Exchange rates havent got anything to do with it. The main problem are the shop owners jacking up prices more than needed.

The average model shop in HK only add a couple of dollars to the price they get it from the dsitributor (who also only does the same). The idea behind it is they know they will sell stock faster locally and also be able to shift more internationally so they make more profit in the long term. Maybe if US and European dealers and shops opened their eyes and did the same they would profit more from more people in the hobby.