Fan-backed Hasbro project: Unicron

[DaptoDog]

I really want this. If I could I would have it shipped to my MYUS shipping address, it would only cost ~$120 to have it shipped here. But alas I assume they won't accept an Australian card for payment?

Ultimately the dollar amount isn't the crucial hurdle, but rather how to get it here. BBTS estimate around a $400 shipping cost, but it's likely to be more.
It's likely Unicron will be boxed in planet mode with the rings detached, so based on planet diameter of roughly 15 inches (30 inch dimensions of the planet with rings, based off imagery the rings account for half the total diameter) a safe estimated box size will be a 20inch cube, or roughly 50cm cubed.

USPS quotes me a tick under $500usd.
Using shipito's calc gave me options between $300-$400usd.

Long story short, plenty more cash on top.

I've checked the terms of the MyUS shipping rates based on weight. They specify their rates "excludes oversized shipments and palletized shipments with linear dimensions greater than 80 inches (203 cm).​".

Linear dimensions simply means to add the length, width and depth of the package. So taking Borgeman's assumptions of a 20 inch cube would give 60 inch linear dimensions, well within the 80 inch limit and therefore giving us some leeway on the dimensions.

Then it all comes down to weight. We know that Unicron has a weight of 19 pounds. So if we very conservatively assume a packaged weight of 30 pounds, it gives a shipping cost of US$143 using Fedex Economy. But I'm a member and pay with Amex, which gives me a 30% discount off this rate. Therefore given the current A$ is 0.70, my estimated cost is A$143, way cheaper than BBTS and Shipito that base their charges on volumetric weight.

You can test this for yourself at https://www.myus.com/pricing/

The only risk I can see is if MyUS changes their policy and moves to volumetric weight at some point before this is released in 2021.

[philby]

How is BBTS offering pre orders on something which is not even potentially being made?

[Borgeman]

I've checked the terms of the MyUS shipping rates based on weight. They specify their rates "excludes oversized shipments and palletized shipments with linear dimensions greater than 80 inches (203 cm).?".

Linear dimensions simply means to add the length, width and depth of the package. So taking Borgeman's assumptions of a 20 inch cube would give 60 inch linear dimensions, well within the 80 inch limit and therefore giving us some leeway on the dimensions.

Then it all comes down to weight. We know that Unicron has a weight of 19 pounds. So if we very conservatively assume a packaged weight of 30 pounds, it gives a shipping cost of US$143 using Fedex Economy. But I'm a member and pay with Amex, which gives me a 30% discount off this rate. Therefore given the current A$ is 0.70, my estimated cost is A$143, way cheaper than BBTS and Shipito that base their charges on volumetric weight.

You can test this for yourself at https://www.myus.com/pricing/

The only risk I can see is if MyUS changes their policy and moves to volumetric weight at some point before this is released in 2021.

Yeah, if you can secure a weight based shipping that instantly becomes tolerable, because the killer is the volumetric size of the box.

If all else fails, I'll speak to some family I have in Toronto, and ship it to them, while simultaneously planning a USA/Canada holiday, and bring it back with me.
The one benefit of a 2021 release is we'd have all that time to concoct a financially viable plan for shipping.

[griffin]

I can understand why they want this out in 2021 (the 35th anniversary of the movie that introduced Unicron) and that's probably why they have such a short pre-order period because they are short on time to have it produced... but I'd rather have it delayed 6 months and maybe come out at the end of 2021 or early 2022, just to guarantee it happening by allowing us to have a six month payment plan and sold through other Hasbro branches.
We've waited 35 years for a mostly accurate Unicron toy, we can wait another 6 months.

[UltraMarginal]

Exclusive interview with John Warden. Pretty much confirms this is a Masterpiece Unicron. Also the teeth can be shown or hidden.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ISQKvz5o4b4

I was going to post this up but you beat me to it, this is a really interesting interview.

I've checked the terms of the MyUS shipping rates based on weight. They specify their rates "excludes oversized shipments and palletized shipments with linear dimensions greater than 80 inches (203 cm).​".

Linear dimensions simply means to add the length, width and depth of the package. So taking Borgeman's assumptions of a 20 inch cube would give 60 inch linear dimensions, well within the 80 inch limit and therefore giving us some leeway on the dimensions.

Then it all comes down to weight. We know that Unicron has a weight of 19 pounds. So if we very conservatively assume a packaged weight of 30 pounds, it gives a shipping cost of US$143 using Fedex Economy. But I'm a member and pay with Amex, which gives me a 30% discount off this rate. Therefore given the current A$ is 0.70, my estimated cost is A$143, way cheaper than BBTS and Shipito that base their charges on volumetric weight.

You can test this for yourself at https://www.myus.com/pricing/

The only risk I can see is if MyUS changes their policy and moves to volumetric weight at some point before this is released in 2021.

So I've checked MyUS, I agree their rates are very competitive, is there a reason you didn't choose the budget economy option?it's another $US 16 cheaper and only a potentially 2 days slower.

they all seem to have similar details, it's not like you're going to consolidate something with Unicron

Do you know what the 'Postal Clearance not Included' means? it seems to be the same for all their shipping items, does that mean we have to broker it ourselves when it comes into the country?

[DaptoDog]

So I've checked MyUS, I agree their rates are very competitive, is there a reason you didn't choose the budget economy option?it's another $US 16 cheaper and only a potentially 2 days slower.

they all seem to have similar details, it's not like you're going to consolidate something with Unicron

Do you know what the 'Postal Clearance not Included' means? it seems to be the same for all their shipping items, does that mean we have to broker it ourselves when it comes into the country?

I select FedEx (either Economy or Express) because they've been super reliable for dozens of shipments from MyUS. I've gotten to a first name basis with our FedEx delivery guy and he always calls me to check if we want the package left when we are not home. He's even popped back at the end of the day to drop them off on occasion. The budget economy option is slower and doesn't state who they use to ship. I prefer certainty, particularly on such a high value item.

Got no idea what that term refers to but we've never had any issues with receiving packages so I wouldn't worry about it. Might be something to do with customs but they collect GST so it won't get held up. Also their postcode has 0 US sales tax applied so you won't get charged that on top of GST.

The MyUS membership has a US$60 annual fee but it is waived for two years if you use either the Amex offer or Visa offer. Just google MyUS Amex offer or Visa offer and you will find the links.

[fatbot]

Another way of doing it is to preorder with TFSOURCE, you’re paying a $200 premium for it, but it does give you nearly 2 years to come up with the money. Plus it is free domestic shipping to your remailer, with no deposit required to secure the toy.

[tinyJazz]

Very convenient of BBTS to take preorders.

Do you know what the 'Postal Clearance not Included' means? it seems to be the same for all their shipping items, does that mean we have to broker it ourselves when it comes into the country?

Maybe it’s this? From shopmates terms : “Items valued over $2,500 USD will be subject to an additional customs clearance procedure in the USA” you need a Shipper’s Export Declaration Form (SED) to complete.

Or, you’re right and it does mean import duties in Aus. I know from experience DHL will actually handle all the paperwork and just invoice you the cost.

Might be best to email their customer service for a clear answer.

[DaptoDog]

Very convenient of BBTS to take preorders.



Maybe it’s this? From shopmates terms : “Items valued over $2,500 USD will be subject to an additional customs clearance procedure in the USA” you need a Shipper’s Export Declaration Form (SED) to complete.

Or, you’re right and it does mean import duties in Aus. I know from experience DHL will actually handle all the paperwork and just invoice you the cost.

Might be best to email their customer service for a clear answer.

This will have a value less than $1,000 and GST is collected by the forwarder (MyUS) so I don't see any issues in either scenario. Again I've never had any customs clearance issues on my shipments.

[UltraMarginal]

Well, if another opportunity doesn't present itself before this dealio finishes I think I'll be going the MyUS method, it's definitely a reasonable option and saves me hassling my US mate with a monstrosity at no savings to me.

I was thinking I could give him the cash to have it as extra checked baggage on a return flight from the States to AU, which he does most Christmases but it's still US$175 for the privilege assuming he flies Qantas.