pafy6285

Those looking for MB 00 Raiser Designer Blue ver., lots of postings right at YAJ at around 30k yen (buy it now price).

Since you guys are talking about MB SF, sharing mine. Originally not planning to get the Soul blue SF as I already have the original (and also due to the high price relative to MSRP), but was able to find a decent price in Yahoo Auctions so got one in the end (still to be shipped though as I'm maximizing FJ's warehouse time in case I order additional things from YAJ).

My VF-1A (Jenius) from amazon.co.jp just arrived today. Should have been delivered much earlier as it was shipped Tuesday and was already in North America hubs Wednesday but it seems customs took their sweet time inspecting the package (seems to have been opened as there's a Customs tape)

1 hour ago, sqidd said:

Thanks for the detailed reply.

That...............................thing............................is......................................AWESOME!

I'd pay $1000 for that I suppose. I wonder how much they will go for in the secondary market. I guess time will tell. I'll have tom keep my eyes peeled for info on when it ships in here.

Thanks again!

if you'll base it on current "Pre-order" scalping price, it's currently at least $1500 with some postings reaching $2000.

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-to-leave-global-postal-union-next-month

Note for U.S. collectors/buyers, the U.S. is planning to leave UPU by next month if there's no agreement made with UPU before the deadline. This means possible increase on shipping done through USPS. Not sure if items coming from Japan is being subsidized by U.S. so the rate from Japan might be affected or not.  However, items from China (which is basically the main target for this action), will definitely be affected as shipping from China is heavily subsidized by the U.S. (that's why it's common to see free or dirt cheap shipping rates from China). If you're using a courier (like DHL, Fedex, UPS), their rates will most probably not be affected, unless of course they take advantage of the situation and also increase their rates. So don't be surprised in case you see some increase in shipping in the coming months.

P.S. Not sure the appropriate forum to post this (while also making it more visible to members), so mods feel free to move it if needed. Thanks

1 hour ago, sqidd said:

That.....is.....awesome. The execution is amazing. Aside from being something from Titan Fall, what is it? What should I throw in Google? How tall is that?

It's around 51 cm or 20 inches. Just google ThreeZero Titanfall, it should show up the mechs that they've released (I think ThreeZero only release two other mechs, the Stryder and the Ogre). ThreeZero Titanfall mechs were release some years ago so after market price for brand new or ebay is at around $800 USD or more.

Loots that arrived this week. Really not actively looking for a ThreeZero Atlas, but appeared while I'm browsing some Gundams/Macross items in Yahoo Auction. It's used but in very good condition, so basically a somewhat impulse bid and was surprised to get it significantly below its original SRP (brand new right now is already at least double the SRP). Also got another 'used' MB Exia. Not sure if Bandai will rerelease the MB Exia when they release the GN-Arms which I plan to get so just securing it now, in case it jumps in price.

On 8/22/2019 at 9:02 PM, kajnrig said:

Seems this release is more substantial than just a recolor as I'd originally thought. The earlier release apparently represents the "Early Type" of the design (probably used early in the manga), and this newest one is the "Late Type" design (probably used later in the manga). The "Late Type" replaces the chest armaments with those headlight-looking things, and swaps the shoulder armor for ones that have a similar "headlight" accoutrement, as well as whatever other minor detail differences exist between the two.

I'm lazy to check my MC RX-78-2 origin but IIRC and if you're comparing it to the previous release (MC #1009), they basically have the same parts including the chest and armor 'headlight' pieces with some color difference. But if you're comparing it to the MG Origin, yeah it seems that the MG version doesn't have those chest/shoulder parts.

just a quick pic of my July/Aug loot. Already my 3rd MB Strike (first two for aile strike, and gunbarrel pack) in prepration for the launcher/sword pack. Hopefully that will be the last Strike, lol. Also, the MB Laevatein is my 2nd one (already have the 1st release years ago). Again in preparation for the flight pack add-on.

32 minutes ago, Mommar said:

I've always liked Heavy Arms.  No idea where this version of it comes from though.

It's from the Glory of the Losers story. The first one that was release (from the said story) is the MG Shenlong Liaoya. Hopefully Bandai also release soon the equipment for Deathsctyhe and Sandrock. It would be a shame if they don't

recorded stream (Paris Japan Expo) of the Evangelion 3.0 + 1.0 first 10 minutes preview (around 52 minute mark): https://live.line.me/channels/75/broadcast/11598500 (French sub). Also available on nyaa.

Youtube upload with English sub, though video might be brought down.

44 minutes ago, Kanedas Bike said:

Has N-Y shipped anyone their METAL BUILD - GUNDAM ASTRAEA + PROTO GN HIGH MEGA LAUNCHER - LIMITED EDITION yet?

Mine has been in Preparation in Progress since June 25th. I know that N-Y has been these days to ship lately (or at least inconsistent) but I wanted to check before I decide to either (1) remain patient or (2) reach out to them.

-b. 

Not a metal build figure, but a scale figure in "Preparation in Progress" since June 24. So N-Y could be busy or something.

I see a lot of Metal Build Astraea posted on YAJ around 25k and some lower at Buy now price. Wonder if Astraea is not that popular in Japan as the Type-F appreciated quickly as I remember to around the 30k level after its release.

available again at N-Y.... for 160k, lol

15 minutes ago, bleecher said:

What time does this main unit  going on sale and did I jus thappen to miss when the preorder for the fins will be active? 

Seems like the reservation will be open to dealers/retailers June 13 local time (which is basically this evening for western TZs) and is a general (regular?) store release. Hopefully, the price point will keep in check the crazy PO that can happen on Bandai's regular release products (e.g. the recent 1/48 VF-1S, MB EVA).

to be fair, just basing it on the figure's details (pictures), custom painted/built MG/PG kits in YAJ  with similar level of details usually hovers around the same price range or even more. Assuming of course that you like the design of the Metal Structure Nu Gundam, I think the price reflects what it might cost you if you commissioned someone with the same level of details (not to mention that the figure has die cast contents).

1/60 Metal Structure Nu Gundam @ 93000 yen. Fin Funnels sold separately

https://tamashii.jp/special/kaitai_shou_ki/

51 minutes ago, That one dude said:

That's a really good point. Anyone got an answer?

I mean the planning team makes the figure, Marketing contacts local stores and decides the quantity, and then development places the final order number based on what their told. So quantities are set waaaay in advance, and there are still going to be huge lines on open day for that shelf stock anyway. 

Pre ordering this far in advance seems pointless.

So the customers can reserve their copy. Even if the figures will be available on stores on release day, it's possible that it will still be hard to get the figure if it's popular. And worse, scalpers might flood those stores and get all copies, just like what happened with MetalBuild Eva01 (scalpers from China flooded Japan stores. Locals complained and that's why there's an immediate reissue). 

whew, got one at NY.

those looking for MB Strike Freedom and won't mind some of the conditions posted, currently available at Yahoo Auctions for 25800 yen (buy it now): https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/n344025579

Accessories seems to be complete aside from an open hand and a joint (not sure what joint refers to but might one of the stand adapters/connector). However main issue mentioned is the left leg which is loose and it was mentioned that leg is hard to pose. Box also available though in 'tattered' state as per description.

3 hours ago, ArchieNov said:

I don't think it's exaggerated. One of the last times I had to pay for import tax was when I got the Riobot Shin Getter from Amiami. The declared value was just around 13-14k php if I remember correctly, but I got taxed around 6k php. And this was already the cheaper tax because Amiami doesn't include the shipping cost in their declared invoice. If I had purchased it though HLJ it would have been even more expensive.

Not sure if you work for BOC, or if you regularly pay import fees for toys, but from my experience I almost always pay around 40% or so of the total declared value of the item (and yes it's classified as a toy). There are other fixed charges included that are on top of that 22.5%.

But regardless, I'm just saying that even if some shops like NY are marked up by let's say 5-10% more than other online retailers, that's still a lot cheaper than having to pay import taxes.

I ordered figures, models, etc quite frequently (there are months that I visit the local PO every week) when I was still in the Philippines, so quite familiar on how Customs work. And all orders that were taxed, it's always around 22.5% more or less. The only additional fixed fee is the PhilPost fee which is around P 100 at that time. When you say being taxed 40%, are you basing it on just the item value or are you including the shipping cost. Note that the BOC base their duties/tax on Landed cost which includes the shipping cost (the shipping/postage cost will always be included by Japan Post in the package so Customs will see that).

In any case, as per your example, the tax/fee is still quite high even if we take into account the shipping cost, so better check the BOC receipt on the breakdown and how they classify your item. My guess is that they're not classifying it correctly which incurs a higher duty or maybe their basing it on a higher value instead on what's declared.

Anyway, I agree with you that shops like NY allows those with high duties/tax rates to save a bit. Downside is that if it's lost or something, then tough luck (though considering NY's support, I don't think it would be easy to recover even if it's properly declared). Fortunately haven't encountered any lost items from NY.

9 hours ago, ArchieNov said:

Paying $30 more is okay in exchange for security. If only import taxes were that cheap. For this item I estimate the import tax to my country will be around $200+.

that estimate is somewhat exaggerated. Unless there are some significant changes with the BOC tariff schedule (available online), toys in general only have a 10% duty and a 12% vat, so total rate is usually around 22.5% of landed cost (item value + shipping). Assuming total cost including is shipping is ~Y38000, that's around P 17800, so customs fee/tax, should be around 4000 pesos or around $80 USD. If you're being charge significantly more than that, there's definitely a Customs error so better check the current tariff code and make sure your item is classified properly.

3 hours ago, Smacky said:

I have to agree with you there, Canada also sucks balls for import taxes.  I found that AmiAmi and Nin Nin also don't declare full value on their packages either, I haven't had to pay import taxes lately with either of them.  

Good thing here in AB, only charged 5% (hopefully stays that way) in case I'm dinged which is also infrequent.

4 hours ago, General Rasp said:

Nippon-Yasan are just a bunch of scalpers. The 2nd release of the Robot Spirits Nightingale came in and NY is asking for more money. 

"Unfortunately this order is bigger than expected therefore we will have to ask you for additional shipping"

BS, you knew how big the figure was from the first shipment. I am switching to someone else for P-Bandai orders. 

Are the third party proxy site prices comparable to NY, like FromJapan or Buyee? I would just stick with BBTS but US sellers get even more expensive. 

I am paying 29,380 yen with EMS shipping plus the "additional fee" of 1,400 yen for a total of 30,780 yen or 275.02 usd. BBTS list price was 385.00. 

 

 

Is that a PreOrder of the 2nd batch (release this April) or you ordered it after release (in Stock status)? From what I can gather, the 1st and 2nd batch seems to have the same PO period (but different release dates), so if you PO'ed it  then that's the reason why NY don't have the exact shipping during the time of order. But if you order it after release, then I'll be pissed as well if their shipping is not accurate since they should have adjusted it after release. I also encounter NY's shipping shenanigans and not amused by it, but in most cases the total cost is still below alternatives and didn't have any delivery issues with them, that's why still buying from them.

In general when I PO in NY especially for items expected to have big packaging, I always expect that they'll ask more for shipping (at release), so I include that in my calculation. If the alternative sources are cheaper than my calculation or equal, then I might go with the other sources (especially if the alternative is more consistent or have better customer support).

 

Where did you get your metal builds?  Are there any left at a decent price?

the MB Eva was a PO (mykombini), while the MB Crossbone was from Yahoo auctions Japan which I got for around Y26k yen or almost Y27k yen including domestic shipping.  For MB Eva, current retail is already at >30k yen and the same with Yahoo Auctions. So I think it's better to wait for a reissue as Bandai hinted that they might produce it again. As for Crossbone, I think you can still get it below 30k yen on Yahoo Auctions.

Loot for this month.