in july 2010 the consumer needed to spend up to $49.99 in order to get free shipping from TRU.com then in the late july 2010,the consumer needed to spend $59.99 in order to qualify for free shipping on the TRU.com web site. then in the august 2010,the consumer needed to spend $75 in order to qualify for free shipping on the TRU.com web site. now,in September 2010,the consumer needs to spend $100.00 in order to qualify for free shipping on the TRU.com web site. Geez I thought all these gas increase prices were bad. If TRU.com doesn't lower there amount the consumer needs to spend on TRU.com in order to get free shipping for the christmas buying season. THEN I SEE TONS OF CONSUMERS SHOPPING ELSEWHERE THIS CHRISTMAS BUYING SEASON ON-LINE. At the very least walmart has that site to store option. then walmart offers free shipping or that $2 shipping fees for various items that total under $10 bucks.
It varies throughout the year with them, nothing really new. Kind of makes it a nice selling point when it is lower, but does look bad when it goes the other way. Like any site, search for the deals. I think 50-60% of the stuff I buy on BBTS is on sale, and rarely order from HTS unless they have 20% off or a free shipping code.
TRU increases prices on everything. They actually raised the price for the Hoist/Mixmaster and Demolishor/Twins exclusives two months ago, rather than put them on clearance.
Earlier in the year it was $99 for free shipping. It goes up and down. It's lower in the summer because that's clearance time.
The TRU in my town still has TF Animated voyagers at regular prices. They still have several of the old TF Universe figures like Darkwing at regular prices.
I would have gladly paid 14.99 when i was at my TRU today. Would be nice to find one in person. Still have never seen an arcee either.
Take this as a further justification for not ordering from TRU.com - unless you'd like essentially a 50/50 shot at receiving destroyed packages.