I didn't get into Transformers until the first live-action film came out, so I can't really be faulted for not having bought Classics Optimus Prime back then. I will say however, that one of the biggest mistakes I've ever made as a Transformers fan is not buying Revenge of the Fallen Leader Class Optimus Prime when I had the chance. I could still technically buy him now...but that would mean forking over four times his original price to get him. I don't understand why Hasbro doesn't decide to reissue Classics Optimus Prime, which hasn't been on the shelves for almost a decade, letalone Revenge of the Fallen Optimus Prime. It really kinda angers me considering how they've designed and produce multiple Bumblebee figures, yet when it comes to producing more toys from one mold, it's too much apparently. Especially considering how crappy Transformers figures have been getting lately. At least anything non-Generations.
Well, you can get the Classics mold for only twice what it originally cost (plus shipping), with an extra figure included: Transformers Age of Extinction Optimus Prime Evolution 2-Pack
Most calls for reissues involve G1-era stuff, so any re-release of post G1/G2 era molds is chalked up to randomness and chance. It's possible, as mentioned above, that RotF Leader Optimus could show up again as a Platinum Edition and/or "Year of the ___" release (since those releases have been filled with random molds being selected), but so could a bunch of other molds. It'd be convenient for those that missed out if Hasbro/Takara paid attention to the secondary market and re-released certain figures somehow to make them more plentiful, but it's not something I feel they're obligated to do and would never expect of them (they don't appear to do it for G1, I don't see why any other line would be any different).
I'm not a collector, I just really like Optimus Prime and yearn for those two figures because of how cool they look. My "collection" consists of the Marvel Legends Amazing Spider-Man 2 figure from last year, a Tail Attack Lizard from when Toy Biz was still making Marvel toys, a New 52 Batman figurine, DOTM Cyberverse Preview Optimus Prime...and that's about it. I gave away a whole bunch of my toys a couple of years ago cause I had no room for them.
Ahhh, well in the case of you not being a collector....that's understandable. If I want something (toy wise), I buy it regardless of the price. Check ebay though my man, you can prolly find a Henkei Prime (which is the better deco) for a decent price I would think....well, I mean it depends on what your ballpark for spending is.
If you want certain figures below their typical going rate, it can be done. You just have to be very persistent and very patient. Sometimes it can take a very long time to find a deal, but it happens if you put the effort in. 1.Check ebay new listings and ending listings every day - multiple times a day if you can. Pay attention to people offering a bunch of toys in a lot, they're the least likely to have priced out the figures or to know what they have. 2.Check the sales threads here and other fan sites. If you're persistent and diligent, you'll often find people that price something low because they need to sell it fast, and those sales don't stay up for long. 3.Watch craigslist, especially for large lots of toys that may have something you want. This is also good for finding something you want lumped in with a lot of other toys for cheap. 4.Find vintage/used toy stores in your area and go through their bins - they tend to throw recent (non-80's/90's) toys in there and sometimes don't bother to ID them. 5.Go to local toy and comic shows/conventions - dealers have bins full of stuff to dig through 6.Check Goodwill/Salvation Army/thrift stores for toys that have been donated - sometimes they get good stuff from parents cleaning out, and they're always going to be cheap. 7.Go to flea markets and garage sales 8.Get good at all of the above and you'll spot deals on other stuff that you can flip, and then you'll have enough money to pay the going rate.
How about reissues of original G1 figures (yes i know the insecticons and coneheads are coming out soon). I jumped back into collecting after the wave of G1 reissues several years ago. Would love to see some major G1 characters again reissued
Garage sales, Flea Markets(not collector stores), and Goodwill are definitely great places to get good stuff at cheap prices. To the original poster, I know it's not leader class, but Takara's Lost Age (Age of Extinction) line has AD-12 Revenge Optimus which is a reissue of the voyager class ROTF Prime and IIRC, it's just a smaller version of the leader class release.
