You'd think most of the people complaining about the price of this figure don't own MP-44?

 

 

I did the same. Canceled my order baba, I just can't risk the possibility of those shipping costs, which might be even higher in the future for all I know.

 

Pretty happy with my IT OP... and I kept the trailer from MP-10 and sold off the bot.

 

Still hovering on the Pre-order button...

 

Same here. Except I pre-ordered on eBay, he noticed and refunded me my website deposit.

My rationale for all this is, Thomas will be likely awesome. He may get reissued. Even if he does, it’s probably only once and after that his value goes up.

Heck, Hoodlum was a hot mess and his value is still increasing.

 

I said 'most'!

 

The word you are looking for is investment.

 

Yep, i'm investing in FT figures now.
That's why i have my second Malverick today.
Got him for 170 usd, which is the normal price.
He can go 200 easy this year.
Maybe 250 next year already.
Waiting for my money hurts more then waiting for packages.  

 

That comparison is absolutely necessary for answering the question of Who, as in, who is raising the price. Not the question of Why the prices are going up. Berserk is the nearest comparison to Thomas and it gives us a window into what FT was soliciting a very similar figure for a couple years ago vs today. It is from the same manufacturer, is based on a character from the same generation (G1), the same type (triplechanger), the same toy wave (wave 1), and the same faction (Decepticons). You practically can't get closer than that for making an apples-to-apples comparison of Thomas to another figure from the past. And what it helps make clear, when you know the "wholesale" or acquisition price for both, is that the majority of the price increase is coming from FT, regardless of how they're couching it, while retailers are keeping their margin percentage from product to product fairly consistent, plus a little bump from some retailers on Thomas to help cover the increase in shipping costs to the customer (comparing BBTS price to the others like TFS, TCP, TD that are a little higher). The freight cost is part of FT's price increase but it does not account for a ~40% increase in the overall price of the product.

 

People need to account for how companies aren't our friends, they are a business. The sad truth is part of the large increase isn't purely because of external forces, its because they want money. I know shocker, but businesses want your money.

 

BUT IT'S NOT FAIR!!!

 

Meanwhile, while everyone is arguing over price differences between Thomas and Berserk, there are lunatics paying $150 plus postage for a Fanstoys box...


I'm guessing soon we'll be seeing those completely redundant QC Pass stickers going for $70 a piece. Maybe higher numbers for rarer QC numbers.

I don't understand the FT secondary market at all. IF FT and/or the retailers are price gouging, then there's little wonder why.

 

The ridiculous FT fanboys are the ones to blame for that... Who in their right mind would buy an empty box?

 

That's insane..

 

Well I can see someone buying an empty box to complete a figure or to replace their own damaged box but not for that kind of money.

 

Show me a completed auction.

 

I just as a person can't pay $200+ for a 9 inch figure, it just sounds like a waste to me....Like this figure looks beautiful, best astrotrain hands down, but the price is a no can do.

The real shame with FT's hardcore fanboys and how they inflate the market is I can't give FT a second chance on figures. I sold one-off and recently thought "maybe I'll give it another shot." I then looked up its price and decided its better to just consider the figure bad than pay that much for it.

 

Until someone buys it, it doesn't count. You can list things for sale for whatever price you want. Look at Sold listings instead.

Probably someone who already overpaid for the figure without a box. 

 

well, thing is if everyone lists at that price, it becomes the price. even without sales. its dumb, but true.

 

No, it capitalism.