Star Wars Toys

[Matthew]

Man, oh man. I recently realised that the US Hasbro site has the retail price in dollars for its Star Wars toys available. The UK and Japan versions of the site include no pricing information, and no wonder, because the mark-up is insane. An $8 figure can cost as much as £16 in the UK, though £10 seems more usual. In Japan it is a similar story, but not quite as bad, at around ¥1,000. The toy light sabres, which are priced at $20 in the US, are nearly ¥5,000 in Japan, though happily usually heavily discounted. Mind, some items are simply expensive, like the AT-ACT at $300 or £250.

[ThirstyStirge]

That's nothing. I looked at a Lego Millennium Falcon that was over five thousand dollars. They don't call it Di$ney for nothing.

[EOTB]

Adults are distorting the toy market for kids. When we were growing up, 40-somethings weren't as a rule spending their discretionary cash on Han Solo figures for their own use.

Now that a material number of them are, the toy companies are going to price point at what 40 year-old tech workers will pay, not the 10 year-old with a weekly allowance.

[T. Foster]

Adults are distorting the toy market for kids. When we were growing up, 40-somethings weren't as a rule spending their discretionary cash on Han Solo figures for their own use.

Now that a material number of them are, the toy companies are going to price point at what 40 year-old tech workers will pay, not the 10 year-old with a weekly allowance.

When Xmas shopping I went into the Lego Store looking for a present for my 7 year old nephew and was a bit dismayed to discover that at least as much space in the store was given over to massive sets costing $100+ and recommended for ages 17+ as was to stuff for, you know, kids.

[Matthew]

Adults are distorting the toy market for kids. When we were growing up, 40-somethings weren't as a rule spending their discretionary cash on Han Solo figures for their own use.

I am not sure about that. The basic toys seem to be relatively inexpensive; the toy makers have invented deluxe versions for adult collectors (the "Black Series" for Star Wars), though plastic model kits seem to be more detailed and desirable in the latter case. The AT-ACT is an unusual case, as most Star Wars vehicles come in at $20-60.

[EOTB]

Basic Star Wars figures were $1.49 in 1978, which would be roughly $5.48 (or £4.33) today.

That's my basis for saying £10 - £16 is pricing in consideration for adults with more discretionary money. The price of the toys has increased when the cost of materials, production, and trade, have largely decreased.

[Matthew]

I think since the cost in the US is $8 that the rate of inflation between 1978 and 2017 is reasonably accurately reflected in the toy retail prices. The reason they are so heavily marked up in the UK, and to a lesser extent Japan, is more likely to be connected to import tax. You are right, though, that if directly exchanged the cost of a figure should be roughly half (£5-6) of what it is.

[Matthew]

Got to say, I bought a couple of the Black Series action figures (they were heavily reduced) and they really put the regular figures to shame in terms of how poseable they are:

[Matthew]

I have had a lot of fun recently buying Star Wars toys via Amazon at knock down rates (like 75+% off). Plenty of presents stored away for the boy as we approach the new film and marketing period!

[ThirstyStirge]

I'd love to get into some Star Warsy space wargaming, but the figs of ships are gobsmackingly pricey. Most of my trad HMW is based upon my homemade (rather embarrassingly primitive) paper and cardstock standups, and it would be nice, for a change, to have actual 3D, metal or plastic minis instead of my impecunious woodpulp minis.

[Flambeaux]

I'd love to get into some Star Warsy space wargaming, but the figs of ships are gobsmackingly pricey. Most of my trad HMW is based upon my homemade (rather embarrassingly primitive) paper and cardstock standups, and it would be nice, for a change, to have actual 3D, metal or plastic minis instead of my impecunious woodpulp minis.

A few folks I know who got seriously into the Star Wars minis game patiently hunt for bargains on Craigslist and EBay. Lots of sellers don't understand, or value, what they have. Deals are harder to find than they used to be but they can still be found. Happy hunting!

[Matthew]

I might be getting a bit too into it ...

[francisca]

I bought a bunch of the Wizkids Constructable Star Wars ships when they came out (Think pirates of the spanish main, but x-wings), and have used them with the free Full Thrust rules. There are some people out on the net who modified FT to be more Star Wars-ish. You can still find the boosters cheaply on ebay and amazon.

[Matthew]

Having a lot of fun with these toys. Today we played a "scenario":

First Order forces advance on a lightly defended Resistance outpost:



Speeder bikes streak down the right flank:



Admiral Ackbar realises he has fallen into another trap, and orders Poe, Finn, Rey, and some troopers to hold the line until reinforcements can arrive:



Captain Phasma boldly commands a squad of stormtroopers with two heavy weapons troopers, whilst General Hux hides behind a hill:



Brave Resistance fighter pilots prepare to fly air support:



Little do they know that insidious First Order special forces TIE fighters are also deploying:

[JCBoney]

Basic Star Wars figures were $1.49 in 1978, which would be roughly $5.48 (or £4.33) today.

That's my basis for saying £10 - £16 is pricing in consideration for adults with more discretionary money. The price of the toys has increased when the cost of materials, production, and trade, have largely decreased.

REALLY? REALLY? We were paying $1.99 for them.