Looking for some Lego yesterday, I discovered that Toys R US now offer international shipping to Australia. Shipping is via i-parcel.com.
I ordered Mindstorms NXT 2.0 (8547) for $279.99 + $24.80 in shipping. eBay prices start around $350 plus $25 postage in Australia or $50-$60.
The online order process is not the smoothest and I had to use PayPal as it wouldn't accept my credit card. Hopefully the Lego arrives in time for Christmas.
$300 for LEGO.
It is really an embedded controller with sensors and motors which integrates with other lego pieces. A much simpler starting point for robotics than arduino or similar platforms. Some schools use it for education.
If you think $300 is expensive, try the Lego Star Wars Ultimate Collector's Millennium Falcon. Originally $979.99 in 2007, so it would have been a better investment than the stock market.
wouldn't you be pissed off if you spent almost $3000 on Lego only to find there was a piece missing !!!
Lego will send you the missing piece.
Back in my day, Lego was just colourful blocks.