The Lament

[GoktimusPrime]

At the end of the day, it is about managing risks. If I really want a toy, then I prefer to buy it sooner rather than later. If it's a toy that is lower on my wants list then I'll put it off and accept the risk that I may miss out on it. But we're talking about, really, independents charging marginally above RRP. The max RRP for a Deluxe is $30, so paying say $37 for a Deluxe means $7 above RRP. Unless you're a full time student, this probably isn't going to break your finances. I can afford this, but it means that I get the toy sooner. I expend more money but save time. Others may like to expend some more time if it means saving a bit more money - fine. But you're either spending money or time. Either way there's a trade-off.

There are people who pay WAY above RRP for older toys. This means that you got the toy much later at a much higher price - expending both time and money. There's no trade off here, and IMO this would be a greater source of lament. And I have met a number of collectors who are financially compromising themselves by collecting like this. I recently spoke to someone who admitted to buying an old toy at way above RRP and spent the next month eating Mi Goreng for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are people who admit that they can't afford things like furniture, cars, going out, travelling, rent etc. because of how much they're spending on toys - and these are SINKs! I've even met people who have families who spend beyond their means on toys.

How much people want to spend on toys is up to them, but IMO it ought to be financially sustainable. Yes, I paid independent prices for my POTP, but it hasn't financially affected me. It's something that I can easily afford and saves me time.

[BigTransformerTrev]

There is a Toyworld in Swan Hill, and you know it. I should ask the frizzy haired blonde if they're getting the new stuff, tomorrow. Target should be stocking a full range this year, too.

So? I haven’t lived anywhere near Swan Hill for nearly a year - I don’t even live in that state anymore. You might as well have said "There is a Toys'R'Us in London, England, and you know it" since I used to live there too.

The town I live outside of now makes Swan Hill look like Melbourne in comparison. There is a service station that has a couple of plastic cap guns and that’s it for toys.

But hey, thanks for taking the time to instruct me on what I know.

[Gouki]

Geez so sorry my telepathy failed me, so I didn't realise you had moved when your profile still said Murrawee yesterday. No need to be a dick about it. You knew Target Swan Hill was getting a full range this year did you?

[BigTransformerTrev]

. No need to be a dick about it.

Errr.... you were the one that was quoting me and making it sound like I was full of crap when I said I live in a town with no toy store. I didn't go out of my way to bother you or infer you were being less than honest.

However if my response was too full on I apologize.

You knew Target Swan Hill was getting a full range this year did you?

Besides keeping abreast with developments in my brothers family I have no idea what is going on back in Swan Hill, let alone what their chain stores are stocking.


Edit:

I didn't realise you had moved when your profile still said Murrawee yesterday.

Yes, in retrospect I can see how that could have been misleading. However since I'd talked about how I'd moved so many times on here over the last year I kinda assumed everybody knew, which I shouldn't have. I've changed my local so there will be no further confusions.

[Omega Metro]

I’ve generally just given up with local retail anyway so I don’t bother looking much. I honestly get much more excited to have a LTC or BBTS parcel rock up at my door than waste fuel and time trolloping around Perth looking for an overpriced deluxe or Voyager.