Gentei Kits Shop Review

Premium Bandai hobby toys are nowadays a must hunt among the collectors. While majority buyers know their way round getting it from GK Gundam Kit that based in Hong Kong. There are times you may miss the opportunity pre-order or fully booked and even went out of stocks.

Sure, we can search through Japanese shops using Rakuten system. But some shops may not shipped internationally and require to pay more using Tenso forwarder services. I can guarantee you that buyers might even encounter higher mark up amount can’t be acceptable. Gentei Kits may be your last location to seek out.

iShop2Go Reveal GK Gundam as Sister Site

I won't be updating my review for the iShop2Go and planning to do review for GK Gundam because they are basically run by same owners or person. All the Gunpla pricing should remain the same including the shipping even they move all their existing products there.

To be honest, I am really disappointed about them as a customer. Not only they didn't inform us they could get limited Gunpla from P-Bandai and selling resin kits. Instead, they kept quiet and create more complicated ways, such as making it's existing customers to open another account and had to purchase some products that were not found at iShop2go separately at the sister site secretly for years. What worst that its existing customers are paying more on unreasonable extra shipping cost separately.

Yes, I knew about the sister site from last year when I first visit after someone told where to get the P-Bandai Gunpla. It's easy to find out about it because the price and promotion gave it away the hints also the top ten product review video posted at the site. I do feel bad not mentioning in my blog but speculating without proof might get me into trouble. So I rather wait and see. Since the owner personally went public announced at their front page, I still felt they gave a bad impressions hiding the sister site identity.

There is no doubt that so far they are the only Gunpla shop I know that still offering a good price for Chinese Hobby magazines with limited kits online from Hong Kong. Nonetheless, it is advisable to be careful and do more survey on the pricing because there are now many products that sold more expensive for some reason.

TFsource Online Shop Review

While I slowly continue hunting new Transformers toys these days, there are times that I missed early pre-orders in RK due to monthly budget issue. This resulting ending up losing collecting my favorite toy from time to time or even wanted to get limited exclusive 3rd party including restock toys that only available in the west. Because of this issue, I spent sometimes survey some of the online stores from US that will meet my shopping requirements. One of the search results was TF Source, quite well known online toy store in the Transformer community as well sponsors for Transformers news site like Seibertron and TFW2005.

Walter Hobby Online Shop Final Review

This is a revisit review for Walter Hobby online shop. You can still find the previous review post here or in the E-Shop Review category list. You may ask me why bother going back when they have bad reputations and services records. The reason is very simple, I want to know whether they learn their mistake and done any improvements. Anyone deserve second chance. It just whether they can pass or not.

As many you already know, Walter Hobby is today many buyers blacklisted toy shop in Hong Kong and no longer a recommend site to get Gunpla. The issue were quite a fuss back then, not delivering buyers orders and even went further not responding emails together almost more than a year. This causes many outrage and immediately filed complains to HK Authority including blocking his Paypal transactions.

Walter intention is unclear until now because he never makes any statements on what happen. The only information I got is from Prime92 YouTube reviewer are that his is too busy handling college examination and unable to fulfill the orders on time. He even puts up banner mentioning that his internet was down and unable to reply emails. As long there aren’t any official statement made from him, everyone of course taking this as completely bullshit and he was just trying to avoid responsibility.

BuyInCoins Online Shop Review!

We have been seeing lots of China made electrical products selling in Brunei today especially the computer parts and accessories. As an IT technician, I require to prepare tools and tester to support my work even for personal side business. However, the problems are our local computer shops have been selling quite a high price and even some in ridiculous price that are unknown brands with less than one month warranty. If they selling reasonable price, probably I won’t need to go through looking direct China wholesale. Yes, this even might damage local business if every one of us turns to direct China online shop to get it. But I couldn’t help posting the website here.

Right now, there are three shops I discover so far that allow you to buy one item each rather than require in bulks rule. But I decided to choose the best one that offer best price compares to others and that is Buyincoins.com (HQ in Hong Kong).

First Impressions

The website is nicely done, clean, easy to use and fast loading. The search also works very well and I do recommend any of you to use it if you are looking for certain items which is much faster and easier to find. The categories are well listed except one thing I am having trouble is the menu loading sometimes. I only experience when surfing at office using company internet line and tested with other browsers still doesn’t seem to work. I find it strange to be honest and probably the java coding problem.

For your information, BIC offers thousands products and accessories starts from camera, computer, and mobile phones, electronic like flash lights, games and other weird stuffs you can find over there. All of them are well listed except those new products arrival does not mention on their website.

Incredible Value Price

Yes, it is. Almost 90% of them are so affordable that you can’t imagine. I, myself also surprise by it and I made three orders straight to fill my need especially the computer accessories are so cheap I couldn’t help buying it. Most of them are network tools to support my work, aluminum flashlight and some just a weird stuff I wanted to messed with it.

Please be advice that I don’t recommend any of you purchasing Bluetooth and wireless devices or modem because AITI suckers going to tax you for B$50.00 each for personal use or B$200.00 (each) license for business. That’s going to be sorry hefty fee and in the end choose to abandon it.

The computer sellers might also want to gain advantage on the price too when you buy more or in bulks. But based on my perspective, the discount doesn’t seem to be much to me. No complain, because most of the products itself are already way too cheap so I’m sure most you can earn at least 50% profit.

Did I Receive Faulty Products?

Of course, that’s why you need to test it straight away once you received and report them immediately for either replacement or refunds. I mostly had faulty flashlight in two orders so far. The support services are friendly and refund me the next day. Usually I do request them to send me another replacement with my new order. The response normally takes 1-2 days at least.

Warranty Period

The warranty period is no different than ours in Brunei. According to BIC, the manufacturer warranty is only 3 month for most electronic products. I’m not sure what the warranty length for buyers order in bulk. You can just always contact them anytime for more information’s.

Earning Free Coins

To earn Point Coins, either you write review on the products you recently buy or get yourself referring by the buyers. These allow you to purchase anything on the site. But the down side is that you only earn $0.10 for each review approved. More information can be found here.

Payment Methods

Paypal is the only online payment method currently available so expecting this is direct purchase once you checkout. BIC will automatically refund money if there are no stocks available within one week.

Shipping and Packing

For Brunei, BIC provide free shipping for every order. However there won’t be any tracking no provided for amount less than US$20.00. Of course there is optional fee to include tracking no. It’s not much, just an additional fee between US$1-2.00. There’s no point of paying extra when you can get a free tracking no once you purchase over the amount above to get it. You consider that a very good saving!

EMS service also available during check out, but do note that it’s not free and optional shipping method. Same as usual, the cost will be based on the weight of your orders.

As for the packing, for my orders, all of them are packed with bubble wrap and put into postal plastic bag. They are all nicely wrap up inside so don’t worry about receiving damage items. I’m not sure about those made of glass since I never order it before. Well, if you expecting me to tried ordering one or two. You gonna wait until I want to buy it.

Do note that shipping from China usually takes quite a while to reach to Brunei. Normally either on the third or fourth weeks, this is due to the slow transit from in China.

Conclusion

Buy In Coins really know how to make their customers happy. They really done a great job on their customer services and solved most of my faulty items problem by issuing refunds or replacement less than a week. Those folks over Hong Kong even response mail during weekend and Sunday.

The only thing I dislike is not able to know if those popular items going to be restocking. During the past two months monitoring, it hasn’t made any progress seeing update about restocking. According to one of the staffs, normally those sold out restock every two-three weeks. Probably I might have to try placing the out of stock order and see how it goes.

Another problem is they never send any email notifications to buyers that your orders have been dispatched. You can only check through the BIC account in the order history. The tracking numbers will usually listed over there including the screenshot of your order packed from the warehouse before shipping out in China.

Anyway, my overall experience shopping in BIC was rather fun as I am able to buy most of the computer stuffs I long looking for. Not to mention their price are so affordable and comes with free shipping. Although there are others I discover also offer free shipping. BIC so far offer the best price on my list. Before you head over to eBay to search for any computer or mobile phone or even Apple accessories, you should first drop by BIC to check out.

BuyinCoins.com is the leading in online retailing - an online shopping service that broadcasts live retail programming 24 hours a day. It's a vast virtual shopping center, offering a wide variety of products including electronics, gadgets, jewelry, apparel, home furnishings, and beauty. The BuyinCoins' headquarter is located in Hong Kong. Other divisions/ subsidiaries/ Dispatch Centers are in Beijing, Shanghai & Shenzhen of China.

YaHobby.com Online Shop Review!

Another online retail toy shop review and this time it’s from China. I learned about Yahobby.com when visiting to Seibertron.com last year which happen to be one of the sponsors. I afraid the information about them was slightly known, while it claim to have already operate for (more than) two years. This led too many concerns for the buyers whether or not they can be trusted even it was advertise in popular Transformers community. To find out, I decided to take risk putting my money down ordering some of the Transformers Universe toys I missed.

Of course, Transformers are not the only toys they are selling on the website. There are also others available military and Gundam plastic kits can be purchase over there too including knock off Lego toys. Price is average, in case you wonder.

First impressions

Rather to say, bad impressions. Not on the price I am bitching about. But the communications between the customers and shipping handling were the biggest main issue I have discover on YaHobby. Compare to my last experience with the Angolz.com, this is much worst.

It’s really disappointing seeing such problem still arise on newly setup or even on long-time online retail toy shops. For one, like Walter Hobby is one of the failure in online toy business when he himself unable to fulfill the customers’ orders and get into trouble not delivering and ban by Paypal due to overwhelming complains filed against him.

YaHobby is no exception, for my personal opinion. There are many international forums buyers are unhappy with their services and few cases claim they sent broken toys and unseal toy packing box (suspecting used toys) while the packing box is nicely pack without any sign of damage. Of course, they steps out and did clarify the problem that it was shipped with brand new products out from Hasbro/Takara Tomy Japan factory and even mention that the customs might have open for inspecting in some countries.

For your information, I don’t recall there are such cases done by the customs during transits. Why would they waste the time when it can be simply identify the packages inside by using advance x-ray machine? I have ordered for coming nine years in different countries and never encounter my package arrived seal been already open. In Brunei, only the inspections take place when the owner present.

Response like Donkey

The most frustrating thing in communicating with the seller is they never response and delay for weeks. YaHobby is actually had this kind of behaviors, the faster so far were four days and the slowest more than seven days reading my mail. I have no idea how the hell they can do such business practice like that. I know because using DidTheyReadIt.com service. I can easily track when my mail was read and remain hidden without them knowing.

Payment Method

Only Paypal is available. According to their site, buyers are cover with Paypal Protection when purchasing over US$200.00. Not sure how true is that, but be aware that you are eligible to get refund within 45 days under Paypal policy no matter what amount you spend.

Trouble Shipping

There is only one shipping method available for Asian buyers which I already asked. No more other shipping option to choose from and the cost starts from range US$20.00 to more depending on the total weight. I already made my first purchase with that starting amount and was successfully received after two weeks. I was relieved as it was sent by registered mail. But one problem though, no tracking number was provided.

If you think that is just a small problem, well another unbelievable nightmare started. After making my second purchase and choose the same shipping method. It become missing more than a month after they shipped out on last February and continue until today. I already contacted them and demand for answer why does it took so long to arrive. You know what? They shipped out by sea. This absolutely makes me very mad because shipping out by sea is a suicide method and big chances of getting lost. If I order is battery or chemical products that can comprehend because it’s an explosive item.

YaHobby explain the problem and very sorry about that. They even told me that if the orders total shipping weight around US$30.00 than they will send out by registered airmail. Then why mine was shipped by airmail during my first order? It doesn’t really add up at all. It never mentions on the checkout, not even in their shipping policy and even told me there is no other shipping option available to choose from. This show that they obvious trying to bargain over the shipping fee.

Conclusion

YaHobby was an entirely disappointment online shop I have to say. Even though they do refund for items are out of stock and did refund mine missing item. But it was already over Paypal 45 day’s policy and had to pay through Western Union. Not to mention they even dare to deduct my refund over Paypal fee and Western Union fee. These guys are really smart ass accountant behind calculator.

These guys really have a lot of problem and received quite bad reputations around the toy collector’s forums. Just beware and not to buy things from Yahobby.

Angolz.com Online Store Review!

Angolz.com (Version 1.1 updated) is an online store based in Hong Kong and has been around for some time now which according to website started in year 2000. My first discover on this website was around two years ago, but I never pay attentions much or even try to shop there until I started searching for Transformers toys while Googling this year that they had in stock.

I already made my first order and cancel it in the end. This will be explains in the review and yes, something went wrong. It was a bad experience being a first time customer. I done a research about them and it appear to be many mixed response reactions about online shop from other buyers around the world. Please note that the feedbacks are both positive and negative so I am going to tell my side of the problem.

The website

If you remember my previous post about Rakuten International, than Angolz Store is no different and does have the similar marketing system. Only small numbers of their local shops are operated in Hong Kong (probably in China too) and each of them sells different products from books, Japanese toys, clothes, electronic and others lifestyle accessories. All of them listed them in one web directory and can be purchase directly. Of course, you can also choose to visit separate shops as well for your own convenient.

The design on their website doesn’t change much since discover few years ago. Although, I do have some trouble looking for some brands, luckily the search feature works pretty well and help the finding easier. The only draw backs are out of stock items are mixed together and even listed as in stock which is a serious problem.

Competitive Pricing

Yes, based from my own pricing survey. Most of the items Angolz selling have the lower prices that really can compared to others even against Japan retail shops. For example, like Bandai HGUC Jegan plastic kit are selling US$10.00 while HLJ selling for around US$15.00 so that was really a big money saver. Even some Saint Seiya fans collectors also recommend me to get there too.

The Services Are Full of Shit!

That’s the part makes me so angry about Angolz services. Their customers’ services are the planet worst and have been long well known. I can’t believe had to experience it for three weeks to just enquiry one simple order from the 1^st March. The worst had to wait for their reply at least once a week. I send another reminder on the same week and the fastest response is 3-4 days later telling me its coming.

After coming third weeks, I still haven’t seen my order ready and continue showing the same processing status. Three days has become three weeks for waiting three in stock items and I was really pissed off when seeing one of the items was out of stock in their directory at the same time. Again, I send another message for enquiry and it took 3 days to receive response from a guy name Gabriel Li, telling me it’s ready to be shipped out by tomorrow morning.

Am I relieved yet? No, suddenly the next day’s one of the name Donna Wong telling me one of my items is out of stock. Everything turns upside down and had to send yet another message to ask them for confirmation about issue because the guy told me it’s ready. Again and again, no response from them for another 2 days for one simple question and continue to ignore the third days.

I had enough and demand them to refund all my money by the next day. It’s pointless to wait another 4th weeks for one orders. They did, and even stupidly enough sending email telling me all items are out of stock. What a bad liar and wonder why brother bother telling me this in the end? Probably they think I would regret canceling my order just because they are the only place selling it with good price? What a douche.

An Order Takes Longer to Ship

Another problem is the availability of those items had to wait for another extra 2-6 days (or more) before they can shipped out from their warehouse because Angolz never had any in stock items in the first place. Everything has to depend on the selected retail shops in Hong Kong for availability and this takes longer if they had to enquire others shops to fill up the pending orders.

Payment Methods

They accept both Paypal and Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard). But do note that if you are using Paypal, it will be in US dollar. Paying using credit cards will be in Hong Kong dollar. Also, beware that this is direct payments for both pre-order and normal orders.

Shipping and Packing

There are three shipping methods available. You can either used Air Mail, Air Parcel or EMS services. Please note that Air Mail does not have any tracking numbers and not registered. I do recommend using Air Parcel because the fee is reasonable and even cheaper if you placed more orders.

As for the packing, all will be using bubble wrap and put it into the cotton box before shipped out. Well, according to Angolz. No worry it was also confirm by the buyers from many countries.

Your Own Choice

This is the first and the most disappointed online store I ever shop with. Not to mention the customers’ services are the crappiest ever in my many years online experience. Angolz proof that the eBay customers are happy with them is nothing more than a setup including cover up their negative side. If you are experience eBay sellers, we all know that eBay are really strict on their policy and check every buyer’s feedback details. A few mistakes can damage their store and buyers reputations.

Nevertheless, I do not recommend anyone of you shop with Angolz Store. My reason is simple, because they are very dishonest in the business and I’m not the only person who sense that. Anyway, this is  your own decisions if you want to shop with them or not as this is just my personal experience.

Robotkingdom.com Online Shop Review!

After regain interest collecting Transformers toys again last year. Looking for TF shops online took me quite sometime because most of them are from either UK or US. This is a problem for us collectors living in Asia had to pay for expensive shipping. I’m not going to include Japan because buying those more than three years old products are simply too slim finding in Japanese retail online shop today.

Luckily for me, Robotkingdom.com is a widely known in selling many Transformers toys and site sponsors. Finding them is very easy and most importantly the shop is located in Hong Kong.

Drive into the Kingdom

The website does look a bit outdated, but the availability stocks and new products are updated weekly. It just the problem they don’t always update their ‘Just Listed Items’ so it’s quite a bit hard to track down those out of stocks items in some of the TF categories. You won’t able to notice it unless you browse the site regularly to check it out.

There are many TF titles you can search over there, from the old to today. This even includes the 3^rd party and exclusive toys from Botcon and e-Hobby so this quite a good place to start your collections. Although, I can’t promise if you can still able to find the availability stock in the shop. Not to mention the prices are quite competitive and many items I found are almost lower than any others sold in Japanese and US retails online shops.

Of course, you can find the other different toys selling in RK like Star Wars, G.I.Joe, Marcross, Gundam and other actions figures. Not as much as Transformers though, it’s worth to check it out. Better yet, tried used the search feature on the site to helps along with your search. It works pretty good and able to find many.

The Disappointed Experience

Even though you won’t be expecting any big discount coming from RK rather than waiting for the price reduce happen. What disappoint me was after pre-order PE-Shadow Warrior (which was due to released on February) and Henkei! Megatron (in stock) in the beginning of the New Year. They never reserved my Henkei! Megatron and just sold it off to someone on February.

I was totally outrageous by their action because it was suppose to be meant reserved for me, while I already done the direct payment on the first month of January so why they afraid of keeping my items? No doubt that I am very disappointed by it, they knew about it too because I did question them about this issue. They just kindly asked me to replace with other one and shipped it next few days without charging me any extra on the shipping.

To be honest, I don’t really like their customer’s services sometimes. They don’t show much respect for someone asking questions. I have no idea if they even understand what we are trying to asked or not. But they just don’t take it seriously and just show their true face like not interested serving us with just a few reply with words like ‘No’ and ‘Yes’.

Payment Methods

You can pay either using Paypal or Western Union payment. However, do note that it has to be done in direct payments for all orders and pre-ordering. Canceling orders is not possible too. But I had never tried to cancel during pre-orders so I need to ask them for more information’s.

Shipping and Packing

RK offers three different shipping methods during your check out. You can either used Registered Air Mail Parcel or Small Packet and EMS to ship out your orders. Using Registered Air Mail Parcel does seems cheaper based from my experience especially delivering to Brunei. I have no idea why Registered Small Packet is much more expensive (EMS are more) but all of them come with tracking numbers so no worry.

The packing was not bad also. It was well packed using strong boxes and plastic foam to protect your items. Better than ishop2go.com.

Conclusion

Robotkingdom.com is no doubt a good place buying Transformers toys. It has a competitive price against most retails store offers and even offer more 3^rd party toy selections in Asia. It just too bad it’s not a perfect spot looking for discounted items.

Even there are price reduce from time to time but you just going to expecting price goes up as well. I’m not joking about this. I notice it the moment delaying my buying decision on some toys and their price suddenly went up after a few months like eBay style. Probably the reason due to the low stocks or rather the reason telling us these toys are going to be discontinued in the market anytime.

Play-Asia.com E-Store Review

I’m pretty sure every one of you toys or games buyers know about Play-Asia.com (PA). It was a well known Hong Kong online store through out the internet gaming site. I have been buying from them once in a while. Most of them nowadays are PC games and bargain trading figures or Final Fantasy figure.

PA can be considering my first online toys store I shop when I first got my espeed install few years back. After my cousin introduced Hobby Link Japan, I slowly move away from them due to the price different and better economical shipping. Well, of course, back then the exchange rates for SG to Yen was good and at the same time there is no free shipping policy either.

First impression

It’s easy to guess what Play-Asia.com is selling when you first enter to the website as everything was well categories and allows you to choose what kind of items you wanted it to list out.

Good things about them that not only they sell toys but also sells original consoles and PC games, music’s, movies, books or magazines and other gaming gadgets including accessories which can be found over there too. I mostly buy the PC collector edition games since it can be easily obtain it through pre-order.

Price wise for all their items sold over there, except those magazines, plastic models and figures are much expensive from my own survey pricing comparison. This is why I don’t shop there often even there is free shipping offering. Mostly, I check out the bargain section and some of the interest trading figures. That’s my habit.

The Best Parts

Getting a free US$5.00 coupon from almost every purchase and even a yearly free Christmas coupon worth US$8.00 (over US$50.00) and US$12.00 (over US$100.00) once you open an account at Play-Asia.com. I have been receiving it every year and not a single one misses to my mail box. If you don’t have anything to buy, you can simply just pass around to your friends or relatives since there is no restriction.

Another great limited time reward recently I was told to post mini reviews of the products already purchase from them on the website. In exchange, they will reward you credits for each product. It’s not much, but it’s good to earn a little store credit for future purchase.

The Terrible Downside

Their deliveries are simply too fast. It may sound good to many of you, but I look it differently and their customer services are not good either.

I remember my worst experience placing a wrong toy figure in my order and make a direct payment at night. After noticing the error made within ten minute in the invoice, I straight away sent my message for hoping to replace the figure while maintaining the same price. I thought they read it in the next day on working hours and do changes on my mistake. Somehow it didn’t, they simply just process and shipped within 24 hours which was blazing fast.

It was a disaster for me getting a wrong figure, and much worst they response my message after two days. I do not know if that was intentionally but their excuses simply cannot be accepted by telling me because there is too much mails to read. If such case does happen, then there is more reason for them to delay for few days as no point of crazily hurry and shipped out the items.

We as a customer do make mistake something and of course, they should expect some changes and modifications in our orders. I did post this issue in the Reseller Ratings website and vote them two stars out of five. Few days later, I get a reply from the GM trying to defend and telling me they have a 24 hours email policy so it very less likely happens.

You know what? He even tries to point me at fault that I sending the message during the holiday and non-working hours. I can’t believe this excuse comes again from the GM itself without understand what I wrote. If PA has a 24 hour email policy so why the fuck my message took so long to respond? Again, it was my items sent within 24 hour instead not the response message.

There is reason to believe that PA might not have any 24 hour email policy in the beginning. Maybe there was, probably not taking seriously about it. But there must be increasing of such similar complains and that’s why they decided last minute to improve this policy to avoid getting bad reputation.

Payment Methods

PA accepts credit cards, Paypals, Western Union and Moneybookers payments.

For pre-ordering, for us Bruneian, since we cannot receive refunds in Paypal. PA recommends us to use credit card instead while it can easily refund the money after your pre-order has been process or any other issues.

Shipping and Packing

There are many choices on the shipping. You can either choose Airmail, EMS Speedpost and courier shipment. For those of us who love to save more, Brunei is one of the country received free shipping offer at PA. The only downside is they are using Airmail without any tracking numbers.

As for the packaging, PA has a quality in packing. It’s not comparable to HLJ, but it’s not bad either.

Conclusion

Everything depends on what you are looking for over there. Although there are many things I don’t recommend buyers to shop in Play-Asia.com due to the price different are so much no matter how I look at it. Without doubt that the free shipping does help buyers to reduced the cost on the spending, nice yearly free coupons and especially also reduced the burden on the extra custom taxes on CD/DVD in Brunei.

The only concerns I’m think probably it’s about the customer services. There is no way I know about the improvement or not all these years. I know some of you might worry if incase your parcels lost during the shipment, will you able to get refunds? You might ask. Based on my experience, yes, so far I am able to recovered 100% refunds from them from arguments and cancelation order. I don’t know about the other buyers. If you want to make sure about their quality customer services, best to drop by Reseller Ratings for more buyers positive and negative reviews.

Samuel Decal Mini Review V1.0

Samuel Decal is a well know custom and remade designs marking for plastic kits that are not sold or official made by Bandai, Kotobukiya, Wave (for example) in Hong Kong. If you are having a hard time looking for custom made decals for your plastic kits, you should drop by this decals online shop to check it out.

They have many selections for the nice custom made decals design over there. Some are remade limited decals from the hobby magazines and also resize version from 1/100 to 1/144 for plastic models. Of course, non-Gundam decals and other SD resin kits also recently available at their website this year.

Discount Offer

Samuel also kind enough to offer for everyone discounts as long you made an order for over US$20.00 which he already introduced on year 2005. If you purchase over US$20.00 you get 10% off and 20% off for over US$40.00. Not bad.

How to Order

Only this time I include in my review because Samuel doesn’t used any shopping cart methods on his website. You need to send it by e-mail (order [at] samueldecal [d

ot] com) for orders.

For example:

1. Ex-S
1/100 Scale
$4

2. C3 FA-78-1 Full Armor Gundam
1/100 Scale
USD$5.5

If the decals like Ex-S also available for 1/144 scale, simply check the price for the 1/144 and change it like this.

1. Ex-S
1/144 Scale
$2

2. C3 FA-78-1 Full Armor Gundam
1/100 Scale
USD$5.5

You DO NOT need to pay Samuel first! Wait for his invoice and the total cost before he requesting you to pay.

Payment Methods

Samuel currently only accepts Paypal and Western Union for payment. However, please note that there will be 3 - 5% service charges impose only for Paypal users.

Well, for me it’s cheaper than paying through Western Union.

Shipping Methods

You can choose either deliver by normal or register airmail. This option is included together with the invoice after you order.

For me, I do recommend paying extra for register airmail to avoid getting missing since he is using mail packing method to send over. Some asshole in some countries might think there is money inside and also easier to track if it arrived in the post office in case you haven’t received for two weeks or more.

Walter Hobby Online Review V1.0

It’s funny that sometimes if I seriously looking for limited on Gundam or other toys. Those unfamiliar online merchants will just suddenly pop up in my Google search list. The Walter Hobby store was the latest for this month new discovery while looking for MG Aile Strike Gundam with limited bazooka version.

Not a Japanese store for this time. The online store itself is based in Hong Kong. Since the Gunpla competitions and toy events were quite popular over there. We are expecting more hard to get and limited stuffs access to international buyers sooner or later if we can’t get in Japan.

First Impression

Walter Hobby is not a big store like any others, so expecting to be less selection items from it. Currently you can only finds plastic models, action figures, resin kits and Chinese magazines for now. Some special limited items as well.

It’s funny that he is also selling China made Gundam also. I’m sure most of you seen it else where in Brunei and the brand name is called TT Hongli. There is another one called GHD. Not sure if both are the same company but I will never lays my money on non-original or copying stuffs. But I do like them selling the MG hands a lot!

Registering an account before making any purchasing is requiring. On the side note, the website needs resolution larger than 1024x768 sizes to view properly. However, I do find some coding errors viewing some of the toys page and many pictures simply go all the right.

The good news is, the store has just reached its first anniversary not long ago during last month and now Walter is currently putting up two events for the customers until October 31^st, 2009.

• The 1^st event is when you buy over any USD $85.00, $150.00 or $250.00. You can choose one selected free gift during check out.
• The 2nd event is you will be automatically entered to lucky draw. One order, one lucky draws ticket.

The Bad

You have no idea if items are available in stock. That’s the bad point about Walter Hobby I encounter so far after I checkout. Although, I believe the site is only manage by one owner only. But informing the customers about the available stock items is important and should be update often.

I have waited almost more than one week without any news about the item and I have to use the MSN chat system tried to enquire about my stuffs. Not to mention he went offline so often I have to send him an email for the second week.

Payment Methods

Walter Hobby only accepts Paypal and Western Union payment methods. But for Western Union, its best you contact him through his email (walter [at] walterhobby [dot] com) first before you made any orders because I didn’t find any selection payment options during on the check out.

By the way, no extra charges for the Paypal users. But do note that this require direct payments for both orders and pre-orders.

Packing and Shipping

The items weight is calculated by the system and it’s not a good sign for us. Chance of getting over charge on the shipping fee is possible. So far for me, the total weight for the EMS shipping fees is quite reasonable. Until my biggest surprise was, he actually sent my limited MG Aile Strike Gundam first without my 2x Unicorn Resin Gatling gun and he didn’t even inform me or send the tracking number. He just put a note in front of the cover that he will sent later for the other two soon.

I am also stunt by how he packs my stuff. He did mention about using bubble plastic sheets to protect the items. After looking at it, I was so lucky it was not badly damage it. Look at the photos below.

He uses the bubble plastic to warp around with simple weak cotton box to pack and tide it with a string. Man, Walter Hobby really does save a lot on this shipping. I have to be honest, but the risk of getting stolen and damage is quite high, worst than ishop2go.com packing I have seen so far.

The shipping method offer both EMS and Hong Kong post airmail.

Final Thought

What do I think? Well, to me. Walter Hobby can consider as a newcomer in toy business. I can’t say it’s really disappointed, but the only thing I am complaining the most is how he packs my stuffs and shipped to overseas. He really needs to do something about it.

As for the price, I can’t say they are cheaper or affordable. Like I always said, the best are looking at the special offer products page. But it’s good to see the store selling resin kits and upgrade accessories parts for plastic models with quite a good price point. For example the MG Unicorn Gatling gun selling at USD$11.00 each and MG Sinanju Bazooka is selling at USD$13.50 each. Not bad for a resin kits, huh? Well, just without the novel books.

Nonetheless, this store looks promising for me to drop once in a while to check out special or limited items. I’m not sure how he able to get hold on the MG Aile strike Bazooka limited, but it was a rerun production which includes Seed VS Astray brochure inside the box and I was happy getting one myself.

About Walter Hobby

Walter Hobby Store was established in 2008 and has since been operating as an online retailer in Hong Kong. We provide a wide variety of Japanese toys at prices much lower than those you can find in your country.

Also we believe most of them are hard to come by in your own country.

iShop2go.com Online Store Review V1.2

Review Update:

• Update shipping information, payment methods and review revise (15/09/2009)
• Updating iShop2go.com article with corrections and new shipping information (08/07/2009)

I’m not sure how many of you familiar with this online store, iShop2go.com. They are one of the Hong Kong online toy stores selling figurine, plastic models, and Japan hobby magazines and game consoles accessories.

I came across this website during my search for Dengeki Hobby Chinese version magazine. Both Hobby Japan and Dengeki Hobby are available in the store with two languages so if you are having hard time pre-order or the latest issue from Japanese store. You should drop by this place to get a copy especially the Chinese version.

First Contact

My first impression on the website was really bad when I first found it on Google list. iShop2go.com was not even listed in any top search instead ended up in page 5 or 6 as far I can remember. (I do received extra information from the commenter that they also using ebay under the same name selling toys. But I’m not sure how active they really were on it.)

What reminds me back then was the member registration fails and gets errors often. No worry, the problem was eventually solved after launching their new redesigning layout. Everything works normal and the registration works as well. The only problem is just that they did clearly mention if we are paying either US or HK dollar. In the end I did found out paying in HK dollar after transferring to any payment page.

Price wise for most of the toys I survey. What surprises me the most is that some of the Gundam plastic kits like Master and High Grade version are little cheaper. I thought I was wrong about it but after I done some price comparison, it’s a real deal. They also do a weekly’s promotion from time to time, if you happen to find one of your favorite plastic kits and figures. I recommend you should take a look at it.

Payment Methods

They only accept Visa, Master card and Paypal. No additional charges using Paypal payment in their store. However, please note that this shop require made in direct payments once you place your orders or pre-orders.

Shipping and Packing

The only complain and not satisfied in my list is paying twice the amount for the EMS shipping. I have no idea how the two hobby magazines would end up weighting 3kg seriously. But it just makes me wonder if this is a new way of mark up their losses. Although, I didn’t encounter any damage during my last two orders I received.

The packing is really unacceptable when you are paying so much for it. These leads to the question how can it possible weight 3kg by using a used soft hard cover (even food tins boxes) for the packing? It was really disappointed seeing my stuffs deliver like this from overseas.

All the item weights are auto calculated on their website. There is also a new feature recently updated that can allow you to select locations to see how much it cost to ship to your country using either airmail or express. This can be done without signing in to your account.

For your information, they do offer various shipping services like FedEx, DHL etc. iShop2go.com allows you to request quote for any shipping services you want. For this time only in my review, I strongly advise using the airmail shipping services. The tracking is not that good. However, at least the Hong Kong post still can track where yours items landed and the fee is way a lot better than the EMS Hong Kong service. But this is depending on how the weights turn out in the end.

Conclusion

iShop2Go.com currently are the second Hong Kong merchant in my list that you can shop with. Well, the only complain so far I had now is the EMS (express) shipping fee is over charge, system weight auto calculation and service packing issue. I hope they themselves will realize it and address this problem in the future.

However, I’m sure this won’t likely going to happen. As everyone knows the joke from Russell Peter, we Chinese can’t give you a bargain. Nonetheless, if you are looking for hard to get rare figures, plastic kits and magazines that contain limited items. This is a good place to drop by and check it out.

HW Japan (HWJ) e-Store Review V1.2

HW Japan is a hobby supermarket online store from Japan based in Shizuoka. If you are looking for plastic model kits like Gundam, this store is definitely recommended for you because they offer up to 20% off the retail price for both Bandai and Tamiya products which I also can’t believe it when I can’t stop browsing the website. Other items like toys, kits and tools including the books and magazines also offer up to 6% discounts. There are some of the items offers 50% off for stock clearance I believe. Their discounts really beat the hell out of the others online store.

Review version 1.2:

(17/06/2009)

- Correction on discount point system

- Update for items are flammable liquid issues

- Update shipping method information and includes HWJ FAQ links

 

Navigating Products

The categories listing are somewhat unfriendly for me. But after a few search, I slowly get used to it. My advice is use the search system on the website because there are a lot of products are mixed together and not well organize like HLJ. Even the shortcut links for pre-orders or new items doesn’t work and listed as not found. Worry Not. They include the drop down browse by manufacturer lists for easier to navigate. As for the stocks availability, you can see the stock available numbers shown in the page before you place your order.

HWJ do kindly advise don’t count on that numbers because if the stock check dated were last years or month records. They will inform you if there are no stocks available and let you choose if you want to modify your orders or removed it or wait for 7-10 working days for restock according to them. Quite an impressive friendly order I have ever seen.

Feature Systems

They also have a discount point system (HWJ Point or HP) like Hobby Search. The rate of the HP is up to 5%. The most surprising is that, it has no deadline for the point you earn which means you can save or spend it anytime without worrying the expiration rules in HWJ. I do discover that if you purchase some of the 50% off items, you won’t be receiving any HP. Not a big deal anyway, as long there is no expiration.

Shipping

The shipping method is International Postal Air Service only (please note that no paints, sprays, adhesives shipped to foreign countries). I do find a bit tricky at some point. They don’t actually provide you the finalize shipment fee instead they charge you based on the estimate packing and includes the total weight of the items from their system. This happen when I decided to try and find out their service by buying MG Destiny Gundam (40% off), MG Decals (6% off) and Dengeki Hobby + Rasiel Bundle (6% off).

Same as usual, I used EMS delivery since SAL is never available for Brunei region. The huge surprises that I was able to receive on Monday when they shipped out few days ago. Nothing was damage during speedy air to Brunei and happy to received my goodies on that day. Do you really need an expensive DHL, FedEx or UPS just for fast shipping and tracking? Nah!

Conclusion

It was obvious that HW Japan much like a newcomer to me. But it’s good to have more optional choice on the online shopping locations especially for those of us who love bargains so much and saved for the next order. The only problems I encounter during my search are some items were restricting selling to international buyers especially like Gundam markers. That really scratch my head and think if the other can sell it, why can’t HW Japan?

According to HW Japan, They don't ship paints and markers because these items are flammable liquid are prohibited to ship by air by International postal laws and treaties. They also know that there are some online shops who export these items, but it's illegal to the law (Please read).

For further confirmation, they contacted to each manufacturers, GSI Creos, Tamiya, and Copic, if there is any item which is not prohibited to ship by air. The answer was no from both Copic and Tamiya, but only GSI Creos said that only one item can be shipped by International Post is Gundam Marker. Lucky!

For more information, please check the “Read Before Purchasing” and “Policy” pages.

• http://www.hwjapan.com/policy.aspx#CustomClearance
• http://www.hwjapan.com/faq.aspx

Anyway, I should stop writing now and encourage you Gundam collectors to check it out yourself. The good thing is, they accept many different types of payments so it should shouldn’t be a problem.