PsYcHoDyNaMiX

I guess bandai didn't want to make a Metal Build Testament Gundam (yet) seeing as it would require almost a whole new mold for the MS, lol.

Two pics from my poopy camera lol. I don't own any HiRM but the blue doesn't appear to be painted, but molded. 

1 hour ago, Mommar said:

Why do a world wide release of the base fighter and then make the expansion parts Japan only?

idk... that's bandai marketing for you. But to tbf I presume the ghost set was originally announced to compliment the first edition release of the VF-31AX Hayate.

Bandai may prob bring the ghost to the PBUS market later idk...

4 hours ago, no3Ljm said:

Preorder for DX VF-31AX Kairos Plus SUPER GHOST Set will start on February 5, 2023 11pm JST.
May 2023 Release for Y11000. Tamashii Web Exclusive / P-Bandai release.

I think the Ghost set will only be available until the 5th and not start. Unless there was some kind of announcement made that it'll be extended/reopened.

3 hours ago, kajnrig said:

Just updating:

I contacted GMC via their store contact page. No reply.

Contacted GMC via their provided customer service email.

Opened a claim with UPS.

GMC replied to the email saying UPS had started an investigation.

UPS completed the investigation, saying a claim has been sent to GMC, and for me to contact GMC.

I emailed GMC Tuesday 1/17 letting them know. No response.

Emailed GMC again this morning. Awaiting reply.

 

(It just occurred to me that it's around Chinese New Year period, maybe why no response yet. Maybe I jumped the gun a bit on that last email, oops.)

Snip and sketch on my desktop wasnt working...

6 minutes ago, Master Dex said:

Well that answers the first part... Now I just gotta figure out where to order it. I couldn't find it on my phone following links from the Tamashii site. 

I'll try to look again on PC later. 

You cannot order from the links provided from the tamashii website as premium bandai japan blocks ips/regions outside of japan from accessing their site. Youll need a vpn or workaround to bypass just to view. The links provided on the pbjp sites will not sell even if you are able to access the page.  They have extensive checks japan region issued credit card, mailing address etc. 

Youre better off with a 3rd party site like animeexport, etc. or middleman/proxy service.

TBF the DX VF-1D pbjp preorder window had gone through something similar. It was open for a while, was available to order up until the close of the window and when it ended, released, all the FOMO and price gouging kicked in.... 🤦‍♂️

48 minutes ago, kajnrig said:

Shoulda knocked on wood, I guess.

https://www.gundammodelcenter.com/MECHCORE-MASX-0033-EXS-EX-S

So I said last post about buying this kit, and it's supposed to be here today but hasn't updated tracking since the 4th. 

This is my first time having this happen to me, but I know some of you have horror stories to tell. Should I contact UPS, or the store? Should I be looking for a refund? a replacement? If the store fights back, who do I file a charge back claim with, PayPal or my CC?

Thanks, everyone.

GMC is usually pretty good. I've ordered so much through them had 0 orders (knock on wood) never arrive. The 4th was last Wednesday and it shipped from their LA warehouse via UPS. The shipping estimate on the site says 6-12 days, I would honestly wait. It's a huge box. Try contacting GMC or message Yong Luo on their facebook group. PP or your CC company should have no issue disputing if it doesn't arrive after the estimated time.

Contact UPS too!

5 hours ago, Stranger said:

Luna Park question - I've seen several people remark about how their shipping leaves much to be desired. If I don't want to go through PO Night Madness and don't care about the condition the box arrives in, is Luna Park a safe option to pre-order an item? Or do they have other reasons for their reputation such as taking people's money?

Might definitely be O/T because the responses to the question. In short try to avoid Luna Park Store. My one experience and only experience (after reading many other bad exp...), after a week plus of the preordered item being in stock (they already marked up the price from PO listing) I had to actually email them to get them to start the package prep/shipping of my PreOrder. AND yes their shipping is much to be desired. No padding, nothing... probably one of the thinnest cardboard boxes that sized exactly the shape of the item box which was wrapped in a DHL bag. It arrived smushed, but the item luckily was not damaged. They charge more for shipping by weight and mark the weight down when it actually shipped so they paid way less. IIRC the difference was in the range of 15$, for that amount they could've at least thrown a lining of thin bubblewrap around it, but nope.

TLDR: AVOID. Theyre near Nippon Yasan 2.0, lol. Don't buy into their premium account bs either. If a business was good it wouldn't stoop to such practices off the bat.

13 minutes ago, kajnrig said:

I'm seeing you guys share links with prices of ~$3k or more. What's the retail price of this thing again, somewhere around 100,000 JPY/$1000?

7 minutes ago, Armval said:

Here is the retail price in Yen with shipping.

172000 + 51480 (fedex priority shipping to California SF)

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10906489
The actual MSRP is suppose to be 189,200 JPY

GM GFFMC:

Awesome work as always! One of my favorite MSs to boot! Yea I know the pain of the kit as well, but you did an excellent job and it shows!

Not including import fees... 😭

3 hours ago, Chunky001 said:

Looks like they have another:

https://www.hobbydigi.com/zh_hant_hk/bandai-metal-structure-action-figure-msn-04-sazabi-mobile-suit-gundam

Out of curiosity I threw it in a cart to see what shipping was to the US. About $550. Total $3950USD with the exchange rate right now. But the real sketchy part is they don't seem like they accept credit cards (at least not directly) and it doesn't say what shipping service they're using. If I was to pay $4000 (I'm not) I had better be able to put it on my Chase Sapphire international card that has great exchange rates and killer protections. And it better ship DHL.

Don't forget the customs importing fees. Subject to customs fee for anything coming in over $800 USD.

@anubis20 Excellent work as always!!! 

4 hours ago, Mommar said:

This might be the fifth time.  Chuck was also shown.

6th+ because theyre looking to re-release Hayates, and '+' because maybe others (re-release mirage)? Idk lol... 

I really hope Bandai improves their QC (I know their production lines out of China are probably taking a hit as they're still doing Covid Lockdowns/Quarantines) and it doesn't plague the YF-19 re-release and the YF-21.

I saw pics posted on FB that they're making the VF-0D version too.

FB VF-0D Pics: https://www.facebook.com/groups/357754304585336/?multi_permalinks=1791470014547084&hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen

2 minutes ago, twich said:

Are these new pictures from some recent event?

Twich

Yea Tamashi Nations 2022 which is starting/started this week/weekend. 11/18

Check the 'What's next for Bandai' thread.

10 minutes ago, seti88 said:

hmm does the fuselage look thicker in the latest photo or is it a camera angle thing?

Did they change anything since kawamori-san has some comments the last time?

color-wise I won’t comment, hope it isn’t a type of a plastic change...

It definitely looks thicker/wider especially around the center body where it starts. The pics from years ago look narrower. But all of this could just be the lighting and angle which I really doubt. I guess we should be trying to look for clear indications if they're actually two different prototypes are the same one from years ago. So far most of the markings look about the same.

7 hours ago, kajnrig said:

I forget what the Extreme feature of this kit is again. I recall the majority of the advertised features being a variety of plate coatings as well as some runners molded in different formulations of "gold." Is there lighting and/or metal parts?

12 minutes ago, Big s said:

The extreme feature is the gold frame in its multi colored goldness. That and its supposed golden articulation with the golden frame.

I really wasn’t excited to be honest, but gundams themselves aren’t that exciting to me very often. I also wasn’t a seed fan, but I could see someone who is a fan loving it.

Also... a open hatch-ish feature to reveal all the glorious gold, lol. I missed the POs -_-. It's a reg release so I figured I could wait. 

@anubis20 @no3Ljm: there's also metal parts for the MG Kyrios, Dynames, Virtue from 00. Also metal parts for the MG Freedom, Justice and Providence. None of which I got since I never bought the addons.

2 hours ago, anubis20 said:

Oh I have not seen those! Might need to pick up a couple. 

Yup! (not my pic)

2 minutes ago, anubis20 said:

Havent seen one yet. I only know of the ones for the MG SEED 2.0 kits, the MG Gat-X kits, Barbatos, Nu, Hi-Nu, and Sazabi. 

Also... MG Seed Zaku...