Seemed like a lot of people were looking for this guy. He's still up for sale online at GR.

http://www.secure.giantrobot.com/produc ... MLLMBANGGR

so pricey..I used to think $60 was a lot for a bxh toy from span ..but these $100 price tags right off the bat are just too much for me

I hear that! For the first time in my lazy-ass life, I've been trying to figure out how to generate some supplemental income so I can keep collecting.

I'm totally with you guys. In fact, I was just ogoling Bwana's new DAVE customs, and I love them. However, during the holiday season no less, I have no idea wheres a po' boy comes up with 220 clams. Personally speaking, I'd probably spend that amount on wall art--just my preference 'cuz I need some things on my walls.

BTW, any of our custom guys have insight on how you determine the "custom" rate? For instance, would you flat rate, say, $200? Or do you feel hourly rate is better? Just curious...all in fun.

Ooooo I just looked at those Daves as well. I'm way past cashed out at this point for the year, but I love this one. His belly makes me think of my friend Smogun.

yeah, those dave's are great.

i think #4 and #8 are my two favorites, but same as you guys, stretched for funds as it is .

Actually, I think Bwana's technique and variation are getting better and better, and am bummed I can't grab one of these. I think the Lil' Smokey is his best paint job to date for wide-release, and the DAVE his best to date for custom. I'd love to see them all in person, cuz I think the color schemes and details would be bad-ass.

The Daves are rad as fuck!

I'm thinking I might dive in...what's nerdier/awesomer than taking some Fantasy Football winnings and buying toys.

Sorry ladies, I'm taken...

Bangals retail at about 7500Y...so $100 is a bit high. $85 would seem about right..with the current exchange rate.

when gargamel mid-sized figures first came out (tokoji/eaton/ojo rojo), didn't they all retail at around $100?

yup

I thought that the 1st Ojo's were around $80?

I also agree that $100 is a bit much.

Getting back to the main thread topic, I think one of the reasons for higher domestic prices right now may be the higher Dollar-to-Yen ratio. I think some retailers need to mark up the sale price in order to make any kind of profit on their initial investment.

All the gargamel figures originally retailed for $100. S7 and Gargamel worked out a deal to offer them at $80, I guess GR didn't work out the same deal. I know these figures are on the high end price wise but they are expensive to make so $80 is about as cheap as we can sell them.

For what it is worth Japaneses retail will usually be lower than US retail since the wholesale price we are offered is usually close to Japaneses retail. At this point with the exchange rate working against us most retailers are not even making 35% on a lot of this stuff. It is hard to keep the doors open when your margins are so low. Hopefully the dollar will stabilize but I am not holding my breath.