I think it is worth putting it out there that assuming someone could be slightly patient. They could spend $80 for each dark edition on release from best buy. $240, i dont know the amount you could get for the spares/extra 2 games, 2 portals, 2 dark spit fires, 2 dark hot streaks, 2 kaos trophies. Assuming that you can recoop $100 between all of that which I think is reasonable then you essentially paid $40 for dark sure shot stealth elf, dark sea shadow, dark bowser, dark clown cruiser which is amazingly cheap. It is doubtful you could get any of them for less than $15 any time prior to 8 months. However it is worth mentioning the nintendo exclusives especially the dark ones are significantly more valuable and rare. They will not be easy to find for awhile for reasonable prices.

Moving on to the patient part. Wait 2 months and get 3 starters black friday from amazon for $37 each. Try to get any amount for the extras. The important thing to note is that it is unlikely to get bowser and his vehicle including shipping for under $18.50 each prior to november. Retail you will be able to get regular spitfire, hot streak and sure shot stealth elf for $41 assuming you dont get any deals. On BF it is likely you can get B1G140% or 70% off or $9 each or maybe cheaper which would be approximately $27. The nintendo exclusives have been said to not be sold seperately. This does involve driving during crazy times though.

I have developed some spread sheet to compare ebay, but the worst case scenario for all of the starter characters for Wii U, it should be $341 retail opposed to the initial $515 retail. That is still ridiculous. I don't like reselling personally and most likely will try to buy the dark versions of stealth elf, bowser, sea shadow and clown cruiser for less than $160 all together and wait until black friday and hope for finding them at less than $101 for the regular bowser, dk, stealth elf, spitfire, clown cruiser, barrel blaster and hot streak. Shipping included, I do not know if 7 new figures some being exclusive will be obtainable for under $100 as that is just shy of $15 with shipping included.