The WalMart MP Starscream Decision: buy inflated or wait?

[Goaliebot]

Loved it the moment I saw it.

Cried when we learned us Canucks were getting the shaft... AGAIN.

Searched and searched over New Years when I was in Florida... to no avail.

Am on the "want list" over on TFW2005, but it is getting loooooong and I'm way down there.

So... here's the decision. Do I give in to the dark side and pay a scalper for one?

On evilBay I can find Buy-It-Nows for as cheap as $85 shipped to Canada via USPS. So I could get him for basically $30 over US retail. $15 profit to a scalper, $15 to the USPS.

It grinds my gears to buy anything from a scalper, but in this case... is there really a choice? I'm watching the FS threads here and other places, but he doesn't seem to ever go for less than $80 or more when shipped.

Is he worth $80? I only paid $60 for MP Prime...

Is he going to get rarer? Stories seem to indicate he's gotten impossible to find in the US... are we likely to see thousands more stock the shelves, or is that it and he's done his retail run?

Of course, if I do buy him from eBay, we will quickly afterwards hear he IS coming to Canada. Murphy's Law. But you know, I'd be an unsung hero to fellow Canadian TF collectors in that case.

Decisions, decisions...

Thoughts?

[JaySmith]

I'd personally just wait, as once the Japanese version gets released the American versions price should technically drop.

[Pascal]

Sometimes you have to pay what something is worth. Clearance sales and too-good-to-be-true deals are not a human right.

[soundwaveCA]

Originally Posted by JaySmith

I'd personally just wait, as once the Japanese version gets released the American versions price should technically drop.

Considering the Japanese one is $100+ I would't bank on it.

[hugh_da_man]

I got mine for $75 shipped off ebay. You just have to keep watching.

[GMfan]

If you wait long enough for any transformer you can get it for or below retail. If you don't want the box look for a loose complete one you'll usually get a good deal that way.

[rid]

Originally Posted by GMfan101

If you wait long enough for any transformer you can get it for or below retail.

So how much more do I have to wait until Alt Swerve goes below retail?

Seriously though, I agree (on most toys). If it's not a limited release, it will go down in price eventually. But I think this one will be one of the few exceptions. Just like alt swerve or cybertron Leo Breaker etc.

On the other hand, some are worth full price (or even higher). I paid more for Hasbro's SS because I know there isn't any chance we'd see it up here, north of the border. And honestly, I doubt you'll ever see this one go down in price.

just my $0.02

[GMfan]

Actually I've seen both of those items for less the suggested retail, picked up leobreaker when I did but passed on alt swerve AND shockblast because of multiple reasons. Not much spending cash at the time, didn't really like swerve to begin with (had Tracks aready), didn't like shockwave as a car....looking back I probably should have got those.

[EnragedCoconut]

I bit the bullet and bought him off of BBTS. Can't remember what I paid but with shipping and customs it was alot.

Was he worth it? Yes!

EC

[-KG-]

I have a funny feeling he'll show up at Square One Wal-Mart and only there...