Holiday Dollar Problems and Toy Robots
Toy Price Hikes in 2004
I miss the days of a strong dollar. Have you looked a the robot prices on ebay lately? You may have noticed that Europeans are getting a 25% discount with the strong Euro. My buddies in Italy, France, and The Netherlands are quite happy at the moment shopping thE- Bay. Lucky, errr, Suckers! View the graph to the left and you will see how each Euro has gone from equaling 1.19 Dollars all the way to equaling 1.37 Dollars. That is over a 35% discount!
So what does an American collector do? Should we wait for prices to dip back down (if they ever do) or should we forge ahead into new price territory? My contention is that toy prices ratchet up and don't usually drop for quite some time, if at all. Maybe we should buy gold : ) Even shipping costs have gone up in the last year. It gets a bit difficult to swallow the $3 shipping cost on a $4 toy. Oh, that insurance is an additional $1.70 if you wish. *wince*
With this backdrop of increases I have tried to ignore the price upticks, but my light wallet is sobering. My wife has brought me back to reality too. Honestly, I've entered a new stage of family life and budgeting for two. In the Ebb tide of dollars I have become more appreciative of my childhood toys. Older aquisitions gleem a bit more in my mind's eye. Price increases have brought on an extra Thanksgiving, a long term giving of thanks.
Wrap-It Up
 This Christmas I will be concentrating on areas I can control. My plan is to give to our Toys for Tots program in the New York area. Here in the U.S. we can still purchase a domestic Transformer for around $5 or a deluxe TF for around $10. Power Rangers toys are a relative bargan at $20 for a Jumbo Megazord. I can handle this kind of buying without worrying about cost! This currency-vexed collector will be switching to happy thoughts and giving back. I plan on making some local kids happy and giving thanks. Santa was gracious in the past and now needs to skip my house. Deliver my packages to the kids.
May you and your loved-ones enjoy this season of egg nog, toasted cat wiskers by the open fire, good cheer, great food, and family bliss. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Ed
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