MP 20 Wheeljack and 21 Bumblebee

[drifand]

Just be aware that HLJ don't pack their boxes with any padding, styro etc. In my experience all i received was the item heat wrapped in plastic with a cardboard backer & put in the shipping carton. Not as bad as Amazon, but not as good as BBTS either

That doesn't sound correct, if anything HLJ has the best packaging I gotten so far.

Depending on amounts ordered and size certain postage options are better than another. I have no issues with ANY of the Japanese online stores coming in SAL uninsured.

I do not understand why Amiami is forever sold out for almost every single toy released. Seriously, I don't understand. either they do not stock up at all or something.

[kurdt_the_goat]

Surprisingly Amazon Japan currently has Wheeljack on preorder for full retail! And so far no news of any exclusive bonus content. Oh well, looks like I'll be sticking w/ HLJ on this one then (unless Amazon drops their price and/or offers some groovy bonus goodie ).

Amazon's initial listing is almost always full retail. They'll revise it some point afterwards to be competitive. You can order now (in case they sell out) because their preorder price guarantee and no fuss cancellation will cover you should you decide to get it somewhere else.

[Hursticon]

That doesn't sound correct, if anything HLJ has the best packaging I gotten so far.

Each of my Datos came exactly as Sinnertwin described, my FortMax & Metroplex had a single layer of bubble-wrap enshrouding them - that said, even though that all sounds iffy in writing, I've not received anything damaged by transit from HLJ to date.

I do not understand why Amiami is forever sold out for almost every single toy released. Seriously, I don't understand. either they do not stock up at all or something.

The going opinion seems to be that they're a smaller store than HLJ and only ever seem to procure a limited amount of stock; whether that's because they don't have as much buying power, or TFs just not being a primary focus? - Who knows.

[drifand]

Each of my Datos came exactly as Sinnertwin described, my FortMax & Metroplex had a single layer of bubble-wrap enshrouding them - that said, even though that all sounds iffy in writing, I've not received anything damaged by transit from HLJ to date.



The going opinion seems to be that they're a smaller store than HLJ and only ever seem to procure a limited amount of stock; whether that's because that don't have as much buying power or TFs just not being a primary focus? - Who knows.

Yeah I have not gotten anything damaged from hlj, but in comparison to most places I ordered their packaging is heaps better.

As for Amiami, I heard they are one of the largest store but their online inventory for toys are always shocking. Is like within 2 minutes is always sold out. Their hobby kits were one of the only things so far I could order with no hassles. But for toys is almost mere impossible. I noticed this for Transformer masterpiece, chogokins or any popular hot toy as they have low prices.

Anime Export has cheapest so far, but I have not ordered from them regularly and you have to pay upfront. HLJ has the best ordering system I know so far.

[kurdt_the_goat]

Each of my Datos came exactly as Sinnertwin described, my FortMax & Metroplex had a single layer of bubble-wrap enshrouding them - that said, even though that all sounds iffy in writing, I've not received anything damaged by transit from HLJ to date.



The going opinion seems to be that they're a smaller store than HLJ and only ever seem to procure a limited amount of stock; whether that's because they don't have as much buying power, or TFs just not being a primary focus? - Who knows.

Because they're small they probably don't want to be left with unsold stock like you see on the bigger retailers. Similar thing happens with local video game outlets in Japan, if they over order eventually they have to compete with clearance prices elsewhere and lose out. I think they come across as bigger than they actually are since they were one of the first retailers to get an English presence. There's heaps and heaps of similar sized retailers on Rakuten Japan that just don't deal with English customers at all and are also quickly and forever sold out.

[kurdt_the_goat]

The join/gap on the chest is going to bother me if the paint apps don't hide it a little.

Yeah it's interesting that the chest looks identical in both modes, so presumably that split is just a result of those pieces needing to move during transformation to give some other piece clearance. Hopefully his paint apps will probably do a decent enough job masking it, I just hope it lines up and holds in place securely.

My only real complaint so far is the back of his feet look a bit floaty, but that's just a design pet peeve of mine really and probably isn't obvious from most angles.

[Hursticon]

Yeah I have not gotten anything damaged from hlj, but in comparison to most places I ordered their packaging is heaps better.

Whilst I wouldn't place their packaging last on a list, Amazon takes that position , I'd have to say that AmiAmi, RobotKingdom, BBTS & TFSource are superior in that department.

As for Amiami, I heard they are one of the largest store but their online inventory for toys are always shocking. Is like within 2 minutes is always sold out. Their hobby kits were one of the only things so far I could order with no hassles. But for toys is almost mere impossible. I noticed this for Transformer masterpiece, chogokins or any popular hot toy as they have low prices.

I can't speak to their physical presence, but beyond notoriety their online store certainly seems smaller. *shrugs*

Anime Export has cheapest so far, but I have not ordered from them regularly and you have to pay upfront. HLJ has the best ordering system I know so far.

I'd put their ordering system on par to that of TFSource's, personally, but whilst Anime Export may be the cheapest at this point - I simply can't afford to front the cash up now as I need to save up.
(That's the only reason I didn't jump when @TheJackSack tweeted the scoop )

[Hursticon]

Because they're small they probably don't want to be left with unsold stock like you see on the bigger retailers. Similar thing happens with local video game outlets in Japan, if they over order eventually they have to compete with clearance prices elsewhere and lose out. I think they come across as bigger than they actually are since they were one of the first retailers to get an English presence. There's heaps and heaps of similar sized retailers on Rakuten Japan that just don't deal with English customers at all and are also quickly and forever sold out.

Ah!, ok - interesting... That's a good point actually & I hadn't considered that, good on them for being one of the 1st off the block to open up to "English" customers too.

[drifand]

Interestingly my wheeljack's shipping cost less than G2 Sideswipe. lol

[UltraMarginal]

Now the question is: Where is the cheapest place to pre-order them from? Sick of paying BBTS prices when it seems they are cheaper most everywhere else.

Anime-Export as previously mentioned.

Seems like Anime E now listed it at 4550 yen pre-order, you can't really go wrong but I am unsure how their shipping is like.

they were pretty good when I used them. I ordered Fort Max, Animated Version Reissue Devastator and a couple other items from them. it all came nicely wrapped in bubble wrap but there was a bit of air in the box which would not have provided much support if treated too roughly.

While they require up front payment they do not charge for shipping until the item is packed and ready to ship. by default they use the cheapest shipping method.

my biggest gripe was they contacted me prior to shipping to say that they didn't have the Alternity Thundercracker that I ordered, I got a refund that effectively went towards shipping. I later contacted them and asked why it was still listed as in stock on their site. they said they would fix it.

it's now a year later and they still list it as in stock. I honestly think they couldn't get it to fit in the box so they left it out. rather than find a larger box and spending more on packing.

I double ordered G2 Sideswipe and Wheeljack through them on Monday. they should both ship together in August.


I'm pretty excited about this wheeljack, like everyone else I'm a little bit worried by the apparent nuber of joints on the chest/roof.