Title says it all.

I've been noticing for at least a few months now that Chosen prime is often $20-$30 more than TF Source (all the funnier since for a while TF Source had a reputation around here for maybe price gouging- true or not, IDK).

First time or two I noticed I figured there'd been a price drop and TF Source had just updated faster, but that wasn't the case.

Chosen Prime has been my domestic retailer of choice for a while (I do buy from BBTS and TF Source from time to time as well). I want to keep supporting them, and generally trust them. But it's tough to stomach putting in a pre order when I can put in the same pre order for so much less across the street (so to speak).

Just wondering what's going on. At some point I mail email Chosen prime and ask.

 

So I haven't placed a full order with tcp but did watch items on the site, typing on tablet, and I noticed some prices were tfsource like aka "list price"....a store that is feeling the inflation itch?

 

Family prices?

 

I've noticed that for a while but found it funny how they never get the flack like tfsource gets.

Although I will say they are still better because they allow you to make payments which surprisingly no one else offers. especially with these things costing so much.

 

The Chosen Prime and Toy Dojo are the most dependable and reliable US retailers in my experience, I've consistently gotten good service and good after-service from both of them. I will use TFSource as a last resort because I think their website is the easiest to use of the three but I've been a victim of price gouging (especially in the beginning when I didnt know any better) and I've gotten worse service from them and had to contact them about being unhappy more than once, and I've never had to do that with TCP or Toy Dojo. But that's why I personally give TFSource grief and not the others.

All that being said, I don't know what you're noticing these price increases on but the last few things I bought from them were not more expensive than TFSource. Those things were: Moon Studio Dark Knight/Icel Land, MP 52 Thundercracker, MP 53 Skids, Fans Toys Chomp, and MP 52 Thundercracker. All of them were less expensive than TFSource, and that goes back to February.

 

I think everything I’ve noticed it in has been 3P.

the current one that has me stalling is the new Drift figure. He’s a must have so I’m inclined to preorder, but he’s about $20 more on TCP- which gave me pause.

I’ll probably still do TCP- but $20 quite a difference.

 

It could also be the lines that you're collecting. As an MP G1 collector, I'm not aware of any Drift figures being released (thought I would love to see characters like Drift and Windblade get a good g1 style MP release).

 

I find it depends on the figure, and that more often TFSource has the higher price initially and then when their stock shelf warms, then they lower it.

Also, probably the multiple times that TFSource got hacked or fraudulently charged people for things they didn’t buy is why people are less willing to give them the benefit of the doubt!  

 

TFsource tends to get more expensive after taxes in my experience so I chock it off that they include the tax prices in the base payment, if my horrible wording gets through....

Btw, my experience is usually Pre orders with Hasbro or DNA design stuff...

 

TCP prices some of their stuff at around 10 to 15 bucks lower than TF Source's price + tax. The way I view it, you are paying tax either way, it's just in the former case, the "tax" goes to the owner's pocket and not to the state.

You want lower prices? Why not just go with any one of the Chinese retailers.

 

I figured it was because they were putting the tax into the price, where TFSource and BBTS hit you with the tax after it goes to cart.

 

I... do not see that. I do see that TFS is much more likely to have regular sales and keep things at sales prices for months. But new prices are usually the same--the new FansHobby bots are both the same price at TFS and TCP.

TCP, I thought, didn't calculate tax because Arizona's sales tax structure is different than Nevada's. Or maybe they've figured out a cheaper way to store plastic figures in a climate that should theoretically melt their entire warehouse.

 

What?! But the TFW2005 boards assured me that TFSource was the devil, charging more and engaging in shadowy backroom deals to force other retailers to raise prices!

 

Because money

 

I think you have been seeing what you want to see in the past. TCP has always had prices similar to TFSource. Maybe a few dollars cheaper in the past but almost always the same price. Lately, they are occasionally more. At least for the products I buy. I suspect that this is due to recent inflation and logistical issues (having to pay more for shipping and now having to pay additional tariffs and such. politics sucks) as TCP is a smaller retail store and and is probably feeling more of a pinch where as TFSource is much larger and seems to be absorbing at least a small amount of cost lately. That probably won't last.

After sales tax (which unfortunately FL now forces all online retailers to charge), Shipping (which TFSource offers for free over $150 which is pretty easy to hit and they will hold your stack nearly indefinably if you like to wait. I haven't paid for shipping from them in over a decade), Not having to pay for "collector grade" which TCP charges extra... sometimes A LOT extra (everything ordered from TFSource is automatically collector grade if available per policy and I have always gotten pristine individually wrapped items), TFSource is usually cheaper by a decent amount for a domestic retailer. Then there are source points. I have gotten completely free MP figures from TFSource as a result.

As for customer service, I do not know about TCP. It is fairly rare for me to get anything defective and I don't order form TCP often, so the odds have been low. I have no idea why TFSource gets such a rag for bad CS as I've never seen it. On the occasion when I have gotten something with even a minor defect via TFSource, they have always helped me quickly and without question. Example: I recently received MP- 52 Skywarp and one of the blasters was warped. I sent them an email and photo and within 24hr I had a reply that the were sending me a replacement part. No charge. Not even for shipping. I received the replacement via priority USPS 3 days later. Done. Another example: Back with the FT Thomas first release, there were issues with the knees having the wrong parts. I got a personal call from them to help me sort out a solution ultimately ending with a full replacement which I received a few days later, in good faith even before I shipped the defective one back. I'm sure they would have billed me if I never sent the defective one back but they still... They have always treated me very well.

One thing I can concede as a negative on TFSource is the price gouging that is going on. They are not alone though. I am seeing it more and more from the likes of BBTS, Toydojo and, yes, even TCP. Excessive mark ups on premium items way beyond import prices. Another practice I have seen TFSource do that I really find despicable is the price hike just after release of a new item. An item is one price for preorder which is fine if you have a preorder. But, the day they get it in stock, they raise the price $10-20. This rarely effects me because I get in my preorders, but I see it all the time now. Mostly on high end (often high demand) lines and it is disgusting.

I think that there are pluses and minuses to any retailer. TCP probably has fewer minuses than most. But, It has been a long time since they have been a cheaper domestic option. At least for me.

 

To me, all the U.S. retailers' legends stuff is overpriced. Other than that stuff, TCP / Toydojo usually gets my business.

 

Legends stuff is overpriced across the board no matter whom you buy from. $60-80 for a 4 in figure? (heavily generalizing)

 

I preordered the entirety of the G2 MMC Bruticus from BBTS over TCP because across the board they were cheaper by about $10 per limb and $20 for the body

 

Legends straight pricing me out. The value isn't remotely there. As for TCP, I assume they are simply passing along increased shipping costs to get product over the pond onto the customer. It's kind of the early stock price lots of times, as both Toy Dojo and them can often get product weeks before competing retailers.

 

I think the answer is it depends on the item and "reasons". Perhaps retailers have been feeling a pinch since the 'Rona and just eek more where they think they can? This is purely speculation, but does make sense and is nothing any of us want to hear.

Regarding sales tax, this depends on the state you live in, not the retailer in most cases now. You can thank your individual state reps. for this as they have been rewriting federal tax law for their own benefit, then agreeing with themselves that they can. The way it's been working is a retailer has to hit a dollar threshold in business within your state before they collect sales tax. Your state now considers that EXACTLY the same as a physical location, which defies all logic and reasoning.

But to answer some of the specific questions regarding TCP: Yes they do offer free shipping, yes they do have a point reward system, and I've received nothing but stellar service from them.

Regarding TFS sales, one thing I have noticed (even just the other day) was their "regular" price was inflated above normal so they could mark it "down", sometimes still above what the initial release price was.