New Transformers Deluxe Price For Wal*Mart - Page 2 - Cybertron.CA - Canadian Transformers News and Discussion

Omega.Prime · 01-30-2009, 07:15 PM

This comes right on time for the new movie toys coming up too... Great marketing move, this gives customers a few months to mull the price increase over and forget about it once the new toys hit. That's a pretty big cash grab for them since they know the movie figures did so well. Cha-ching!

Team Jetfire · 01-31-2009, 06:06 PM

This has been coming for a while. The price increase has very little to do with the current market conditions, but more a result of PAST Oil prices and increases in production and shipping costs.

From what I understand Hasbro sets a MSRP and from there, the individual retailers can set the price. Because Wal-Mart is so huge, they likely can buy each figure for cheaper then the other stores and could have passed any saving on to the customers.

But, given that in the past few years the cost of production went up, it could stand to reason that Either Hasbro has to increase the MSRP, or Wal-Mart had to increase the prices to recoup on slowing sales...

Besides WTF are the Americans complaining about? They have paid 7 bucks for these things for the last 6 months...

Whisky Tango Foxtrot · 01-31-2009, 07:25 PM

Thing is, up till now Deluxes had been the same price since Beast Wars. They were due for a hike.

Hopefully now Hasbro'll be able to afford some decent QC.

onecoin · 02-01-2009, 04:14 AM

QC? If you want decent QC they'll have to move the plants out of China. I doubt an employee paid 8 bucks to paint 10000 pieces a day gives a shit.

QuadESL63 · 02-01-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onecoin

QC? If you want decent QC they'll have to move the plants out of China. I doubt an employee paid 8 bucks to paint 10000 pieces a day gives a shit.

It has everything to do with price point because good QC cost money. Although in this case I highly doubt that a raise in a few bucks will do anything to improve the quality.

CobraCommander · 02-01-2009, 01:33 PM

My guess on the Marketing approach taken...

1) Profit on higher demand lower volume
Jack up the prices to sell at a higher price point for the initial release of toys to coincide with the new movie in hopes that desperate fans/spoiled kids will buy early with less product on the shelves.

2) Profit on higher volume lower price
After the rush, let's say 2/3 months after the movie, drop the prices to cater to the volume market.