that?


;)