mpchi Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 http://www.collectiondx.com/article/a_visi...hobbylink_japan Thanks to JoshB at collectionDX, we have an awesome article, interview, and a video tour of our favorited (or hated for some) toy source HLJ warehouse. Man what a trip! Wish I was there, and now I have a much better idea how my toys went from the shelves (drool...) to my door steps. Enjoy folks. And thanks again for all the work JoshB and folks at collection DX to put this together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geepogi Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 wow! just wow! better than going to toys r us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ignacio Ocamica Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Toy and model kit heaven!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
logos Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 (edited) ............Oh my........... ............want.............. ...........couldn't afford it all................ ..............I would never be allowed in there because I would first steal a pallet mover and then proceed to ransack the place. All the while screaming hysterically at the top of my lungs "Gotta catch them all! HeHeHeHeHeHeHeHeHeHeHeHe!" Seriously though if I had access to something like that my will power would go out the window and I would be eating boiled shoes for a loooong time. I think sometimes it's a good thing a have to mail order everything. Although with all the money I would save on shipping. Edited April 4, 2009 by logos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UN Spacy Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Darn. I wanted to hear more about the distributing issues with Macross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cent Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 So uh... Who's coming with me and my ski mask to Japan this month? >_> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bri Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Wow, the HLJ place is just so much more advanced then I thought. Imagined a kind of small warehouse ran by a few employees doing the online stuff, not a company of this size and scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dante74 Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Darn. I wanted to hear more about the distributing issues with Macross. Me too! He was just about to get to the good stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hingtgen Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Wow, the HLJ place is just so much more advanced then I thought. Imagined a kind of small warehouse ran by a few employees doing the online stuff, not a company of this size and scale. It wasn't THAT long ago where it was literally a closet. Best line: "You know those cool air filled bags that cushion your order? Those are filled right here in the factory. Open one up, and you are breathing Japanese air". Because we all know valks fly best when they're surrounded by Japanese air. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MACROSSF Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 Wow... Now I want to see Over Drive warehouse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VFTF1 Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 I wonder if Freud ever wrote about Warehouse envy? That's what I've got a case of now Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasonc Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 That must've been a great tour to go through. The fact that the warehouse is so big definitely shows where my money goes when I order through them. Imagine winning a 5 minute shopping spree, all you can grab? What section was the Macross toys in??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tank Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 wow just wow a costco of toys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacrossMan Posted April 4, 2009 Share Posted April 4, 2009 I'm clueless...someone please fill me in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacrossJunkie Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 That place is pretty incredible. They have a pretty impressive setup. I think it would be pretty cool to work there. I'm surprised I only saw a YF-19 and Ghost booster box on the return/damaged goods shelf, unless there were more Yamato Macross items in that Yamato cardboard box on that second from the top shelf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vegas Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 wow. i think ive wet my pants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiroikaze Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 (edited) Oh man, I think I kinda got a bit dizzy watching the video... I think it's from the vast ocean of toys and kits and jerky movements... Edited April 5, 2009 by shiroikaze Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
505thAirborne Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 So uh... Who's coming with me and my ski mask to Japan this month? >_> The black ski masks are on isle 5 at Target, Lets do this thing!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacrossMan Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Wow! Talk about a cool trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crasis Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Darn. I wanted to hear more about the distributing issues with Macross. I know!! I was starting to zone out a bit until the subject of Macross distribution came up...and then the video cuts away. Right at the juicy part! Damn! It is nice to see where all my money is going, though. Heh. I'd almost be too scared to visit there, though... I don't know how much self-restraint I could show. My poor bank account would be empty in minutes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VF-19 Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 I know!! I was starting to zone out a bit until the subject of Macross distribution came up...and then the video cuts away. Right at the juicy part! Damn! It is nice to see where all my money is going, though. Heh. I'd almost be too scared to visit there, though... I don't know how much self-restraint I could show. My poor bank account would be empty in minutes. Minutes? I could do it in seconds! Awesome article! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geepogi Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Minutes? I could do it in seconds! i don't see myself having the same problem as you guys. i'll be bringing my wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfx Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Wow, the HLJ place is just so much more advanced then I thought. Imagined a kind of small warehouse ran by a few employees doing the online stuff, not a company of this size and scale. It definately was much smaller 3 years ago before they moved to their new place. I visited the old place which was basically a large warehouse in a country suburb in Gunma. The road walking towards HLJ Ye Olde HLJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ntsan Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Wow so they have grown a lot during those 3 years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VFTF1 Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 (edited) Heh I remember when, about ...what?...8 years ago?...I order PVC MEGA Hotrod and Megatron from them. To this day I have NEVER gotten them But I forgive them Pete Edited April 6, 2009 by VFTF1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m0n5t3r Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 pretty awesome that they have one whole block filled w/ macross stuff only... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfx Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 pretty awesome that they have one whole block filled w/ macross stuff only... This used to be the macross shelf....which was only about 1-2 shelves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whatever_Guy Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 wow, that's awezome, wish i could stroll through there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr.chogokin Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Ye Olde HLJ LEADER! I thought he only mooches in a design firm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharky Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 I agree with everyone that I wish they had got into the licensing issues more. From the little they did discuss it sounds like it does not affect them as a 3rd party seller. My take on it is that they didn't make the toys, they just export them. They are not selling them in the US. We are virtually buying them in Japan, and having them shipped over here after the actual sale. It's been my experience that HLJ is a 1st rate company. They have always done right by me. Even when there was a mix-up, they corrected their mistake greatly to my favor. Looks like a good place to work. What a fun job for the person(s) that open up the items to take pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
transfan52 Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 OMG WOW!... Haha I've been a long time customer of HLJ for many years but I never expected HQ to look as nice and as pristine as it does. Even the warehouse looks spotless and isn't what I usually think of when someone mentions a warehouse. This guy must be making big bucks to have such a nice facility especially in japan. All those expensive toys in that warehouse make me dizzy. I'm not used to seeing all those yamato valks and SOCS lying around along with all the gunpla and everything else. Only thing I hate is the high shipping cost to the USA especially if its an EMS shipment. Still if you're looking for the latest releases from japan this site always has it before ne one else. Seems like it took a lot of work for Mr.Hards to get to where he is now. But with the falling economy nowadays otaku hobbies aren't the best business. Still I wish him the best and many thanks for years of awesome customer service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron5864 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I am surprised too at how clean, organized and efficient it is. If Toyota had operated a toy distribution center, it would probably look like that. It puts to shame a lot of the toy and hobby stores here in the US. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_Unit Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Their warehouse is a lot bigger and a lot cleaner than I though. I just got a $59 1/48 Angel Bird from them today to go with the $56 Urban Armor from Angolz. It's good to know when they have a clearance sale they'll likely have plenty of stock to pick from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruskiiVFaussie Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 toy heaven. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
optimator88 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 I can't believe that I lived in Ashikaga-shi, Tochigi for a full year and didn't know HLJ was in Sano, only a 15 minute train ride! Thats right when I was just becoming aware of Macross toys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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