Special Sauce

It seems like, other than HLJ, it's hard to trust any of these retailers.  Maybe AmiAmi? 

6 minutes ago, drobo said:

Nippon Yassan is up, but at 38480 Yen.

Not sure if things have gotten better with Nippon Yassan, but BUY AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

 

https://www.nippon-yasan.com/figures/34516-dx-chogokin-macross-vf-1j-armored-valkyrie-hikaru-ichijyo.html

 

 

After all the bad things I've heard about them on here, I'll pass.  I already have to deal with Anime Export.

2 minutes ago, Nsr250 said:

I just used Google translate to get through all the hurdles on the premium bandai site to get to the customer feedback page and left them a message. I basically told them that true fans were not getting the toys and scalpers scooping up the toys released them slowly into the market at 2x, 3x MSRP. That's ridiculous. Told them we wanted bandai to make money, not the scalpers. I mentioned strike/ super parts and the 1J heavy armored bundle. I hope they will read my message and do something. If everybody here starts messaging or emailing them, maybe they will get the message and stop doing these silly limited quality releases while knowing full well that there is still huge demand out there. 

Also, people need to stop buying from the scalpers as well.  The prices will only drop and scalpers will only stop using purchase bots if people won't pay their prices and the toys sit and rot.  It's hard.  They're great toys.  We all want them.  I've just been in this position before with other stuff I've collected over the years, same old story.  

43 minutes ago, weiser21 said:

This only helps us if Bandai increases the number of units made.

It will because more retailers will be able to sell them.  Increased demand will necessitate more production, which for a larger company like Bandai, is to their advantage.  Companies that large consider it a successful year if they have 2% or better in profit.  The way to do it is sheer number of unit sales in most cases.  I'm not saying they'll do it because I don't know their thinking but it wouldn't surprise me if it eventually gets a little easier to get what we want.  With Macross being open to the entire world now, I would say it would be bad business if Bandai, Arcadia etc. didn't take advantage of this huge new audience that have been starving for products of their favorite, popular franchise.

9 minutes ago, Sanity is Optional said:

There was a HMR add-on with missile launch effects.

I've seen those too.  They're pretty neat.  For what they cost it would be nice to see more accessories like that added.  Of course it would probably end up being a Tamashii Nations exclusive 

3 minutes ago, rocketblast said:

All my Roys from ebay shipped in a box that was just big enough to fit the valk in.  none got dinged or damaged luckily.

My few Ebay purchases have also gone well.  It's how I got my VF-31S and armor set.  Seller actually dropped the price a good chunk after PM'ing him and he shipped them like they could withstand a nuclear blast. 

1 minute ago, vladykins said:

Mine was boxed. I thought I had a picture of my unboxing but I'm not finding it. Definitely wasn't in a bag.

That's good.  Maybe the bag thing was just an outlier

3 minutes ago, rocketblast said:

I bought all my Roys from Ebay.  Probably going to do the same thing with this one after it is released.  This preorder business is garbage.

I'm kinda with you there @rocketblast I hate Ebay but it's better than dealing with losing sleep for nothing.  I really hope now that the HG/BW deal is done some American retailers can start carrying Macross stuff again.

1 minute ago, obakesan said:

They recently introduced pay later on their website as part of revamp however the price will be more expensive slightly than pay up front. Something I wished they did but not at a higher price lol and with the DX don't mind paying up front if helps secure one. 

Yeah except when you pay them for it only to tell you AFTER you email them asking why you didn't get a order confirmation and they say whoops you didn't get it and then don't refund your money.  It literally takes seconds to issue a refund through Paypal.  It should have been automatic when I brought it to their attention.  Instead I've been waiting for the last 6 hours to issue it back.  I'll probably have to wind up disputing it through Paypal.  First and Last time I order from AE.  I don't know how it's even possible for me to pay for an order after it was out of stock.  None of it seems right.

Just now, weiser21 said:

They bubble wrapped (single layer) my item and put it in a DHL plastic shipping bag. It got here, but only one box corner was intact. Also, they sat on it until I pinged them at which time they asked for extra shipping,

Yikes.  That sounds pretty bad.  

4 minutes ago, vladykins said:

Luna Park shipped my Roy pretty quickly and it had a bigger issue with getting stuck in HK customs than anything that was LP's fault. Still got here pretty fast.

How was yours packed @vladykins was it better than weiser21?

44 minutes ago, lavinrac said:

I'm still hoping the rest of the missiles will be 'somehow' removable. Even if the upper ones are just painted tips on a flat plastic base...

I'm holding out hope for a effects kit with itano circus type 'missile trails' .. that could include the missiles that don't come on the GBP.  *fingers crossed*  Actually I guess if they are not removeable the 'smoke cloud' could effectively just tab in over top.

 

That would be a pretty nice kit.  They really should do those.  The only one I've seen that had anything like that was the VF-19 punch effect.  There might be others but that's the only one I know of

6 minutes ago, weiser21 said:

I paid a huge markup for Roy only to find that Roys were available the day of release. I also have had shipping issues with Luna Park in the past so I stay away from them if I can.

@weiser21 What were your shipping issues with them?

1 minute ago, spacemanoeuvres said:

450 dang. I don’t understand how there are two editions? Is this normally the case?

I'm not even sure what they're talking about in regards to another edition.  

So Anime Export processed my order, took my money, then told me that they can't fulfill my order but still haven't issued my refund.  What the hell is that nonsense?  

17 minutes ago, seti88 said:

Nice!

Whats that in the panel corner? Removable missiles?!

Yeah, I believe it's only the leg missiles though

1 hour ago, uzernaem said:

Hi everyone. A noob here, looking for recommendations for my first valkyrie purchase.

My first exposure to Macross was Robotech sometime in early to mid 90's. I've owned a junky KO Roy Focker 1/55 valk at that time. So, I've rewatched Macross again recently, proper Japanese version, then DYRL. Naturally, the nostalgia kicked in and I decided to get a proper VF-1S this time.

My first idea was to look for a legit 1/55, but to my disappointment, the latest rerelease was almost 20 years ago, so finding one unused at a reasonable price is out of the question. So, studying other options I've came up with this so far (big thanks to anymoon.com for the reviews):

Hi-Metal R: I've decided against it because my nostalgia is bound to a bigger toy. Furthermore, for the level of detail these toys have, the second hand market prices are too much.

Arcadia: would be ideal, but again, second hand prices are too much. For the same amount of money I can get a DX Chogokin one, which looks like a superior choice.

These option are the ones that I currently choosing between:

1) Pre-ordering KitzConcept VF-1S v2.
Pros:
Looks like KC valks have a good amount of detail. Also I can get a super pack version at a very reasonable price. Good customer service.
Cons: While Robotech licensing does not bother me at all, I *feel* like I would want a second one, this time DYRL related, in the future. 99% KC won't make one, although I wonder if new HG and BW agreement opens this possibility for them.

2) DX Chogokin. I see unused ones sold at Mandarake for about 27000 yen, which is, while far from MSRP, is reasonable for a valk of this detail.
Pros: it's magnificent and superior to other valks.
Cons: Strike parts are sold separately, for around 50% of the valks price. Being a second hand item from Japan, no customer support for me.

Any other recommendations? Thank you!

There's a site called http://jungle-scs.co.jp/sale_en/  They sell used Valks as well.  You can also check the For Sale section for better deals here: http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/forum/9-for-sale-trade/ Check it often as people put stuff up for sale all the time.  Lastly check here for a list of retailers who sell the items you're looking for: 

So I contacted Bombusbee to get an answer about the total price for those who ordered from them.  I didn't order from them because I was able to score elsewhere.  Hopefully this helps.  Here was their response:

1 minute ago, Duymon said:

Yeah you should get 2 emails. 1 for the order, 1 for the payment

Nice.  I haven't gotten mine yet.  Hopefully soon.

8 minutes ago, Duymon said:

word. I just paid out of habit but no worry AE has always pulled thru

@Duymon they eventually send you an email notification for your order?  It's in my order history and I have my Paypal confirmation, just not sure if they send anything as well.

Did anyone else see an option to wait to pay until the product was in stock at AE?  I didn't see one.  I just assumed I had to pay up front.  Their price was a little cheaper anyway.

Whew, got one at AE.  Paid up front just like everybody else.  Too panicked to look for a different option 

2 minutes ago, jvmacross said:

https://hobby-genki.com/en/dx-chogokin/1226-dx-chogokin-vf-1j-armored-valkyrie-hikaru-ichijyo-macross-4573102614513.html

33,000 JPY

I assume limit of 1 per customer

I thought they already sold there's so that's good.  Another option.

Ready for a late night.  Good luck everyone!

1 hour ago, MarcoAntonio said:

hello 

 

I recently bought a 1/48 roy chogokin dx, but it came with the die-cast part folded over. Does anyone know the solution or where can I contact, 

 

ty your reply

pictures: https://ibb.co/dt4wbvc
https://ibb.co/Tcj9gTP

Looks like the bar is bent too but it could just be the angle of the photo.  Where did you buy it?

Is Nin-Nin a good place to PO from?  Just wondering if anyone has ordered from them before and if they had a good experience?