Transformers questions by newbies, and not-so-newbies

[GoktimusPrime]

Why does JP packaging tend to be monchrome colours? Is it for cost efficiency? Or is there some other explanation?

The only monochrome Japanese packaging I have are for some limited exclusive items. I imagine it would be for cost efficiency, since those toys are produced in more limited numbers, reducing the cost of packaging would help to keep the price down (re: economies of scale).

[DELTAprime]

The only monochrome Japanese packaging I have are for some limited exclusive items. I imagine it would be for cost efficiency, since those toys are produced in more limited numbers, reducing the cost of packaging would help to keep the price down (re: economies of scale).

I noticed on my Gentei Gentei figures the packaging was the Henkei Henkei except monochrome. That way they could reuse Starscreams packaging for Thundercracker and Skywarp and Cyclonus' packaging for Strafe. I think Ghost Starscream was a new package tho, but I'm not sure.

[Megatran]

Q: There is a Sunstorm packed in a Hasbro Commemorative Starscream packaging. Can anyone shed light on this item? Was it packed by mistake or perhaps a limited edition release? Thanks in advance.

[Sky Shadow]

Q: There is a Sunstorm packed in a Hasbro Commemorative Starscream packaging. Can anyone shed light on this item? Was it packed by mistake or perhaps a limited edition release? Thanks in advance.

Basically it's the first run of eHobby Sunstorm in European packaging. If they weren't 'lunchtime specials' snuck out of a factory, they were either accidents or mockups for the market. There aren't too many in existence, but likewise there's not much demand for them - it's a nice quaint display piece to have. Linthart has one - he'd know as much as anyone:

[GoktimusPrime]

Wow. I never knew that. And I would've sworn that they were fakes if I didn't know better. But now I know!

[davieanix]

And knowing is half the battle!

[Megatran]

So knowledgeable as always good sir. That pic was the origin for my question.

Another question : What's that boxed clear Starscream on the top right hand corner of the same pic? (above boxed Soundwave & Starscream).

Basically it's the first run of eHobby Sunstorm in European packaging. If they weren't 'lunchtime specials' snuck out of a factory, they were either accidents or mockups for the market. There aren't too many in existence, but likewise there's not much demand for them - it's a nice quaint display piece to have. Linthart has one - he'd know as much as anyone:

[DELTAprime]

On the "My account" screen at BBTS is the total of the order including shipping or just the value of the items? Does customs count shipping in the $1000 total?

[Golden Phoenix]

On the "My account" screen at BBTS is the total of the order including shipping or just the value of the items? Does customs count shipping in the $1000 total?

The total on the BBTS My Account screen includes shipping.

The $1000 threshold is only on the goods and does not apply to the shipping costs.

[Sky Shadow]

So knowledgeable as always good sir. That pic was the origin for my question.

Another question : What's that boxed clear Starscream on the top right hand corner of the same pic? (above boxed Soundwave & Starscream).

Thanks! The box is definitely customised, but I'm thinking the toy itself is probably the 'Classics' Starscream mailaway from the 2009 Generations book. It's hard to tell what the scale is, but if it's not that then I'm guessing it would be a knockoff, maybe of Smallest Transforming Starscream or the KO by 'King'.