damn awesome store. I found the nakano store was a bit better for transformers
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damn awesome store. I found the nakano store was a bit better for transformers
Rank 8 - Deluxe Member
Heh, I couldn't do it when I was in Tokyo last time because my wife had already given me an entire day to hang out with Transfans and visit various stores in Osaka... that was my "Transformers day," and the rest of the trip was meant to be focused on other stuff.Originally Posted by evandouglas86
Still, I had great fun in Osaka just talking with fans... you get some interesting insights from Japanese fans that Western fans don't necessarily discuss or think about and also vice versa -- so it was like a geeky cultural exchange.
I'm sure that was just a typo, but I've noticed some people here say "Mandrake." For those who may not know, it's "Mandarake" (say "Mun-dah-rah-keh").One problem w/ writing Japanese words in Romaji is that your brain does sometimes 'autocorrect' them into English words.
Rank 6 - Dedicated Member
thanks for the info Gok, I am unsure I been there before. perhaps I missed it.
I was in one of those buildings where they have like lockers below where people sell private stuff, then upstairs were like heaps of kits etc...
Online store
Tried buying TF toys on their online store on 3 different occasions in the space of 2 months with no success. The last being only yesterday. On every occasion I 'purchased' the items only to get an email the next day notifying me that they are really sorry the item is no longer available. They need to update their stock availability more regularly. Won't be using these guys again.
Rank 3 - Basic Member
Coincidentally, I've recently discovered their online store. Reading other people's experiences, which were mostly positive, I gave it a crack (bought a 2010 predaking). It is on it's way, so I'll post some final thoughts when it arrives, but this has been my experience so far.
The descriptions on the website are pretty much useless (everyone is pretty much box opened/damaged), and the photo's are usually 1 or 2 max.
However, I found contacting the store that has the stock is a worthwhile exercise, because they respond within 24 hours (my experience), even on weekends. I did so for shipping quotes (tempted by a few things on there), and got responses each time. Their english is limited (or brief), but I got the info I needed each time (so comprehension isn't an issue). So I'd recommend emailing them first if you haven't been doing that!
The only sour points for me during the process was 2 parts.
Firstly, they took 3+ days to invoice me after the sale. The cynical side of me thinks they were holding off in case they could sell it locally. They themselves say the invoice process takes 2 days. That thought certainly isn't helped by the poor experience I had when inquiring about photo's of the figures themselves (as all items seem to have opened boxes). They were really helpful with pictures of box damage (5 or 6 photos), but when it came to figures, I got a response implying that photos will not show the condition of the figures....
My first thought was, rightttttttt....I agree to a certain extent (i.e. Joint tightness), but things like scratches, dints, QC issues etc can clearly be shown by photos. Sounded like just plain laziness.
I responded very politely disagreeing with that sentiment. After a impatient (borderline rude) response from them, photos came through, with the figures' covered by the blister packs!
At that point I was willing to give up, but reading other people's experiences, it seems like these guys take care in the toys they acquire for resale, so I took the plunge (it certainly helped that a reissue predaking sold for $150 excl shipping on ebay just last week, and my price + shipping was very reasonable imo). I won't condemn the store due to one employee (my correspondence with the Nakano store has been quite good).
Anyway, I'll post my thoughts on the figures condition when they come in (fingers crossed this week).
Rank 8 - Deluxe Member
I'm planning to visit when I go to Japan this September. Is it very easy to find? I'm pretty sure the group is going to Akihabara, hopefully I can find it quickly, since I don't think we have much time around.
Seeking the Following:
- CW Brawl
- Earthrise Runabout
- Earthrise Thrust
Rank 8 - Deluxe Member
I wish Mandarake would open a store in Australia, say in Sydney as it's flagship, I think it would do well, I mean the market is there, we have the big nerd conventions Oz wide now; the closest I have seen in terms of a pop culture superstore is Minotaur in Melbourne. Mandarake having their roots in Japan would have access to items that many of us would snap up in a minute.
Rank 6 - Dedicated Member
Not hard, get out from the station, is just there actually unless I am wrong.
This isn't the best place for MISB collectors. But they do sell sealed condition occasionally.
My only critic is that EMS is the only method they be using if not DHL.
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Study the map on this page (ignore the food sections
(sorry, lots of photos on that page... but if you save a copy of that map and print it out, or have on your phone, you can find it fast from the train-station as it is a bit of a maze of tall buildings)
Rank 8 - Deluxe Member
The Akihabara one shouldn't be hard to find. It's a big black building on a street corner with multi-level pop-culture madness.
The Shibuya store is in the basement of the BEAM mall, however keep a lookout for the sign/logo on street level.
The Nakano stores were a pain in the arse to find as they were inside a mall and up on the 3rd floor or something. However it was closing time and I was in quite a rush.
There's better stores in Akihabara but most will take effort to find, which may not be fun if you're travelling in a group.
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