premiumcollectables (Australia) new items and updates

[MayzaPrime]

***** LIL BIT OF NEWS*****
So we saw many reveals last weekend at Botcon, Regarding Hasbro's products coming soon.

We have just had a meeting with our Global Hasbro Supplier,

the good news is that nearly all the platinum sets and even SDCC 2016 Exclusives should be obtainable from Premium Collectables. We dont have any more info than this, but for those wondering if they would be offered by Premium the answer is yes. The only bad news to report was that the Botcon Event Exclusives are likely not going to be released globally so we might miss out.

On a different note, there has been some overwelming support to the business regarding cutting back Takara Exclusives stock during pre orders.

We know this would worry many about missing out , so to also be able to see it from our point of view as a business and respect it has been most humbling.

I am very happy that I you guys are around. Stay strong and don't let the vocal minority get you down.

You guys have a tonne of support here and your efforts are always appreciated.

Totally agree...

[DarkHyren]

the good news is that nearly all the platinum sets and even SDCC 2016 Exclusives should be obtainable from Premium Collectables. We dont have any more info than this, but for those wondering if they would be offered by Premium the answer is yes

Awesome, I'm pretty interested in the Autobot heroes set.
Will you also be getting the "Rise of Rodimus Prime" Platinum set that was shown at the Brazil toy fair?
I haven't seen if it was mentioned at botcon or not, but I dont think it was, hence my asking about this one as well.

On a different note, there has been some overwelming support to the business regarding cutting back Takara Exclusives stock during pre orders.

We know this would worry many about missing out , so to also be able to see it from our point of view as a business and respect it has been most humbling.

You offer an invaluable service to a lot of us here in Aus, making collectibles available at an affordable price, making it easier for even those on a beer budget to afford champagne tastes.
While sometimes things can be rough on the loyal customers, like having to cut back because of certain unsavory elements of the community, that's hardly your fault and a lot of us understand that.
Hopefully in time some sort of balance that can make everyone happy will be found, but regardless of that, keep up the good work

[GoktimusPrime]

If people aren't satisfied w/ PC, then just go shop somewhere else. It's not as if PC is the world's only online supplier. Continuing to use the service of a business that you're not satisfied with makes no sense.

And here's a quick comparison between PC's prices and some of their competitors, using MP Laserwave as an example. I pay on average $8 for delivery per toy via slow-slow SAL, so I'll round that up to $10. Obviously faster shipping methods will be more expensive, but let's use this as a basic benchmark.

RRP = ￥18,144 or approx. $220 before postage, $230 in total.
AmiAmi = ￥14,970 or approx. $180 before postage, $190 in total.
HLJ = ¥13,440 or approx. $165 before postage, $175 in total.
PC = $165, free postage**
Amazon JP = ￥12,419 or approx. $150 before postage*, $160 in total.
Anime Export = ￥11,760 or approx. $140 before postage, $150 in total.

So in this example PC is roughly $15 dearer than its cheapest competitor, which isn't too bad for a small business. Certainly MUCH better than TRU's markup (and their toys come out way slower, albeit with sexy English translated instructions ). And as I said before, postage costs here are based on SAL which be really slow - on average about a fortnight, although I once waited 23 days. Also, being Australian based means that obtaining recompense (e.g. exchange) for say a damaged or faulty toy may be easier.

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*Unless you live in Japan, then you can enjoy Amazon's free guaranteed next day delivery service.
**In Australia only

[spiderken17]

Would a good old fashion lynching on the PC whingers be out of the question? just saying

[Soviet Fox]

So in this example PC is roughly $15 dearer than its cheapest competitor, which isn't too bad for a small business. Certainly MUCH better than TRU's markup (and their toys come out way slower, albeit with sexy English translated instructions ). And as I said before, postage costs here are based on SAL which be really slow - on average about a fortnight, although I once waited 23 days. Also, being Australian based means that obtaining recompense (e.g. exchange) for say a damaged or faulty toy may be easier.

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*Unless you live in Japan, then you can enjoy Amazon's free guaranteed next day delivery service.
**In Australia only

Not to mention supporting an Aussie company without paying through the nose for it. Lets face it. The more bought through PC theoretically (On a good business model) the better the service will get.

[MEEEGGGAAATTTRRROOONNN!!!]

I pay on average $8 for delivery per toy via slow-slow SAL, so I'll round that up to $10.

Cheapest SAL shipping I could find by adding Shockwave to cart of the various Japanese stores you listed was 1180 yen (~AU$15) and that was from Anime Export.

So bringing the cheapest of the Japanese stores to 12,940 yen (~AU$155 -- straight calculation in XE before you add international exchange rates).

First round at PC was AU$150, second round was AU$170, but both rounds came with coins -- which are worth at least AU$10 and do not come with the Japanese release.

Also, PC gives you energon points which are worth at least AU$7.50+.

So Anime Export MP-29 = ~AU$155 (before international exchange rates if applicable).

PC MP-29 (second round) = AU$170 (minus AU$10 for coin, and AU$7.50 for energon points) = AU$152.50 (and if you managed to get in on the first round you are right royally laughing!).

On straight price alone PC wins, but you're also supporting a local that is going to be giving you deals on exclusives (eg: TTMall) and other items in the future (eg: Primal).

[drifand]

There are a few reasons why people think they are entitled to the so call quick shipping, and is because in their minds they have fork upfront and paid in full.
Pretty much I think is possible that these are the same people who also wants PC to take up Paypal so that they can cancel or file dispute and cause disruption to the business.

I am so glad PC didn't use Paypal, it would have ended up people who cant wait start doing claims and etc.....

Of course we have BBTS, HLJ and NY with their various payment or pay later options but isn't this the trade off? None of the above mentions have good rewards points.

I am glad the past 15 post or so are all understanding board members, and they all understand PC is not Hong Kong base and they don't just get the goods instantly from the factory.

[Borgeman]

I hate people. Give them something better than they had previous, and once the newness wears off they will bitch and complain until the next "better" comes along.

I actually can't believe that people have the gall to say their shipping is too slow. They've created a successful local online retailer for toys, with access to exclusives that we'd otherwise struggle to get or pay out the arse for, and these knobs wanna complain that they don't get it quickly? Piss off. Go back to ordering with BBTS or HLJ or whoever you did before hand, and stop ruining it for the rest of us.

Morons.

Edit: And to think that paying in full on preorder entitles you to anything more is ridiculous too. When you buy something, you have to pay for it 1st, IN FULL, before you own it. If you want to secure a limited item before it sells out? put your money down. It's no different from buying tickets to a megastar singer's concert months in advance and you have 3 minutes to buy then on release before they sell out. These people must live in a fantasy world

(No hate on BBTS or HLJ, they were just two that came to mind )

[GoktimusPrime]

Cheapest SAL shipping I could find by adding Shockwave to cart of the various Japanese stores you listed was 1180 yen (~AU$15) and that was from Anime Export.

So bringing the cheapest of the Japanese stores to 12,940 yen (~AU$155 -- straight calculation in XE before you add international exchange rates).

I can get cheaper rates because I have contacts in Japan. I normally don't like to use this comparison because it's not an option for most people, but I'm playing Devil's Advocate and comparing PC with the absolute cheapest rate just to show how good their prices are. Because even if you have Japanese contacts and can get the cheapest prices, PC only works out to be $15 dearer. But yeah, for those who don't have this option, PC's prices work out even gooder.

I hate people. Give them something better than they had previous, and once the newness wears off they will bitch and complain until the next "better" comes along.

I actually can't believe that people have the gall to say their shipping is too slow. They've created a successful local online retailer for toys, with access to exclusives that we'd otherwise struggle to get or pay out the arse for, and these knobs wanna complain that they don't get it quickly? Piss off. Go back to ordering with BBTS or HLJ or whoever you did before hand, and stop ruining it for the rest of us.

^Agreed. This is why competition exists, and competition is healthy and good for consumers.

And I think some people are suffering from amnesia too. Do they not remember what it was like importing Japanese toys before online retailers existed? I had to solely rely on my contacts in Japan to go shopping and post toys to me. These days I only ask my Japanese contact to get me something if the toy is either exclusive or comes with exclusive content that isn't available through HLJ. Otherwise I just use HLJ and now PC. Amazon JP hasn't offered bonus content since MP21 Bumblebee (battle mask).

So yeah, if people don't like PC then go use someone else. It's not rocket science. Also +1 on supporting local Aussie business.

[aching878]

people need to relax with all the hate to customers who wants their goods faster, this is normal consumer behavior and while some are happy to wait most are more keen to get it as soon as possible within a reasonable timeframe if one has not been defined

We can't go and fault and hate people for well, being people.

It also comes back to retailer setting a realistic expectation on eta, even if a set one is not available a guesstimate set prior to selling can goes a long way.

for example if it was set out initially that round 1 takes x weeks, round 2 takes xx weeks, and round 3 takes xxx weeks then people would have an understanding on what they are buying into and the possible turnaround if no unforeseen delay occurs.

This is from what i can see PC is doing / improving on going forward so in the long run everyone will get a better exp overall