The Energon Pub

Akibahara?! You so lucky!

Let us all know how you like them, I'm especially into Roadblock here.

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:Akibahara?! You so lucky!

Let us all know how you like them, I'm especially into Roadblock here.

Thanks J. I hope to be even more lucky to go there myself one day.
My buddy lives in NY, so I gotta wait a few more days for him to send them.
Can't wait!
I'll file a full report ASAP!

Original Cosmos post updated with new comparison pics!

Rated X wrote:

Burn wrote:geez that's a massive (and superior) difference.

*****Praying thats sarcasm******

Its comparison shots like this that make me think what I do about takara. Theres not a person alive that can look me in the eyes with a staight face and tell me a different shade of orange and a few lousy paint apps doubles the production costs. Maybe back when they were doing shiny paint. (united) But this....naw, hell no.

They are the very same price to me. I could have bought hasbro drift at tru in canada and he would have cost me 23$ cdn total (18.48$US). So I bought takara drift from amiami instead for 23$ cdn shipped (18.48$ US). So while it might be different for you, I had the choice of paying the same amount for either the hasbro or takara version and I picked the version with better paint apps. Wouldnt you have done the same? I think those prices you saw in japan for the animated line have changed since. Getting both figures would cost me 18.48$ US. Myth BUSTED!

It looks better than the Hasbro version, but he needs a gun. I'll stick with my Igear Cosmos for now.

william-james88 wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Burn wrote:geez that's a massive (and superior) difference.

*****Praying thats sarcasm******

Its comparison shots like this that make me think what I do about takara. Theres not a person alive that can look me in the eyes with a staight face and tell me a different shade of orange and a few lousy paint apps doubles the production costs. Maybe back when they were doing shiny paint. (united) But this....naw, hell no.

They are the very same price to me. I could have bought hasbro drift at tru in canada and he would have cost me 23$ cdn total (18.48$US). So I bought takara drift from amiami instead for 23$ cdn shipped (18.48$ US). So while it might be different for you, I had the choice of paying the same amount for either the hasbro or takara version and I picked the version with better paint apps. Wouldnt you have done the same? I think those prices you saw in japan for the animated line have changed since. Getting both figures would cost me 18.48$ US. Myth BUSTED!

Were talking about straight up brick and mortar sales on japanese soil. Were not talking about how much you can get them online based on shipping or customs fees that are unique to your country. So unless you been to Japan or know a transformer fan who has, theres not much you can say. I noticed the absence of fans who actually live in Japan on both this site and TFW2005. I always found that kind of odd.

Rated X wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Burn wrote:geez that's a massive (and superior) difference.

*****Praying thats sarcasm******

Its comparison shots like this that make me think what I do about takara. Theres not a person alive that can look me in the eyes with a staight face and tell me a different shade of orange and a few lousy paint apps doubles the production costs. Maybe back when they were doing shiny paint. (united) But this....naw, hell no.

They are the very same price to me. I could have bought hasbro drift at tru in canada and he would have cost me 23$ cdn total (18.48$US). So I bought takara drift from amiami instead for 23$ cdn shipped (18.48$ US). So while it might be different for you, I had the choice of paying the same amount for either the hasbro or takara version and I picked the version with better paint apps. Wouldnt you have done the same? I think those prices you saw in japan for the animated line have changed since. Getting both figures would cost me 18.48$ US. Myth BUSTED!

Were talking about straight up brick and mortar sales on japanese soil. Were not talking about how much you can get them online based on shipping or customs fees that are unique to your country. So unless you been to Japan or know a transformer fan who has, theres not much you can say. I noticed the absence of fans who actually live in Japan on both this site and TFW2005. I always found that kind of odd.

Come on man, I was talking retail for the hasbro stuff. I mentioned how much he costs me at toysrus with taxes, no custom fees or shipping. And that takara costs the same as that when you include shipping. So are you saying that japanese sites charge less than japanese brick and mortar stores? Well they dont and here is proof.

Here are actual pictures of takara figures in japan by a site contact who lives there:





You can read the price tags: 1105 yen, which is 8.80$ US. Bomshell at toysrus right now costs 12.99 $ US. So, right now, Hasbro is charging more for the Hasbro version of the figure than Japan is for the Takara version. Both brick and mortar examples.

So I repeat for what I hope is the last time: MYTH BUSTED!

What do you have to say to that?

Ugh. I don't like that choice of color for Cosmos. It's rare, but does happen from time to time, that Hasbro picks the better of the two color choices compared to Takara Tomy.

william-james88 wrote:

Rated X wrote:

william-james88 wrote:

Rated X wrote:

Burn wrote:geez that's a massive (and superior) difference.

*****Praying thats sarcasm******

Its comparison shots like this that make me think what I do about takara. Theres not a person alive that can look me in the eyes with a staight face and tell me a different shade of orange and a few lousy paint apps doubles the production costs. Maybe back when they were doing shiny paint. (united) But this....naw, hell no.

They are the very same price to me. I could have bought hasbro drift at tru in canada and he would have cost me 23$ cdn total (18.48$US). So I bought takara drift from amiami instead for 23$ cdn shipped (18.48$ US). So while it might be different for you, I had the choice of paying the same amount for either the hasbro or takara version and I picked the version with better paint apps. Wouldnt you have done the same? I think those prices you saw in japan for the animated line have changed since. Getting both figures would cost me 18.48$ US. Myth BUSTED!

Were talking about straight up brick and mortar sales on japanese soil. Were not talking about how much you can get them online based on shipping or customs fees that are unique to your country. So unless you been to Japan or know a transformer fan who has, theres not much you can say. I noticed the absence of fans who actually live in Japan on both this site and TFW2005. I always found that kind of odd.

Come on man, I was talking retail for the hasbro stuff. I mentioned how much he costs me at toysrus with taxes, no custom fees or shipping. And that takara costs the same as that when you include shipping. So are you saying that japanese sites charge less than japanese brick and mortar stores? Well they dont and here is proof.

Here are actual pictures of takara figures in japan by a site contact who lives there:





You can read the price tags: 1105 yen, which is 8.80$ US. Bomshell at toysrus right now costs 12.99 $ US. So, right now, Hasbro is charging more for the Hasbro version of the figure than Japan is for the Takara version. Both brick and mortar examples.

So I repeat for what I hope is the last time: MYTH BUSTED!

What do you have to say to that?

Well youre photos contridict what others have said on here in the past, not to mention my personal expierence which I mentioned earlier. Im not saying your guy is wrong, Im just saying I saw what I saw and I was there on Japanese soil.

If what your pictures reflect is true, then that would make all online retailers the biggest price gougers ever. Bottom line is all the figures come from the same Has/Tak factory in China. And thats where they get "shipped" from, not Japan. If the guys in Japan who had them "shipped" from China can charge retail, why cant the guys in China charge the same ? It's not like the figures being sold to Chinese retailers had to be "shipped" by boat or plane...

Import fees ? Rubbish....You ever been to a dollar store ? Everything is stamped "Made in China" (or Taiwan) It seems only Takara products somehow incur these mythical "shipping fees" which double the price to overseas buyers. Everything else from vases to wristwatches (and KO's) seem to make it overseas without the added price hike...

You start to notice the price hike when you compare the price of Takara deluxes to Takara voyager and leader figures. (BBTS prices and weights)

Takara deluxe $29.99 vs. Hasbro deluxe $16.99 (weight .55 pounds) $13 dollar difference

Takara voyager $44.99 vs. Hasbro Voyager $26.99 (weight 1.19 pounds) $18 dollar difference

Takara Leader $69.99 vs. Hasbro Leader $46.99 (weight 1.40 pounds) $23 dollar difference

The weight is hardly going up so why does the price keep going up ? Thats not shipping costs. Shipping costs are based on weight, and POL shipping brings down the costs greatly. So whats the price difference for if its not shipping ? It's a load of BS and everybody knows it.

So where can I buy a Takara figure for Hasbro (Miami) prices and have it shipped to Miami at a standard Fedex $7.99 shipping fee ? You seem to have the hook up, right ?

Rated X wrote:If what your pictures reflect is true, then that would make all online retailers the biggest price gougers ever. Bottom line is all the figures come from the same Has/Tak factory in China. And thats where they get "shipped" from, not Japan. If the guys in Japan who had them "shipped" from China can charge retail, why cant the guys in China charge the same ? It's not like the figures being sold to Chinese retailers had to be "shipped" by boat or plane...

Import fees ? Rubbish....You ever been to a dollar store ? Everything is stamped "Made in China" (or Taiwan) It seems only Takara products somehow incur these mythical "shipping fees" which double the price to overseas buyers. Everything else from vases to wristwatches (and KO's) seem to make it overseas without the added price hike...

You start to notice the price hike when you compare the price of Takara deluxes to Takara voyager and leader figures. (BBTS prices and weights)

Takara deluxe $29.99 vs. Hasbro deluxe $16.99 (weight .55 pounds) $13 dollar difference

Takara voyager $44.99 vs. Hasbro Voyager $26.99 (weight 1.19 pounds) $18 dollar difference

Takara Leader $69.99 vs. Hasbro Leader $46.99 (weight 1.40 pounds) $23 dollar difference

The weight is hardly going up so why does the price keep going up ? Thats not shipping costs. Shipping costs are based on weight, and POL shipping brings down the costs greatly. So whats the price difference for if its not shipping ? It's a load of BS and everybody knows it.

So where can I buy a Takara figure for Hasbro (Miami) prices and have it shipped to Miami at a standard Fedex $7.99 shipping fee ? You seem to have the hook up, right ?

Rated X, you are hereby invited to visit this thread and take part in the discussion:

Toy Economics: Price Differences in different markets and the factors behind them.

I'll be waiting

Will, X, it would appear that you both possibly missed my post on the previous page. Or not. I don't know, but I would like to invite you both to revisit it just in case.
http://www.seibertron.com/energonpub/takara-tomy-transformers-adventure-line-tav-ted-misc--p1695406.php#p1695406

Although it seems the point may be moot now as X has conceded, but it is a good example of price on Japanese soil.


In an effort to maintain topic. It was brought up with Adams, that not all the TAV line have the game scan faction symbols. Looking at my photo from the above linked post it would appear that Roadblock and possibly Slug do not either. I wonder why? Is it simply because there is no room? Maybe they are not part of whatever app game they have in Japan?
What an interesting jumble of mismatched TFs this line is becoming.
I think it's hilarious and fantastic.

Cobotron wrote:In an effort to maintain topic. It was brought up with Adams, that not all the TAV line have the game scan faction symbols. Looking at my photo from the above linked post it would appear that Roadblock and possibly Slug do not either. I wonder why? Is it simply because there is no room? Maybe they are not part of whatever app game they have in Japan?
What an interesting jumble of mismatched TFs this line is becoming.
I think it's hilarious and fantastic.

Roadblock and Slug do have one, on the back of his scoop and the outside of the left arm, respectively. Adams' is quite well hidden, I'll have to see where it is...

JelZe GoldRabbit wrote:

Cobotron wrote:In an effort to maintain topic. It was brought up with Adams, that not all the TAV line have the game scan faction symbols. Looking at my photo from the above linked post it would appear that Roadblock and possibly Slug do not either. I wonder why? Is it simply because there is no room? Maybe they are not part of whatever app game they have in Japan?
What an interesting jumble of mismatched TFs this line is becoming.
I think it's hilarious and fantastic.

Roadblock and Slug do have one, on the back of his scoop and the outside of the left arm, respectively. Adams' is quite well hidden, I'll have to see where it is...

Very interesting J. Has anyone seen the game the have over there?

Rated X wrote:
Well youre photos contridict what others have said on here in the past, not to mention my personal expierence which I mentioned earlier. Im not saying your guy is wrong, Im just saying I saw what I saw and I was there on Japanese soil.


So where can I buy a Takara figure for Hasbro (Miami) prices and have it shipped to Miami at a standard Fedex $7.99 shipping fee ? You seem to have the hook up, right ?

Well, to be fair, most people here were talking about what they know from online and there werent many brick and mortar store prices witnessed. There was yours, there was mine and there was Cobotron's :





You can see, his deluxe cost him 1890 yen in Japan, so 15.76$ US. So while what you saw was probably true, I am more inclined to base myself on the most recent evidence which are my insecticon pics and Cobotron's pics. And those prices are reflected in the online store I buy my takara stuff at.

Speaking of my hookup, below are links for 3 figures (either available or upcoming) for you to get an idea of what they have:

RID Warriors (TAV) Bumblebee for 14.97$ US

MP G2 Bumblebee for 31.92$ US

Leader Generations (Legends) Ultra Magnus for 44.98$ US

At prices like those, I dont bother with Hasbro unless there is a massive discount or I want a figure NOW

The shipping is comparable. Kanrabat had 3 figures ship to him for 8$ US about, he picked the SAL option. I am not familiar with Fedex or their rates since I dont use it, they usually go through formal customs and make me pay more fees.

And you are right there is something screwey. These guys always sell these toys at 30% off the MSRP. And those discounted prices are the same prices seen in the insecticons pics and Cobotron's pics. So it seems that they keep a high MSRP for when selling to retailers (like selling to BBTS at 50% off MRSP) but for local sellers and japanese sellers, they are giving them a much reduced price that would probably be the same as Hasbro's for the same reasons you pointed out. What I mean is that while this site, Amiami, and brick and mortar sotres in japan might always sells these at a price like Hasbro's, they states a much higher price that no one japanese ever needs to pay for some reason. But amiami lets you buy them at the same price you'd pay in store, so we arent losing much. The only thing that sucks is that since so many of us are buying from them, their stuff sells out far more quickly than the other outlets charging way more for "reasons".

Cobotron wrote:

SillySpringer wrote:I actually have been tempted to get Cosmos, the original version of the generations mold. And maybe even Swerve.

You should go do that right now Silly. You won't be sorry.

I'll second that! Both are great molds.

Cosmos is a lot of fun and...

Dat stare

Remind you of anyone?

carytheone wrote:

Cobotron wrote:

SillySpringer wrote:I actually have been tempted to get Cosmos, the original version of the generations mold. And maybe even Swerve.

You should go do that right now Silly. You won't be sorry.

I'll second that! Both are great molds.

Cosmos is a lot of fun and...

Dat stare

Remind you of anyone?

That is the face of someone who has seen some ****. Can someone overlay TAV Cos-moss/Adams over some Vietnam footage.

william-james88 wrote:

Rated X wrote:
Well youre photos contridict what others have said on here in the past, not to mention my personal expierence which I mentioned earlier. Im not saying your guy is wrong, Im just saying I saw what I saw and I was there on Japanese soil.


So where can I buy a Takara figure for Hasbro (Miami) prices and have it shipped to Miami at a standard Fedex $7.99 shipping fee ? You seem to have the hook up, right ?

Well, to be fair, most people here were talking about what they know from online and there werent many brick and mortar store prices witnessed. There was yours, there was mine and there was Cobotron's :





You can see, his deluxe cost him 1890 yen in Japan, so 15.76$ US. So while what you saw was probably true, I am more inclined to base myself on the most recent evidence which are my insecticon pics and Cobotron's pics. And those prices are reflected in the online store I buy my takara stuff at.

Speaking of my hookup, below are links for 3 figures (either available or upcoming) for you to get an idea of what they have:

RID Warriors (TAV) Bumblebee for 14.97$ US

MP G2 Bumblebee for 31.92$ US

Leader Generations (Legends) Ultra Magnus for 44.98$ US

At prices like those, I dont bother with Hasbro unless there is a massive discount or I want a figure NOW

The shipping is comparable. Kanrabat had 3 figures ship to him for 8$ US about, he picked the SAL option. I am not familiar with Fedex or their rates since I dont use it, they usually go through formal customs and make me pay more fees.

And you are right there is something screwey. These guys always sell these toys at 30% off the MSRP. And those discounted prices are the same prices seen in the insecticons pics and Cobotron's pics. So it seems that they keep a high MSRP for when selling to retailers (like selling to BBTS at 50% off MRSP) but for local sellers and japanese sellers, they are giving them a much reduced price that would probably be the same as Hasbro's for the same reasons you pointed out. What I mean is that while this site, Amiami, and brick and mortar sotres in japan might always sells these at a price like Hasbro's, they states a much higher price that no one japanese ever needs to pay for some reason. But amiami lets you buy them at the same price you'd pay in store, so we arent losing much. The only thing that sucks is that since so many of us are buying from them, their stuff sells out far more quickly than the other outlets charging way more for "reasons".

You IS talking to a one track mind brickwall friend!

I'd like to also add a clarification to the ignorant. Kanrabat also informed said subject of said issue about the existence of these Japanese online shops but said subject still refuses for reasons unfanthomable.

Online stores like amiami or hobbysearch (I am not including hlj because they only recently started matching the former's prices at around 2 to 3 years ago and their inventory isn't as it was in their hayday)is that they have this agreement with the companies involved to buy in BULK and keep their overhead costs down. Just like in those WareHouse type megagroceries which are cheaper if you buy a box of Kelloggs over a small box. That's simple "capitalism".

Why'd I know? An Amiami contact of mine explained so. There were other details during our discourse that are................."private" but the subject of keeping their online prices was discussed.

william-james88 wrote:

Rated X wrote:
Well youre photos contridict what others have said on here in the past, not to mention my personal expierence which I mentioned earlier. Im not saying your guy is wrong, Im just saying I saw what I saw and I was there on Japanese soil.


So where can I buy a Takara figure for Hasbro (Miami) prices and have it shipped to Miami at a standard Fedex $7.99 shipping fee ? You seem to have the hook up, right ?

Well, to be fair, most people here were talking about what they know from online and there werent many brick and mortar store prices witnessed. There was yours, there was mine and there was Cobotron's :





You can see, his deluxe cost him 1890 yen in Japan, so 15.76$ US. So while what you saw was probably true, I am more inclined to base myself on the most recent evidence which are my insecticon pics and Cobotron's pics. And those prices are reflected in the online store I buy my takara stuff at.

Speaking of my hookup, below are links for 3 figures (either available or upcoming) for you to get an idea of what they have:

RID Warriors (TAV) Bumblebee for 14.97$ US

MP G2 Bumblebee for 31.92$ US

Leader Generations (Legends) Ultra Magnus for 44.98$ US

At prices like those, I dont bother with Hasbro unless there is a massive discount or I want a figure NOW

The shipping is comparable. Kanrabat had 3 figures ship to him for 8$ US about, he picked the SAL option. I am not familiar with Fedex or their rates since I dont use it, they usually go through formal customs and make me pay more fees.

And you are right there is something screwey. These guys always sell these toys at 30% off the MSRP. And those discounted prices are the same prices seen in the insecticons pics and Cobotron's pics. So it seems that they keep a high MSRP for when selling to retailers (like selling to BBTS at 50% off MRSP) but for local sellers and japanese sellers, they are giving them a much reduced price that would probably be the same as Hasbro's for the same reasons you pointed out. What I mean is that while this site, Amiami, and brick and mortar sotres in japan might always sells these at a price like Hasbro's, they states a much higher price that no one japanese ever needs to pay for some reason. But amiami lets you buy them at the same price you'd pay in store, so we arent losing much. The only thing that sucks is that since so many of us are buying from them, their stuff sells out far more quickly than the other outlets charging way more for "reasons".

Thanks for the info. Im a little skeptical about using a site that requires conversions of currency, but I do believe Ill give it a shot in the future. At least theres some english on the website. But I would fear that if that site gets too big, the prices wont stay retail for long. Whatever "reasons" all other online retailers choose to mark up takara stuff, im sure Amiami will find out sooner or later that it works. Hopefully that never happens though. On the flip side, maybe they might ispire other retailers to offer competitive pricing. (Kind of like how metro pcs inspired boost mobile)

Cobotron wrote:

Rated X wrote:"Established" by who ?

By me. Right now.

A good friend of mine just got back from Tokyo yesterday. He was kind enough to do a little hunting for me in Akihabara.


I was surprised that the prices are less that Takara's MSRP which, according to takaratomymall.jp is -
TAV deluxe 2700 yen
Q 1078 yen



1980 yen = $15.76

And BTW, check out my sweet new TAV haul.

Awesome haul ! Im no yen expert and conversiin sites arent really an option now on my cell phone. How much did he pay for that Roadblock ? I paid $25.99 at bbts not counting shipping since I had a huge POL. Im curious as to the exact difference in price.

X,
I have four things on pre-order with Amiami. It's my first try with them. On pre-orders, they can't calculate shipping until the item comes in and they can weigh it. I've chosen the SAL small package option which, according to Fenrir and others is the most economical.

As soon as my first one ships, I'll give you the low down with facts and figures.
I'm in the US BTW.

Out of curiosity, when were you in Japan?
This is kind of a dawning of a new era. For as long as I've been collecting Japanese robots, their prices have never been this low or even this close to on par with US prices. It's actually kind of exciting.

Rated X wrote: How much did he pay for that Roadblock ? I paid $25.99 at bbts not counting shipping since I had a huge POL. Im curious as to the exact difference in price.

$15.76 US greenbacks. Of course there was no shipping because he brought it back with him on the plane. This price is right on par with Amiami.
I don't have these yet 'cause my buddy has to ship them from NY to me. Do you have your Roadblock? How do you like him?

Cobotron wrote:

Rated X wrote: How much did he pay for that Roadblock ? I paid $25.99 at bbts not counting shipping since I had a huge POL. Im curious as to the exact difference in price.

$15.76 US greenbacks. Of course there was no shipping because he brought it back with him on the plane. This price is right on par with Amiami.
I don't have these yet 'cause my buddy has to ship them from NY to me. Do you have your Roadblock? How do you like him?

This is fun. with all this talk of conversions, we are actually staying on TAV topic Cant wait till my amiami order ships at the end of the month, I will let you guys know my shipping costs. And X, if Amiami had more volume, I am certain every other site, especially BBTS would rework their pricing. The fact that all Amiami preorders sell out and that they rarely have stuff in stock and ready to ship gives BBTS the only advantage they have.

william-james88 wrote:

Cobotron wrote:

Rated X wrote: How much did he pay for that Roadblock ? I paid $25.99 at bbts not counting shipping since I had a huge POL. Im curious as to the exact difference in price.

$15.76 US greenbacks. Of course there was no shipping because he brought it back with him on the plane. This price is right on par with Amiami.
I don't have these yet 'cause my buddy has to ship them from NY to me. Do you have your Roadblock? How do you like him?

This is fun. with all this talk of conversions, we are actually staying on TAV topic Cant wait till my amiami order ships at the end of the month, I will let you guys know my shipping costs. And X, if Amiami had more volume, I am certain every other site, especially BBTS would rework their pricing. The fact that all Amiami preorders sell out and that they rarely have stuff in stock and ready to ship gives BBTS the only advantage they have.

To paraphrase Burn..........google it. Simply checking Amiami's site should give X all the info he needs. What's stopping him from checking out the site anyway? Regional ISP blocks?

Fyi, depending on the products but most often than not Amiami limits the sale to at least 3 units a figure. In cases of Bandai's SOC which are waaaaaaaaaaay overpriced (note sarcasm), sale are limited to 1 unit per customer.

As for prices in Japan being this low? Blame it on Shintaro Abe. He raised taxes too high that it's been killing business. Vendors need to do creative practices in order to survive.

As for Amiami and Hobbysearch inspiring other sites to drop their prices, well it already has happened with regards to hlj. The latter has dropped their prices as closed to the former as possible but their site and stock (the lack of it specifically) contents have never been the same since.

crap, the figures, esp the show.

Mr_Autobot411 wrote:crap, the figures, esp the show.

How can you be taken seriously when you "speak" like a broken robot?