I'm surprised that Hasbro Pulse has not yet shown any indication of carrying this, but if/when they do, they'd be the most appropriate "US retailer" to point to, and I can pretty much guarantee they'd be less than $200 shipped.

 

If people are truly concerned with price accuracy they should be talking about the amount in yen unless they’ve already paid the full amount up front in their local currency.

 

One might even say this thread is a…

Spoiler

train wreck.

 

Considering the animation model, this is like, the one MP that shouldn’t really be getting hate for the backpack. Granted I like designs to be better than the cartoon, but that’s what 3p is for I suppose.

 

There's still an improvement over the 'toon design. This one doesn't parts-form between robot and vehicle modes.

 

Get out

 

I don’t know what “reality you live in. Like other members here have said, and I’ll echo their message, Amazon Japan works just like Amazon in the States.

 

I love you too, buddy.  

 

Too late, the train has left the station.

 

He missed the boat... wait, I’m doing it wrong aren’t I?

 

Amazon in the US ships to more places than Amazon.co.jp.

 

Yet for those in the US complaining about US-based retailer's import prices, AJP works absolutely fine. I've got mine preordered for $144.07 shipped.

 

Hate to be a downer to those US collectors that are buying these from foreign sellers, but how much you end up paying might be more than you think.  It all depends on how well the US economy is next year and whether the US dollar is compared to the yen.  If it tanks like it did in the early 00\'s where the dollar was pretty much dollar for dollar against the yen, you could end up paying over $200 for each figure.  Just keep this in mind. 

 

Or it could go the other way, and we pay less.

Even if it drops down to 100 yen per dollar, I'm still only paying $170, which is still more than a significant price difference than local retailers.

But however, that would be big drop in a short amount of time. The yen has been fairly stagnant against the dollar for many years now, right around 110-ish. And in fact, it's been getting ever so slightly weaker the last few months.

Back when it dropped that dramatically before, there were enough signs to see it happening. And in fact, Japan doesn't want a strong Yen against the dollar, specifically like that time, it significantly impacts their exports, which they rely on.

So no, I dont expect the Yen to get that strong, in such a short amount of time. Not saying it could never happen, but it seems quite unlikely.

 

If I remember correctly, you can also start making payments early on Amazon Japan and that locks in the exchange rate.

 

Yep, theres that too. Good call.

 

Just the chance you take.

 

..and the points, I'm saving mines up for Skyfire or the next obviously expensive release.

 

Yes. I buy gift cards with a cc that gives me points/miles and lock the rate in the meantime.

win/win.

 

Sorry in advance, this post reminded me of this SNL skit: