So last week it was announced that Toys R' US would be releasing an exclusive Marvel Legends All-New X-Men boxset featuring five 6" action figures of the X-Men in their original uniforms. Though the figures in the set did not appear to have any accessories and for the most part reused existing tooling in their designs, the set was
reported by IGN to have a somewhat modest cost of only
$84.99. That comes out to around $17 a figure.
Now we assume IGN got that $84.99 price from Hasbro, which was likely the suggested retail price for the set. You see the manufacturer doesn't actually set the price for what their products sell for at any particular store. That is left to the individual retailer to determine.
So earlier this week Toys R' Us began taking
pre-orders for the set on their website. As we
reported, the site had the set listed for a price of
$119.99, a $35 increase from what was originally reported. This admittedly seemed a bit high making the cost per figure around $24. This however was still in keeping with what we have seen them trying to sell the new Marvel Legends Infinite Amazing Spider-Man figures for, despite the fact competitors such as Target are selling them for only $15 a figure.
Then yesterday the X-Men boxset disappeared from the TRU site, some thinking perhaps to adjust the cost down to be more in keeping with the original $84.99 price tag. Well believe it or not TRU did adjust the price on the set, but not downward. Instead they have now raised the price to a whopping
$139.99. That makes the cost per figure around $28. Toys R' Us wants you to buy a 6" action figure which most evidence suggests even in today's market should only cost between $17-$20.
Now this isn't Scalping since obviously TRU isn't running out and buying the figures elsewhere and reselling them in their own stores, but there does seem to be some indications of serious price gouging going on here. Obviously TRU can set the price on these to whatever they want, but the question is, will anyone really buy this set at that cost?????
