AFAIK...
  • TRU doesn't have any say in which characters Hasbro AP decides to bring over. Also, TRU ultimately set the prices for these toys, not Hasbro. Hasbro are aware that TRU overprices MPs though.

  • I think it's Hasbro HK who decides which toys they want to bring over, and as Hasbro HK and Hasbro AU are both part of Hasbro AP, Hasbro AU are given the opportunity to also distribute these toys. Hasbro then offers these toys to retail buyers, but so far only TRU have picked them up.

  • The majority of more hardcore fans have been pre-ordering their MPs since 2003. However, these toys are more appealing to more casual collectors who aren't into the franchise enough to keep track of these toys and pre-order them. Having said that, when TRU's prices begin to significantly exceed even the post-order price of MPs, then even casual collectors will still go online rather than considering the local prices. I think that $100 for an MP car is the most that TRU can get away with charging, as it's not too much dearer than post-order MPs and on par w/ aftermarket MPs. Although special promotions can bring the price down to that threshold.

  • I agree that this character wouldn't bring out as much nostalgia, however, there may be more nostalgia appeal than with say Star Sabre, as the red Tracks is something that would be familiar to Australian fans due to its appearance on the back of every 1985 diorama art.
    I have explicitly mentioned this in the booklet.


I think that our best bet for seeing more competitive prices for MPs in Australia would be for other retailers to stock these toys. Hasbro are willing to supply them to other retailers, but so far only TRU have placed orders. I spoke to an EB/Zing rep who said that he was personally interested in having them stock MPs, but he admitted that it would ultimately the decision of their retail buyers. So if EB/Zing don't stock them, then it means that their retail buyers have decided to reject his recommendation. If anyone has any contacts with retail buyers from any other stores (e.g. Big W, Kmart etc.), then you might like to talk to them about considering stocking MPs. There is clearly a big demand for these toys, but they sell poorly here due to TRU's high prices. If even one other retailer can sell these at a more competitive price...

Anyway, here's hoping that TRU will release Road Rage at a more competitive price. Although bear in mind that MP Tracks & Road Rage are ￥1000 dearer than other MP Cars in Japan, so it wouldn't be unreasonable for the local price here to be also more expensive (unlike TRU's MP Bluestreak which was just $30 dearer for no apparent reason ). If you purchased MP Tracks/Road Rage at full RRP and shipped it by cheap Standard International, the total price would be ￥7780 or about $90. So I think that $110-120 wouldn't be too bad a mark up. Yes, you would be paying $20~30 more, but you have the advantages of:
* Inspecting the condition of the box in hand
* Able to own the toy immediately upon purchase (who doesn't hate waiting for shipping?)
* Easy exchange/refund of the toy if there are any problems
$120 for a ￥7000 toy isn't much worse than $100 for a ￥6000 toy (which I als admit isn't a fantastic price) -- and certainly more justifiable than paying $130 for MP Bluestreak or $150 for Sideswipe!