Louis,
Great post, hits the nail right on the head.
Manufacturers can keep raising the prices because the cost of production keeps going up and rather than take less of a profit, they raise prices accordingly to keep profits high, but the consumer at some point says enough is enough and stops buying; it's all about supply and demand.
Once the demand drops to due rising retail prices and the supply goes up because the items are not selling, the prices will have to come down or stock will sit around and collect dust. Look at the price of gas; it hit 4.00 a gallon and people said enough is enough, they cut way back on driving, started using public transportation and BANG, demand dropped below supply. I just returned from Lancaster last Sunday from Historicon and usually, getting back to Massachusetts past all the Jersey Shore traffic and the traffic near 287 from the Hamptons in the past was a nightmare; last Sunday, it took me exactly 30 minutes longer to get home, where as in years past, it took several hours longer.
Gas prices around here dropped about 25 cents since July 4th, down to 3.79 for regular gas. When was the last time gas prices DROPPED during the summer, they always jam you and raise prices, but not this year. Predictions are prices will continue to drop, perhaps as much as another 20 to 25 cents by labor day, down to about 3.50 a gallon. All in all, not bad really, all due to consumers saying enough is enough.
And Ron, enlighten me as to how the price of a candy bar that was 10 cents what, almost 40 years ago has anything to do with toy soldier prices going through the roof. Your talking a 90 cent increase over 40 years vs price increases with almost every new release, it's like comparing apples to hand grenades, not a very good comparison at all.
You sound like my 80 year old father telling me how he remembers gas at 25 cents a gallon and a loaf of bread was a nickel and my reply is "Ok Dad, but you were making what, 57.00 a week at the time, it's all relative".....
