But that's us here, who are being shafted with the prices... but I don't see redecos making toys cheaper, it just offsets a necessary price rise due to rising costs of production or weakening exchange rate.
If there really is any cost saving for hasbro to do redecos, imagine how much more expensive the toys would be here if they didn't do redecos.

I'd imagine that the only way to know for sure is being on the Hasbro board, or accessing their corporate archives, to know the reasons for redecos... so is all just guesses from me.

I did have a look at some figures though, to see how price has compared to inflation. Compared to inflation of about 34% in America since 1996, the rising cost of primary resources and fluctuating US$, a Deluxe class figure has (only) gone up 20% in that same time in America.
It's more difficult to assess that for us though with Hasbro America dictating our prices and everything being paid for in US$ before stock arrives in Australia, but Deluxe prices for us were at $20 during Beast Wars, went up to about $30 a few years back, and is now sitting at $25-30 at the major stores.