BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early

Friday, May 15th, 2015 3:07PM CDT

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Good news folks! It looks like Site Sponsor BBTS has gotten an early shipment of the highly anticipated Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early! Combiner Wars ULtra Magnus is due to be released here in the US in June. Please be aware though this is only a partial shipment and BBTS ships in the order of when you put in your preorders, so I'm sure there are plenty of people with preorders out there that is telling me I'm lying. I've attached a picture of my POL for everyone to see! Hopefully this means that he will be instock everyone sooner then you expected as well!

Keep your optics tuned to Seibertron.com for the latest in news and updates!

Credit(s): BBTS, Mooncake623, Optimizzy

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Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686038)
Posted by Agamemnon on May 15th, 2015 @ 3:08pm CDT

And I'll post a pic of the box early next week...

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686040)
Posted by mooncake623 on May 15th, 2015 @ 3:11pm CDT

william-james88 wrote:
mooncake623 wrote:
Also I can't believe I'm going to pay the same thing for Hasbro Magnus (46.99@BBTS) and Takara Magnus(47.35@ amiami).

So your getting both? And yeah, with those prices, BBTS should hopefully start giving discounts on preorders as well, or little bonuses (like with videogames) because at this rate, fans are savy enough to shift towards cheaper venues. I am certain they have already lost some sales over this. The only thing they have in their favor is that the Hasbro product gets released before Takara's. If it wasnt for that, I believe their whole business model in regards to tf toys, would be put back in question.

Yea I'm getting both WillyJ! Takara version with minimus for my IDW classics shelf, And Hasbro version for my season 3 G1 classics shelf. I'll put the little alpha Trion with Generations Metroplex.

I agree if Takara's product are released first I would've skipped a lot of Hasbro releases.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686052)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 15th, 2015 @ 3:41pm CDT

mooncake623 wrote: I'll put the little alpha Trion with Generations Metroplex.

Kawai Alphatrion-kun will be so sugoi with Metroplex-sama, desu!

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686087)
Posted by Mkall on May 15th, 2015 @ 5:56pm CDT

Still too much money for just a Minimus Ambus figure

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686098)
Posted by Optimizzy on May 15th, 2015 @ 6:44pm CDT

Mkall wrote:Still too much money for just a Minimus Ambus figure

You know, if Japanese prices were more comparable in retail I would actually say get Takara and Hasbro and sell the Hasbro. But I mean, I hate the mark up TT does for some paint apps. Yeah they do look better and for deluxes I dont mind paying $10 more for awesome decos...but leader class that are almost $30 more? nah.

Same thing with cloud releases. Those guys looked great but twice (sometimes 3 times) the price of the original mold? No thanks.

Anyway, my Magnus is paid for. Now I just have to decide if I want to wait for the CW Megatron upgrade kit or go ahead and ship magnus. Any opinions? Anyone know how long the dx-9 upgrade will be released?

EDIT: Just saw the post about the similar price at Amiami...going to check that out..

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686101)
Posted by Optimizzy on May 15th, 2015 @ 6:51pm CDT

wow that checks out. whats the shipping like on that place?

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686103)
Posted by Cobotron on May 15th, 2015 @ 6:55pm CDT

Optimizzy wrote:wow that checks out. whats the shipping like on that place?

No idea untill it comes in. I've heard good things about SAL though. I'm taking the risk.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686104)
Posted by fenrir72 on May 15th, 2015 @ 7:03pm CDT

Cobotron wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:wow that checks out. whats the shipping like on that place?
No idea untill it comes in. I've heard good things about SAL though. I'm taking the risk.

Just take the registered sal Cobster. Gives you a bit of peace of mind.

And, aside from the sort of mechanical cold customer support responses from amiami, I can vouch for them and products. For the last 6 years I've ordered from them, only cancellation I got was for the second run of TFGo Shinobi lion. The cancelled my too an late order probably because Tomy didn't decide to go through with a second run.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686107)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 15th, 2015 @ 7:13pm CDT

Optimizzy wrote:
Mkall wrote:Still too much money for just a Minimus Ambus figure

You know, if Japanese prices were more comparable in retail I would actually say get Takara and Hasbro and sell the Hasbro. But I mean, I hate the mark up TT does for some paint apps. Yeah they do look better and for deluxes I dont mind paying $10 more for awesome decos...but leader class that are almost $30 more? nah.

Paying 10$ more for a deluxe, or 30$ more for a leader ammount to paying 50% more. It's the same thing. Still, it may look bigger for you Americans.

For me, and most Canadians, deluxes are 20$ and Leaders are 60$. Both plus around 15% taxes. Getting the Takara releases, especially at Amiami prices, ammount to barely a few bucks above what I would pay locally at full price plus taxes. And that's shipping included!

So, for me, there will be only 3 reasons to order Hasbro above Takara. In case of a sale, if I don't want to wait, or if I prefer the Hasbro deco.
For any other reasons, I will priorize Takara.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686109)
Posted by Cobotron on May 15th, 2015 @ 7:27pm CDT

fenrir72 wrote:Just take the registered sal Cobster. Gives you a bit of peace of mind.

That's exactly what I chose. Thanks for the advice Fenster!

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686134)
Posted by prjkt on May 15th, 2015 @ 9:12pm CDT

No Magnus from BBTS for me yet, kind of a good thing as I've got no money this week (damn surprise bills)

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686158)
Posted by SKYWARPED_128 on May 15th, 2015 @ 10:01pm CDT

-Kanrabat- wrote:
shajaki wrote:
Ironhidensh wrote:Yeah, I'm going Takara as well. For the painted rims if nothing else.
Unpainted rims are on of my biggest pet peeves.

YEah, too many Transformers are in a serious need of a good rim job.

I see what you did there, sir.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686166)
Posted by DedicatedGhostArt on May 15th, 2015 @ 10:09pm CDT

I think this mold actually looks better as Starscream than Thundercracker.
:-?

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686188)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 15th, 2015 @ 11:01pm CDT

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:
shajaki wrote:
Ironhidensh wrote:Yeah, I'm going Takara as well. For the painted rims if nothing else.
Unpainted rims are on of my biggest pet peeves.

YEah, too many Transformers are in a serious need of a good rim job.

I see what you did there, sir.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686190)
Posted by LOST Cybertronian on May 15th, 2015 @ 11:32pm CDT

-Kanrabat- wrote:
shajaki wrote:
Ironhidensh wrote:Yeah, I'm going Takara as well. For the painted rims if nothing else.
Unpainted rims are on of my biggest pet peeves.

YEah, too many Transformers are in a serious need of a good rim job.

sig'd

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686313)
Posted by skywarp23 on May 16th, 2015 @ 12:15pm CDT

I'm fairly certain I was among some of the first to pre-order Magnus. But to find out on a Friday evening that only a few came in. Now I have to wait until Monday to know if I'm one of the lucky ones. Lol.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686424)
Posted by william-james88 on May 16th, 2015 @ 5:27pm CDT

You know, I just bought some more stunticons and noticed that their hubcaps were painted. I realized that it was something I always thought I would get since it never dawned on me that there would be a day when you wouldnt get that. Well, it seems like Hasbro chose Leader Magnus to be the toy to let go of that basic feature and its just one more reason to go with Takara. I mean come on, the DELUXES have painted hubcaps!

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686432)
Posted by Rated X on May 16th, 2015 @ 5:44pm CDT

-Kanrabat- wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:
Mkall wrote:Still too much money for just a Minimus Ambus figure

You know, if Japanese prices were more comparable in retail I would actually say get Takara and Hasbro and sell the Hasbro. But I mean, I hate the mark up TT does for some paint apps. Yeah they do look better and for deluxes I dont mind paying $10 more for awesome decos...but leader class that are almost $30 more? nah.

Paying 10$ more for a deluxe, or 30$ more for a leader ammount to paying 50% more. It's the same thing. Still, it may look bigger for you Americans.

No its not the same thing. This is not a math thing. Its a price gouging thing. Its clearly about how much more money can Takara justify adding to the price for a few extra swipes of paint. If $10 is the cost, then Takara UM should only cost $55. And if $30 is the cost, than every takara deluxe figure should cost $45. The few extra swipes of paint only have one cost to the factory no matter how big a piece of plastic they are painted on.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686436)
Posted by william-james88 on May 16th, 2015 @ 5:51pm CDT

Rated X wrote:
No its not the same thing. This is not a math thing. Its a price gouging thing. Its clearly about how much more money can Takara justify adding to the price for a few extra swipes of paint. If $10 is the cost, then Takara UM should only cost $55. And if $30 is the cost, than every takara deluxe figure should cost $45. The few extra swipes of paint only have one cost to the factory no matter how big a piece of plastic they are painted on.

But doesnt a bigger figure get more extra paint? And last time I checked, paint is a variable cost, not a fixed cost since it<s cost is dependent on how much is used. In any case, both prices are the very same right now so this is a non issue. You are technically getting less for the same amount by buying the hasbro version.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686479)
Posted by Optimizzy on May 16th, 2015 @ 6:51pm CDT

william-james88 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
No its not the same thing. This is not a math thing. Its a price gouging thing. Its clearly about how much more money can Takara justify adding to the price for a few extra swipes of paint. If $10 is the cost, then Takara UM should only cost $55. And if $30 is the cost, than every takara deluxe figure should cost $45. The few extra swipes of paint only have one cost to the factory no matter how big a piece of plastic they are painted on.

But doesnt a bigger figure get more extra paint? And last time I checked, paint is a variable cost, not a fixed cost since it<s cost is dependent on how much is used. In any case, both prices are the very same right now so this is a non issue. You are technically getting less for the same amount by buying the hasbro version.

Huh. Am I agreeing with Rated X? Dang. I guess I am. Yeah it's a variable cost but when they budget the cost to produce then (so they can make a suitable profit) it should be a standard amount. The difference of $10 and 30 is very suspect if you think of it. Far better is to argue that gang molded parts of different plastic would be were the true cost is going. However, I do think Takara takes a little more advantage of their consumer base with their prices. Cloud releases are a good example. Sometimes they are not so bad, other times it's outrageous.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686484)
Posted by Optimizzy on May 16th, 2015 @ 7:00pm CDT

Side note: went to Walmart, all wave 2 deluxe and legends are marked down on clearance. Meanwhile they have about 30 AoE one steps and 15 power battlers. What surprised me was that they had some generations legends and deluxes from last year that were full price. They just got it and put it on clearance?

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686485)
Posted by Rated X on May 16th, 2015 @ 7:03pm CDT

william-james88 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
No its not the same thing. This is not a math thing. Its a price gouging thing. Its clearly about how much more money can Takara justify adding to the price for a few extra swipes of paint. If $10 is the cost, then Takara UM should only cost $55. And if $30 is the cost, than every takara deluxe figure should cost $45. The few extra swipes of paint only have one cost to the factory no matter how big a piece of plastic they are painted on.

But doesnt a bigger figure get more extra paint? And last time I checked, paint is a variable cost, not a fixed cost since it<s cost is dependent on how much is used. In any case, both prices are the very same right now so this is a non issue. You are technically getting less for the same amount by buying the hasbro version.

Exactly how much do you think paint costs ? Does 2 ounces of paint really cost $30 more than 1 ounce of paint ? :BANG_HEAD:

Since you seem to agree that this is a math thing, try doing the math. 30 bucks for an extra ounce of paint is super suspect...

I dont even know the exact price of the takara version. Im buying the Hasbro version because I want the cartoon accurate white thighs. What bothers me is that hasbro couldnt shed an extra 25 cents worth of paint to do the rims. Plenty of $15 hasbro deluxes have painted rims. It wouldnt have bankrupted them to paint rims on a $45 figure.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686491)
Posted by fenrir72 on May 16th, 2015 @ 7:10pm CDT

Rated X wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:
Mkall wrote:Still too much money for just a Minimus Ambus figure

You know, if Japanese prices were more comparable in retail I would actually say get Takara and Hasbro and sell the Hasbro. But I mean, I hate the mark up TT does for some paint apps. Yeah they do look better and for deluxes I dont mind paying $10 more for awesome decos...but leader class that are almost $30 more? nah.

Paying 10$ more for a deluxe, or 30$ more for a leader ammount to paying 50% more. It's the same thing. Still, it may look bigger for you Americans.

No its not the same thing. This is not a math thing. Its a price gouging thing. Its clearly about how much more money can Takara justify adding to the price for a few extra swipes of paint. If $10 is the cost, then Takara UM should only cost $55. And if $30 is the cost, than every takara deluxe figure should cost $45. The few extra swipes of paint only have one cost to the factory no matter how big a piece of plastic they are painted on.

Engaging subject. But to put it simply......everything in Japan costs higher. Using as analogy, in the USA, a 12 episode BD compilation of lets say Samurai Girls/Fate StayNight would cost you $ 60.00. In Japan, thats just (1) episode/disc. They really do jack up the prices with all the bling that comes with it.

You also have to contend with packaging. Different fonts. Different instruction manuals plus those sales gimmicks where you scan the codes. That comes as extra cost for the advertisement sales gimmicks.

The extra apps also entail reassignment of painting resources. Now, it's more complicated with the programming of computer controlled resources. Of course, you add more paint. More paint......extra cost.

But it's done on the same plant? Yes it is but the product is programmed for a different market. Tomy isn't even considering the overseas market for their product. Iirc, in one of TFYuki tweets or was it in a Hobby magazine, the designers mentioned the foreign market as an after though when they repurposed Slingshot from another mold instead of A-B. So no huffing and puffing will ever get the prices to be at par with the USA domestic release.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686505)
Posted by william-james88 on May 16th, 2015 @ 7:51pm CDT

And its not just the costs of paint but of painting it and applying it (however they do so) which is linearly related to the paint applications. But regardless, its a non issue, because the preorder makes the price at parity to the hasbro cost:

http://www.amiami.com/top/detail/detail?gcode=FIGURE-011557&page=top%2Fsearch%2Flist%3Fs_keywords%3Dultra+magnus%24pagemax%3D40%24getcnt%3D0%24pagecnt%3D1

Also, the regular price is a 20$ markup, not 30$.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686519)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 16th, 2015 @ 9:14pm CDT

At least, based on Canadian price of 60$CAN+tx for a Hasbro leader, the Takara one at Amiami is around 55$CAN.
Add Shipping and the cost OF THE TAKARA IS THE EXACT SAME AS THE HASBRO WITH TAXES.

TAKARA IS SAME PRICE AS HASBRO FOR BETTER PAINTS APS!!!

Once again, privileged Americans live in another world, with their cheaper everything and all-the-time free shipping.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686520)
Posted by SW's SilverHammer on May 16th, 2015 @ 9:16pm CDT

-Kanrabat- wrote:At least, based on Canadian price of 60$CAN+tx for a Hasbro leader, the Takara one at Amiami is around 55$CAN.
Add Shipping and the cost OF THE TAKARA IS THE EXACT SAME AS THE HASBRO WITH TAXES.

TAKARA IS SAME PRICE AS HASBRO FOR BETTER PAINTS APS!!!

Once again, privileged Americans live in another world, with their cheaper everything and all-the-time free shipping.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686524)
Posted by Rated X on May 16th, 2015 @ 9:33pm CDT

fenrir72 wrote:
Rated X wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:
Mkall wrote:Still too much money for just a Minimus Ambus figure

You know, if Japanese prices were more comparable in retail I would actually say get Takara and Hasbro and sell the Hasbro. But I mean, I hate the mark up TT does for some paint apps. Yeah they do look better and for deluxes I dont mind paying $10 more for awesome decos...but leader class that are almost $30 more? nah.

Paying 10$ more for a deluxe, or 30$ more for a leader ammount to paying 50% more. It's the same thing. Still, it may look bigger for you Americans.

No its not the same thing. This is not a math thing. Its a price gouging thing. Its clearly about how much more money can Takara justify adding to the price for a few extra swipes of paint. If $10 is the cost, then Takara UM should only cost $55. And if $30 is the cost, than every takara deluxe figure should cost $45. The few extra swipes of paint only have one cost to the factory no matter how big a piece of plastic they are painted on.

Engaging subject. But to put it simply......everything in Japan costs higher. Using as analogy, in the USA, a 12 episode BD compilation of lets say Samurai Girls/Fate StayNight would cost you $ 60.00. In Japan, thats just (1) episode/disc. They really do jack up the prices with all the bling that comes with it.

You also have to contend with packaging. Different fonts. Different instruction manuals plus those sales gimmicks where you scan the codes. That comes as extra cost for the advertisement sales gimmicks.

The extra apps also entail reassignment of painting resources. Now, it's more complicated with the programming of computer controlled resources. Of course, you add more paint. More paint......extra cost.

But it's done on the same plant? Yes it is but the product is programmed for a different market. Tomy isn't even considering the overseas market for their product. Iirc, in one of TFYuki tweets or was it in a Hobby magazine, the designers mentioned the foreign market as an after though when they repurposed Slingshot from another mold instead of A-B. So no huffing and puffing will ever get the prices to be at par with the USA domestic release.

Some of what you say has the potential to make sense, but I would be inclined to think the factory workers have the paint machine programming down to a science. The only difference is the size of the piece of plastic being painted. Some takara deluxes that get the shiny paint treatment actually have more paint apps than the larger takara voyager figures which never get shiny paint job, just a different shade of color plastic. Yet the bigger ones with less extra paint apps get a bigger price gouge.

And then sometimes you get the real suspect takara items...

Jetfire- Hasbro has chrome weapons while takara has no paint on the weapons, shouldnt Hasbro cost more ?

Springer- same paint apps different shades of green and yellow plastic. Where is the extra cost ?

Grapple -same figure but twice the price for a painted yellow head and an autobot tampo ?

Its a load of BS honestly. Which brings me to my next argument...been collecting CHUG since 2007 and still dont get this imaginary "Asian market". Especially when Takara has a tendency to replicate paint schemes designed by American animators for an American cartoon that Japan got a voiceover of. I used to argue with board members back in 2009 about Thundercracker, Thrust, and Dirge. Their response was other than botcon the US would never get them in retail because thats the "Asian market". Needless to say they ate their words eventually. But then the US gets Black Shadow (a Japanese character) from Hasbro but Takara never makes one. Shouldnt that have been the Asian market? And how about skids? Everyone anticipated a G1 accurate darker blue Takara skids that never happened. Instead takara decided to do Rollbar, an AOE homage of a non transformer vehicle in a movie made for western audiences. How is that the "Asian market" ? And then theres slingshot and wildrider who Hasbro introduced first before Takara. Once again, the "Asian market" doesnt seem so Asian all of a sudden. Wasnt the western market version supposed to be IDW Alpha Bravo ? Im surprised Takara beat Hasbro in announcing a deluxe CW Groove ? We all know the inevitable Hasbro version will come as an online exclusive on American websites. Ok Ive given enough examples, the bottom line is that there is no "Asian Market". Its all a scam to get collectors to buy online and spend more money for more desired paint schemes. And my arguement from the very beginning more desired doesnt necessarily mean more costly to produce by the factory. You cant tell me silver rims, some knee paint, and a few other small apps costs $30 more to program or produce. Its price gouging. Theyre coming out the same mold as the hasbro version and being shipped straight to American online retailers. So in reality Japans higher cost of living has nothing to do with the price difference. The Hasbro version is just as much an Asian import as the takara version. To make it even worse, the factory is in China, and the figures being dubbed "Japanese" have never even set foot on Japanese soil. Yet they are being sold at Japanese prices out of the same shipping container used to ship hasbro versions the same route overseas from China. And they try to justify it with 25 cents more worth paint applied by a guy they paid 2 dollars a day dirt cheap Chinese labor. Now do you see where Im going with this ? The Takara price difference is total BS just like the "Asian market".

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686530)
Posted by Optimizzy on May 16th, 2015 @ 9:57pm CDT

So I should buy Takara because otherwise America wins? The idea that Americans are complaining because Takara is more expensive than hasbro is a little offensive. Are hasbro Asia toys marked up? It's not about which nationality the company belongs to. I honestly think Takara marks up the prices. Why? Because they can. Because we will pay for them. It's not really about the price of paint. What they do is not a fair increase, but dammit, it's a smart one. They know they can do it. And much of the time you get what you pay for: increased apps and a sense of getting something most casual collectors won't have. If that's worth it to you, then it's a deal. And Takara does have better apps usually. Man. Their stuff is beautiful. But I do get tired of the idea that it isn't a price gouge. It totally is guys. You can believe what you want but it's the reason I don't go for many of the Takara products. Bragging rights and paint isn't usually worth it to me.

Sometimes it is though

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686532)
Posted by william-james88 on May 16th, 2015 @ 10:02pm CDT

SW's SilverHammer wrote:

Says the Putin supporter

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686533)
Posted by Burn on May 16th, 2015 @ 10:03pm CDT

The cost of importing Takara products into Australia works out to roughly the same price of buying Hasbro figures in Australian retail stores.

So ... yeah. >:oP

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686536)
Posted by Tsutsukakushi on May 16th, 2015 @ 10:18pm CDT

No fan has any data info on why other countries Transformers toy prices are so high. Think it's moot complaining until we know the reasons why.

Their are many factors that dictate higher Transformers toy prices in other countries. Guessing Smaller production runs. Stores creating their own prices, Triple luxury country taxes. Some Countries have a higher minimum wage for workers than America does.

Most of the American based imports sites that sell Takara Transformers toys. Sell them at 25% to 40% more than Takara's MSRP. Most guess the reasons are, Middle men fees, over seas shipping fees. Sites over charging due to anxious fans willing to pay any absurd high price.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686550)
Posted by Rated X on May 16th, 2015 @ 11:00pm CDT

Tsutsukakushi wrote:No fan has any data info on why other countries Transformers toy prices are so high. Think it's moot complaining until we know the reasons why.

Their are many factors that dictate higher Transformers toy prices in other countries. Guessing Smaller production runs. Stores creating their own prices, Triple luxury country taxes. Some Countries have a higher minimum wage for workers than America does.

Most of the American based imports sites that sell Takara Transformers toys. Sell them at 25% to 40% more than Takara's MSRP. Most guess the reasons are, Middle men fees, over seas shipping fees. Sites over charging due to anxious fans willing to pay any absurd high price.

You do know hasbro and takara share the molds, right ? They are made in the same factory by the same people at the same production costs. They just get shipped to different countries. All transformers are really Chinese. Unless you believe a different color of plastic and extra paint apps makes something either Japanese or American ? I dont...Its a huge scam.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686554)
Posted by william-james88 on May 16th, 2015 @ 11:11pm CDT

Optimizzy wrote:So I should buy Takara because otherwise America wins? The idea that Americans are complaining because Takara is more expensive than hasbro is a little offensive. Are hasbro Asia toys marked up? It's not about which nationality the company belongs to. I honestly think Takara marks up the prices. Why? Because they can. Because we will pay for them. It's not really about the price of paint. What they do is not a fair increase, but dammit, it's a smart one. They know they can do it. And much of the time you get what you pay for: increased apps and a sense of getting something most casual collectors won't have. If that's worth it to you, then it's a deal. And Takara does have better apps usually. Man. Their stuff is beautiful. But I do get tired of the idea that it isn't a price gouge. It totally is guys. You can believe what you want but it's the reason I don't go for many of the Takara products. Bragging rights and paint isn't usually worth it to me.

Sometimes it is though

How is Takara a price gouge when their preorder price is the same as the preorder price for a hasbro version?

I get the idea that the extra corporate cost is maybe a myth, but the extra consumer cost is a myth as well. Both products cost the same to preorder.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686564)
Posted by Optimizzy on May 16th, 2015 @ 11:33pm CDT

william-james88 wrote:
Optimizzy wrote:So I should buy Takara because otherwise America wins? The idea that Americans are complaining because Takara is more expensive than hasbro is a little offensive. Are hasbro Asia toys marked up? It's not about which nationality the company belongs to. I honestly think Takara marks up the prices. Why? Because they can. Because we will pay for them. It's not really about the price of paint. What they do is not a fair increase, but dammit, it's a smart one. They know they can do it. And much of the time you get what you pay for: increased apps and a sense of getting something most casual collectors won't have. If that's worth it to you, then it's a deal. And Takara does have better apps usually. Man. Their stuff is beautiful. But I do get tired of the idea that it isn't a price gouge. It totally is guys. You can believe what you want but it's the reason I don't go for many of the Takara products. Bragging rights and paint isn't usually worth it to me.

Sometimes it is though

How is Takara a price gouge when their preorder price is the same as the preorder price for a hasbro version?

I get the idea that the extra corporate cost is maybe a myth, but the extra consumer cost is a myth as well. Both products cost the same to preorder.

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?

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686570)
Posted by william-james88 on May 16th, 2015 @ 11:47pm CDT

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.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686584)
Posted by Nemesis Maximo on May 17th, 2015 @ 12:46am CDT

SW's SilverHammer wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:At least, based on Canadian price of 60$CAN+tx for a Hasbro leader, the Takara one at Amiami is around 55$CAN.
Add Shipping and the cost OF THE TAKARA IS THE EXACT SAME AS THE HASBRO WITH TAXES.

TAKARA IS SAME PRICE AS HASBRO FOR BETTER PAINTS APS!!!

Once again, privileged Americans live in another world, with their cheaper everything and all-the-time free shipping.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686594)
Posted by Tsutsukakushi on May 17th, 2015 @ 1:53am CDT

Doing some Wiki searches. America has much lower minimum wages than countries like Canada, Japan, Some European and Austrailia countries.

Doing more Wiki searches indicates. That America has more workers making minimum wage compared to the countries I just listed.

What does all of this have to do with Transformers toy prices in other countries? Everything, As the higher the minimum wage is and less workers on minimum wage is in some countries. The more things cost in that country due to having paying out those higher salaries. It's called evening things out.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686597)
Posted by Burn on May 17th, 2015 @ 2:09am CDT

The luxury tax is on imported motor vehicles, not Transformer toys.

How about YOU go do some research, in fact, try this.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686616)
Posted by Va'al on May 17th, 2015 @ 5:09am CDT

Thanks to wonderful fellow Seibertronian Generator_G1, we have a brief pictorial review of the recently shipped and released Generations Combiner Wars Leader Class Ultra Magnus in all his IDW aesthetics and features, such as Minimus Ambus. Read on below to find out what they think of the ex-Duly Appointed Enforcer of the Tyrest Accord, and for some nice in-hand shots of the toy, including comparisons with Classics Ultra Magnus and some more recent releases like the CW Armada Megatron and MP Smokescreen!

Generator_G1 wrote:Just to consolidate and update my mini review (which is all over the place..lol)

Just some thoughts on Combiner Wars Ultra Magnus to those who might be interested....

1. His front panel detaches easily from the front. It still locks back into place though.
2. His shoulders are mistransformed out of the box, you have to push up until you hear a soft click to lock the shoulders.
3, His ratchets on his hips are very similar to CW Optimus as they only have a limited range of motion. Replacement ratchets would help here.
4. His cab does not detach from the trailer.
5. His feet are also mistransformed. Also no ankle tilts.
6. Minimus is pretty much required to sit inside Magnus in bot mode as he fills out the hollow area in the neck.
7. His elbows and knees are very soft ratchet joints. No loud clickety-clack sound from them.
8. Head only swivels from side to side. Can't look up unless you pop of UM's head and MA becomes visible.
9. He is very hollow when seen from the back. I guess some 3P would like to make fillers for the back of this legs and arms,
10. No wrist articulation.
11. His hands cannot hold his guns securely. They always fall off. I guess UM has butterfingers or something.
12. He does not roll very well. His crotch drags along the ground.
13, Minimus Ambus cannot be in the cab when UM is in vehicle mode. The inside of the cab is where the head goes.
14. No waist swivel.
15. Arms goes full 350 degrees at the shoulder/ Bicep swivels are present.
16. Thigh swivels are present.
17. No light piping on the Magnus head. He does have the aviator shades like in CW Defensor.

Vehicle comparison with Classics UM

Size comparison with other bots

Overall for me, the figure is a 7/10. He looks good on a shelf and is a very good representation of the IDW Magnus but the build quality is not up to par with the Leader Class Megatron / Armada Megatron that preceded it.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686619)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 17th, 2015 @ 5:30am CDT

Burn wrote:The cost of importing Takara products into Australia works out to roughly the same price of buying Hasbro figures in Australian retail stores.

So ... yeah.

Same thing for Canada. The prices over here is a a point where if I but Hasbro, it's either due to a mad sale, a deco preference, of just dumb impatience.
For any other reasons, I'm going Takara all the way. Why shouldnt I? EVEN WITH SHIPPING, it ammount to the same price as if I'd buy locally at full price! I get the Takara premiun paint job on top of that.

As usual, the "X" will keep ignoring us.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686620)
Posted by Burn on May 17th, 2015 @ 5:33am CDT

-Kanrabat- wrote:For any other reasons, I'm going Takara all the way. Why shouldnt I? EVEN WITH SHIPPING, it ammount to the same price as if I'd buy locally at full price! I get the Takara premiun paint job on top of that.

Normally I'm pro-Takara because of cost and not everything makes it my way (and if it days it takes FOREVER and I end up spending a fair bit in fuel to find them) but in this particular case, I want Minimus Ambus over Alpha Trion.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686623)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 17th, 2015 @ 5:41am CDT

Burn wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:For any other reasons, I'm going Takara all the way. Why shouldnt I? EVEN WITH SHIPPING, it ammount to the same price as if I'd buy locally at full price! I get the Takara premiun paint job on top of that.

Normally I'm pro-Takara because of cost and not everything makes it my way (and if it days it takes FOREVER and I end up spending a fair bit in fuel to find them) but in this particular case, I want Minimus Ambus over Alpha Trion.

My Takara UM is already on pre-order. I wonder... Should I customise my Alpha Trion into a Minimus? :-?

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686625)
Posted by Burn on May 17th, 2015 @ 5:46am CDT

-Kanrabat- wrote:
Burn wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:For any other reasons, I'm going Takara all the way. Why shouldnt I? EVEN WITH SHIPPING, it ammount to the same price as if I'd buy locally at full price! I get the Takara premiun paint job on top of that.

Normally I'm pro-Takara because of cost and not everything makes it my way (and if it days it takes FOREVER and I end up spending a fair bit in fuel to find them) but in this particular case, I want Minimus Ambus over Alpha Trion.

My Takara UM is already on pre-order. I wonder... Should I customise my Alpha Trion into a Minimus?

That ... seems kinda pointless. Just get Hasbro's UM if you want Minimus.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686626)
Posted by -Kanrabat- on May 17th, 2015 @ 5:48am CDT

Burn wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:
Burn wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:For any other reasons, I'm going Takara all the way. Why shouldnt I? EVEN WITH SHIPPING, it ammount to the same price as if I'd buy locally at full price! I get the Takara premiun paint job on top of that.

Normally I'm pro-Takara because of cost and not everything makes it my way (and if it days it takes FOREVER and I end up spending a fair bit in fuel to find them) but in this particular case, I want Minimus Ambus over Alpha Trion.

My Takara UM is already on pre-order. I wonder... Should I customise my Alpha Trion into a Minimus?

That ... seems kinda pointless. Just get Hasbro's UM if you want Minimus.

If I ever see Hasbro UM on clearance, like 30$, I will buy. For the time being, I think I will not ruin my Takara figure by gooping all over poor ol' Alpha Trion.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686627)
Posted by Burn on May 17th, 2015 @ 5:55am CDT

-Kanrabat- wrote:For the time being, I think I will not ruin my Takara figure by gooping all over poor ol' Alpha Trion.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686629)
Posted by Wolfman Jake on May 17th, 2015 @ 6:02am CDT

Those new in-hand shots look great, despite the reduced paint detailing on the Hasbro version. Can't wait to have this figure in my paws!

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686637)
Posted by Rated X on May 17th, 2015 @ 7:14am CDT

william-james88 wrote:
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.

Don you really believe Takara spends thousands to ship pallets of figures from their Chinese factory to Japan only to load them right back on another boat to North America ? I call total BS, especially if these factories are deep in the Chinese mainland thousands of miles from Japan. I truly believe they are loaded up into a cargo plane and shipped out the closest Chinese international airport just like the Botcon figures. Japanese cost of living and Japanese toy prices have nothing to do with the price increases. Its a total scam. The reason they do it is because we buy into it instead of telling them to go to hell with their price gouging. Takara probably sells more figures to westerners than they do in Japan based on the size of the island alone. And so ive heard, in Japan the real "Asian market" is all the goofy things westerners make fun of like super deformed robots and dumb novelty transformers that turn into memory sticks, teddy bears, disney characters, baseball caps, video consoles, etc. The "Asian market" has nothing to do with cartoon accurate decos and extra paint apps. Thats a myth. They stick it to us (myself included) because we keep buying into it like a bunch of suckers. Ive often speculated Hasbro and Takara collaborate on the paint sceme decisions before either version is produced. I believe the Hasbro version only exists to justify the price increase of the Takara "collectors version". They make that much more that its worth the effort to make two versions rather than just a one size fits all product. And different packaging is no excuse either. How many times have we seen Takara get lazy and throw a Japanese sticker right over the clear plastic on an American box ? How much extra could that cost ? And we as collecters totally allow it to happpen by buying Takara. (myself included) And to the other people posting up Eagles and Old Glory (which I have no idea why that started) Maybe we won the war 70 years ago, but financially Japan has destroyed us since the 80s. Go to Wall Street, youll see that Japan practically owns us since the age of modern electronics and economical cars. They are so smart, they manipulate cheap Chinese labor to make them rich. When was the last time you bought a TV with a sticker that said "made in Japan" ?

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686638)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 17th, 2015 @ 7:20am CDT

Not sure why the term "Asian market" keeps getting tossed around when Takara only handles the Japanese market while Hasbro Asia covers all of the rest of Asia.

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686640)
Posted by Rated X on May 17th, 2015 @ 7:32am CDT

-Kanrabat- wrote:
Burn wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:For any other reasons, I'm going Takara all the way. Why shouldnt I? EVEN WITH SHIPPING, it ammount to the same price as if I'd buy locally at full price! I get the Takara premiun paint job on top of that.

Normally I'm pro-Takara because of cost and not everything makes it my way (and if it days it takes FOREVER and I end up spending a fair bit in fuel to find them) but in this particular case, I want Minimus Ambus over Alpha Trion.

My Takara UM is already on pre-order. I wonder... Should I customise my Alpha Trion into a Minimus?

Wouldnt it make more sense to buy the Hasbro version and paint the rims and very minor paint apps ? That is, unless you like the red thighs or the slightly different shade of blue that much...

Re: BBTS has Transformers Generations Combiner Wars Leader Ultra Magnus In Stock early (1686641)
Posted by Sabrblade on May 17th, 2015 @ 7:36am CDT

Rated X wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:
Burn wrote:
-Kanrabat- wrote:For any other reasons, I'm going Takara all the way. Why shouldnt I? EVEN WITH SHIPPING, it ammount to the same price as if I'd buy locally at full price! I get the Takara premiun paint job on top of that.

Normally I'm pro-Takara because of cost and not everything makes it my way (and if it days it takes FOREVER and I end up spending a fair bit in fuel to find them) but in this particular case, I want Minimus Ambus over Alpha Trion.

My Takara UM is already on pre-order. I wonder... Should I customise my Alpha Trion into a Minimus?

Wouldnt it make more sense to buy the Hasbro version and paint the rims and very minor paint apps ? That is, unless you like the red thighs or the slightly different shade of blue that much...

There's also different colored plastics involved: