The Energon Pub

I'm old, not Kup old but I can remember this new crazy toy to take up Star Wars space on toy shelves back in 84.

I work in marketing, and I understand cost of production, limited runs and the lot BUT can someone explain to me Masterpiece pricing to me?

I love the Masterpeices, but for the love of god I don't see the "REAL DIFFERENCE"

Granted color differences, and minor accessory changes in some cases but I DON'T see the cost difference we see. Import charges?

Takara MP1- 134.99
Hasbro MP1- 59.99
Same mold, not as if we went from diecast to "cheap" plastic

Grey MP03- 167.99
Hasbro- 59.99
Almost a third of the cost

Grims Takara- 199.99
Hasbro Grims- 69.99
Almost quarter of the price?

MP Rodimus I will/ can see the price difference since you are "getting 2 figures" and a trailer

MP11- 179.99
Hasbro Thundercracker- 69.99
Different color but same mold, same accessories? Again almost quarter of the price? Even without the cape are you telling me the cape is worth 120?

Takara MP10- 249.99
Hasbro MP10- 99.99
Same on all counts but color


I'm not bitching or complaining I hope the line never ends but I wish to understand. Thanks for any help

The high prices on the Takara items are actually several additional costs added up, including but not limited to:

- Actual retail price in Yen
- Current exchange rates, currently the Yen is very weak against the Dollar.
- Import and transportation costs
- Profit margin

Depending on the location of a store's warehouse, the prices can vary greatly. Also, Takara items are much more limited in quantity because they're only for Japan, while Hasbro takes care of the rest of the world.

Jelze pretty much nailed all the points. Production quantity is a big driving force too. The more you produce in a run, the cheaper it will be.

Let's say Takara only producs 100K for a run while Hasbro is able to produce 300K. Takara focus on the market in Japan and Hasbro pretty much has the rest of the world.

also ham........er supply and demand. I'm willing to bet japan has a higher ratio of collectors to population than we do.

Quality, paint aps, packaging, materials, accessories.


Just look at MP Grimlock.

Waiter outfit, bow tie, brain trans-dingaling, tray, w/ removable drinks.
More crisp paint applications, much higher QC control.
Packaging in high quality card board with high-color, high gloss photos.
inserts, catalogs, comics, collector cards.

it all add's up fast, I'd be willing to be that just the packaging costs 20$ per unit.

Also Takara has to plan on paying the investment off in one run.
They can't plan on a number of repaints.

So the mold's are paid off, and then Hasbro uses them for their own products.

Also, if you are buying a takara release here in the states, it is bought from an importer (say, BBTS). when hasbro sells a piece, they sell to huge retailers (say, ToysRUS), and those huge retailers and hasbro (I believe) work the price out with regards to how much it costs retailer per unit and how much retailer will charge. The small dealers/importers don't have as much sway or control in these matters

Things cost more in Japan. If it's being bought in Japan and imported into the US for sale here, it's going to cost even more.