.Originally Posted by Megatran
TRU pricing is based on Hasbro pricing... and the prices have been rising in all the other Hasbro countries since MP Soundwave. ToysRUs are just one of two chains (with Myer) that are willing to stock expensive collector toys, so they get tagged as the price-gouger. When in reality, if BigW were wanting to start stocking the collector-focused items like Masterpiece and Platinums, they would end up having the same price, because the wholesale price from Hasbro (in all countries) is already high.
Soundwave was probably the last Masterpiece that was cheaper than the Japanese version, and since people keep buying these things (not necessarily long-time fans - more the impulsive adults remembering the toys from their childhood), Hasbro just keeps bumping up prices.
As capitalism goes, it is basic supply and demand - but if they don't sell, they don't reduce prices of future releases, they just don't release anymore.
It's something I will comment on at BotCon to the Hasbro people, but I don't expect anything to change, because Hasbro HK have been leading the way for a few years now with their exclusives, and Hasbro America are now cashing in with theirs.
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