Talk:Luo Tianyi/@comment-25007813-20140711022325/@comment-53539-20140712095610

Generally, Chinese made and sold models are really cheap to import from China, whereas Japanese sold figurines seem to up their price even when their made in china anyway. Its to do a lot with licensing. *sigh*.

Also quality... I hate to say it, but sometimes figurines are impacted in price their quality. Cheap, low quality productions, normally don't sell for much. For example, in the One Piece fandom, if you see the "P.O.P." or "Portrait of Pirates" range, you expect to pay $30-40 right off the bat without exports considered.

Then there is also the limited numbers involved... If a figurine was "rare" or "common" it will effect the price. Even if it was common, if the figurine DOESN'T come up for sale very often on some sites like e-bay, the sellers who know this may take advantage of this and up the price, as they know the buyer will be after them.

In regards to e-bay itself, I've had some experience with them enoguh to write this;

If the figurine is in "mint" condition (like my 4 P.O.P.'s are), expect to pay a lot more on the price at least. When I looked up other copies of this figurine that are on sale just of my Vivi one, she currently sells for £100-£140 roughly used (out of box). In Mint condition, I'd see that pushed closer to £200. However... There is a reason for this... She isn't that popular so isn't much in demand... In contrast I can find my other 3 figurines I have at sale for £40, which is not much more then what I paid fro them.

Essentially, whatever you do don't buy from places like Hong Kong. Unless the figurine was exclusively to Hong Kong... Its most likely going to turn up to be fake. From my experience and my friends experience over the years... That country is sadly too unreliable to even worth given it the time of day to consider. No offence intended towards anyone from that country, this is directed at the shifty dealers there, who spoil the countries reputation. And not at the country itself.

I'm guessing that in the case of the IA and Yukari, I guess its people taking advantage of their popularity versus how often their figurines appear on e-bay for sale right now. If the supply is low and the demand high, sellers push the price up. However, leaving can lower the price as more appear on the market, but at the same time... There is a risk you won't see the figurine again. :-/