I think the other factors are:
a) The ringgit is quite weak against the USD.
b) GST
c) inflation

I remember my first Hot Toys figure was the Dark Knight (MMS71), which cost around RM 500 back then. Granted there were no electronics (light up features) like the Iron Man figures

I went for the Mid Valley exhibit back in May. There was no 1/6 Hulkbuster there. Only the much larger (cannot fit through door) version

Nope. I already pre-ordered the 1/12 The Bat, so I'm focused on saving for that. More of a fan of the Dark Knight compared to Iron Man, though I do own the Mark 6...

Cheapest alternatives for HB (forget accuracy) is
a) Hasbro Titan series - though I don't see them around anymore
b) Lego

I did some googling last time, and the cheapest movie accurate Hulkbuster is the statue from Kotobukiya, which is around RM 5XX I think.

The next one would be the Marvel Legends BAF Hulkbuster, which all 7 figures cost RM 6XX, where you get the HB and 7 other figurines. It's not to scale to anything as far as I know nor as accurate as the statue from Kotobukiya, but its at least a little articulated

Then there is the S.H. Figuarts HB, while it looks impressive and quite accurate, this hits the RM 1k+ range already. I think some local shops had it at PO between RM 1300 - RM 1600

Saw the King Arts HB on TFH, but not too familiar with the quality of their figures, so I can't judge it.

Then there is the HT's HB. At the time shops were taking PO for around RM 2.8k, EXCLUDING GST. Take into account our weakening exchange rate, I think this may enter the RM 3k+ range by the time it arrives.

Even the 1/12 Bat Deluxe which I ordered from HT was already RM 2.2k when I first ordered it. I am a little worried how much it will cost by the time it arrives (GST + FOREX)

Shops will need to set dateline so that they can submit their orders to HT. That way HT will be able to gauge (I think) roughly how many units the need to produce to meet the demand.

Not to mention given the price per unit for the HB, not many shops will bring in extra units (unless they can afford it) because it would take up real estate in their shops/warehouses.

I think it depends on whether the shop chooses to absorb the difference due to the currency exchange rate. I am not sure if they pay the full amount up front when they order from XL (the local distributor), but if they do (I doubt it though given how much they would have to pay for the HB), then the only thing they would need to charge is the 6% GST (that one I guess not really their choice, though they could absorb it if they wanted to)

If they don't pay the full amount and they have to pay the remainder when the item arrives, then the remainder would be affected by the FOREX and GST.

The whole Toys 10% tax thing is more applicable to importing toys. That I think has always been in place, though I think toy shops have licenses to import toys. We (consumers) would feel that more if we import toys ourselves (again, subject to randomness of customs when picking which parcel to tax)

I haven't imported anything recently that got taxed, but I think the 6% GST is on top of the 10% tax from toys, so I think the way they calculate would be:
(Value of item x Currency Rate) + Freight charges (according to their table, NOT what you paid) + 1% of value item for insurance (I think) = Amount A
Amount A x 16% tax (10% Toy Tax + GST)
Note that this is just my guess, but I know Amount A is definitely how they reach the minimum RM 500 value. I remember paying USD 20 for shipping for an item from US, but the freight charges got jacked up to RM 385 based on their table.

Hmm.. maybe the rules have changed. But the last time I was taxed, I was definitely paying an exorbitant amount for the freight charges. I called up either Fedex or DHL about it (they had already paid for tax by the time they came to deliver it, so there was no nego-ing with customs), who then directed me to customs. From there I started digging around and found their table for determining the CIF, which they claimed was a international standard for charging the freight (though I wasn't able to find anything to that extent)

I see... I don't have the shipment label for it anymore, but I don't think courier prints the shipping amount on the label. I think it just said paid for by shipper (or something to that extent)

Based on XL's website:
War Machine Mark 3 - RM 1268
Iron Man Mark 46 (Power Pose) - RM 668
Batman Vs. Superman - Batman - RM 868

Seems like its more worth it to pre-order the War Machine Mark 1 die cast, considering the price and the fact that it has diecast parts, but that's just my opinion anyway

Yeah, I guess the only saving grace is that because of the release date being next year, you can save up for it.

That how I did it for The Bat Didn't really feel the pinch to the wallet when it arrived (except for the where do put this big thing...)

War Machine (Mk 1 and Mk 3) are generally bulkier compared to Iron Man Mk 3, so there's probably more parts (die cast maybe?) on them. That combined with our currency weakening.

Just remember to add 6% GST on top of what price you see on the Toypanic site. That's something you don't see until you check out.

You might want to call to check with Robotica Toys. Last time I ordered something from them (it was an accesory set for the Transformer Ironhide), they never contacted me when it arrived. I called them up and they said they had shipped the item back to their HQ (JB or Penang I think, I had pre-ordered it from the Subang outlet last time) They had to ship it back to their Subang outlet then I only I could go collect it.

As for The Bat, I pre-ordered it from Toy Wiz (Amcorp Mall) and received it somewhere in Q4 last year.