Optimizzy wrote:
Sometimes. If we are lucky. Not always though and usually it isn't. I'm talking about SRP though. And honestly, I think the idea that costs would be different in Japan is hard to trust. All the toys are made in China or Vietnam. If anything wouldn't it be more expensive to have them shipped to the states?
Well for the talk of the extra cost due to importing, this below comes straight from BBTS for their alternity line listing:
Please Note: These items are bought at retail in Japan and marked up before being sold to us - the price is high for an Alternity, but it is the only option.
Also, in terms of price, another example of Hasbro and Takara being the same is the price of some Masterpieces. The asia exclusive MP 10 was just a few dollars cheaper than the upcoming Takara reissue. And the Hasbro Datsun Mastepiece toys were even more expensive than the Takara versions and we know for sure that import does not factor even if it might simply be a myth in the other cases.