Wal-Mart has raised the price on alot more than just toys. I noticed last week that new DVD's that were once aound $15-20 were now $20-25, the basic regular movies. The special extra versions that were $20-25 are now $25-30.
A package of hamster litter that was $3 something is now $5 something.
I've noticed price increases on soap, hand lotion, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags and lots of food. Most cereals have gone up about $.50 a box in the last 8 months.
Pickles are just crazy. I worked in the grocery business for 15 years and the price has been nuts on those for a long time anyway.
It might just be the Wal-Mart here because it is a newly built Super Center and it is doing really bad. I think they are cranking up their prices to make up for bad sales.
Maybe Hasbro should move their factories to Mexico. I heard gas is cheaper down there. Might also be able to find cheap labor there as well. Just a suggestion.
Especially considering that down THERE....they could pay somebody $4.00 an hour and they'd do a GOOD job. Up here (thanks to the out of control unions) they have to pay somebody $20.00 an hour just to get them up and out of bed and to work ON TIME, just to do a CRAPPY job!
But it is a bit frustrating that even within the city there is drastic differences in the prices from one Walmart to another. And it's funny because K-Mart is now the CHEAPEST place to get GI Joe in Des Moines. 6 month ago when they had figures priced at $5.99, they couldn't move merchandise and now figures fly off the shelves (yup, still priced at $5.99).
Well, I'd speculate that Walmart is seeing how many truck deliveries a week?? Probably a LOT more than a K-mart is.
I feel it is a bit unfair to Hasbro to blast them for a $2 price hike when they only raised the MSRP by ONE DOLLAR. As Arrow said, retailers were free to charge what they wanted and it was Walmart's decision to jack around with prices.
I blast oil companies for the high price on plastics and pickles.
But it is a bit frustrating that even within the city there is drastic differences in the prices from one Walmart to another. And it's funny because K-Mart is now the CHEAPEST place to get GI Joe in Des Moines. 6 month ago when they had figures priced at $5.99, they couldn't move merchandise and now figures fly off the shelves (yup, still priced at $5.99).
$2 wouldn't be too bad if I were just buying toys for myself... but with groceries, gas, Disneyworld, public schools and all of that jazz... adding a buck or more on everything adds up fast (as we are all feeling).
I don't blame Hasbro, but I'd like to steal the wallet of the guy that is making a ton of money off speculation
Of course I could be wrong. But seeing how I could get a GI Joe for $5 at Thanksgiving and now they are bordering $7 (not to mention what I pay for gas) I can't see the corporations taking a dip in the pocket book so that the kids can be entertained.
Now, I argued this earlier this year, and I feel it necessary to do so again: the MSRP of GI Joe single figures since Hasbro announced the 25th line was ALWAYS $5.99. And every retailer set their prices to that or higher EXCEPT for Walmart, who has always been wishy washy on supporting Joe in the past.
I feel it is a bit unfair to Hasbro to blast them for a $2 price hike when they only raised the MSRP by ONE DOLLAR. As Arrow said, retailers were free to charge what they wanted and it was Walmart's decision to jack around with prices.
Hasbro has some of the highest QC of any of the manufactorers out there. SO they pay more for more people checking goods ( que the Mattel QC incident ). On top of that, they also use higher quality of plastic which is petrolium base which... Survey says ( is nearly the same as Oil )
Now, hit Marvel, Star Wars, and Indiana Jones.. Now you add roylaties to every single product made under that logo. With star wars You have to pay Lucas for Every figure, and each likeness goes to the performer.
Its no doubt this was coming, G.I.joe being Hasbro owned doesnt mean they original intended a 25
figure line at 4.99 Each, then found them selves diving head first in to it, means they would need to up the price for more figures, newer molds, development, and Advertising.
what I was saying about shipping.. yeah, of course its more expensive now.. but I have not noticed the price increase in everything else that gets shipped from overseas.many many things are shipped, correct?? but I dont see everything else increasing prices at the rate of GiJoes.
Yeah... I can see your point. I wonder if the production runs of GI Joe are much lower than say, Power Rangers. There is more detail in Joes and paint applications. But Star Wars have gone up about a buck and a half in the same time.
what I was saying about shipping.. yeah, of course its more expensive now.. but I have not noticed the price increase in everything else that gets shipped from overseas.
many many things are shipped, correct?? but I dont see everything else increasing prices at the rate of GiJoes.
Maybe Hasbro should move their factories to Mexico. I heard gas is cheaper down there. Might also be able to find cheap labor there as well. Just a suggestion.
... and don't get me started on the price of pickles.
No... seriously. I don't want to talk about how much it costs for a jar of pickles. Unless it's 25th Anniversary GI Joe Pickles.
But back on subject... I work in plastics and I have seen 4'x8' sheets of plexiglass go up $12 in the last few months. It takes a huge bite out of my bottom line so I pass the savings on to my customers. So if they are not charging extra for the freight overseas and then cross country, then I'm sure they're charging extra for the rising cost of plastic. And I doubt that they are using too much recycled plastic (if any)
