There is a reason for the difference in prices. Toys R Us is a huge chain and
buys diecast models in significant numbers, and they buy direct from the
company, in this case Ertl. Specialist sources buy smaller quanities, and buy
through a distributor. Smaller quanities and a middle-man raise the cost and
thus there is the difference between $15 and $29 for the TR6.
I have collected diecasts for over 10 years, and it is common to find these
price differences. The moral is to watch for the bargins @ the big chains like
Toys R Us, K. B. Toys, etc. and buy when you can, however to fill out a
collection one must rely on the specialist sources since the big chains will
never carry the "Fire Rapid Response Vechcle of the Rochester, NY Fire
Department". (BTW, this is a TR3A in bright red.)
For collectors, the specialist sources are a must, but as with anything else,
one must be prepared to shop around.
Day.John@fin.gc.ca wrote:
> I get a kick out of how the same item can cost in the vicinity of $29 from
> 'specialist' sources, and $15 from a simple toy store. Talk about exploiting
> the market.
>
> And before you ask - no, I'm not a socialist (would a socialist drive such
> 'bourgeois' cars as a TR3A and TR6?) - just an observer of such things in
> this, our mutual obsession!
>
> Cheers, JD
>
>
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