Quote Originally Posted by griffin View Post
Lastly, United Gen2 Optimus - This is likely to be a TakaraTomy re-release, like United Rodimus (before the Targetmaster version came out)... mostly to respond to the demand created by a 3rd party accessory (the tanker trailer) that made it impossible for collectors to find or buy the actual toy at a reasonable price. (like Henkei Wildrider/SG Rodimus)
3rd party items may drive up the sales of this second run, but a lot of collectors were forced to pay scalper prices of this toy because a re-release was not expected or guaranteed.
This item is said to be re-released later this month.
I didn't pay scalper prices for this mold, I bought it locally after it peg warmed for ages. The United release was also available for some time as I remember looking at it at robot kingdom for a couple of months trying to convince myself if it was worth buying after having the Hasbro release.

Battle Tanker may have driven the cost of this toy in the after market but not much more than regular United toys (with no upgrade) go up after selling out on initial release, plus it was certainly available for some time before that happened.