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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! , 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!

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.

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.

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....

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! 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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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?

PrymeStriker wrote:

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.

it's all good, that's your thing!

This is exactly the reason I'm selling a huge chunk of my collection. The quality and availability just isnt there anymore. As if the price at walmart werent bad enough the stores in my area arent even carrying the deluxes or voyagers anymore for Prime. All you find are the FOC toys and i'm not too impressed with them. Kmart and TRU can't move their product thus they never get restocked with newer toys. I remember when deluxes were 9.99 you had to rush to the store so no one else would get the one you needed.

It Is Him wrote:Also, the likelihood of me paying $17 at retail is extremely low. Just because I can quantify where the number is coming, doesn't mean I have to go along with it.

This has been one of the most frustrating things I've seen in the fandom since the 07 movie, this crazy idea that because a thing can somehow be 'justified' or explained, it is by default acceptable.
Don't like Bayformers? Well, YOU'RE wrong because get with the times.
Don't like obviously smaller toys at the same price? Well, YOU'RE wrong because of part counts and plastic weights.
Don't like what a figure looks like? Well, YOU'RE wrong because Hasbro doesn't care about fans, only 10% of sales, piss piss piss.
Don't want to pay $17 bucks for an obviously small deluxe? Well,....

You are ABSOLUTELY correct. It does not matter to me in the slightest bit if the price increase is due to oil or transportation costs or whatever. People can choose to justify it in any way they wish. It doesn't matter. The ultimate thing comes down to whether or not I'm going to pay for it, be it these tiny deluxes or movieverse figures or Botshots or whatever. IF I don't want to pay for it, no amount of explaining why is going to make any difference.
That goes whether it's retailers or Hasbro or whoever is behind this price hike.

All that aside, things like this make me both happy that I'm only on the hunt for a few TFs from any of the recent lines, and makes me reconsider whether or not I'm actually interested in any of them at these prices. I'd really like a set of combaticons, but based on all the bad stuff I've heard about them I'm not sure I'm willing to take the 17$ a piece gamble.

The price wouldn't be a major issue for me if the quality of the toys was still good. You take a ROTF toy (regardless of the style, many of them were very well-made) and put it next too one of the flimsy TP deluxes and you get sad fast.

I didn't mind paying $35 for a first-edition cliffjumper, because he ended up being awesome.

You have to be more selective, yes, but I guess what I'm saying is... I'd rather have one very good toy instead of three crappy ones... but what I really really want is the characters I like from the show to be cool toys. Not what you get with Knock Out or Airachnid.

Evil_the_Nub wrote: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.

It's all Michael Bay's fault for not putting Cliffjumper in the movie. Then they kill him off in Prime. This has caused the crucial but small Cliffjumper fan base to stop collecting.

Seriously though I kinda wonder if the price hike is artificial just to see how much people are willing to pay for the toys. Although I know the real reason is the price of plastic and oil has increased thus toy prices increase.

I wonder if they relaxed on the plastic in the packaging, maybe just put them in a cardboard box a la G1, or blister card with bubble no vacuum formed insert, G1 would that offset the prices?