Locker Toys Premium Membership #1 – Box 2 is such a Bad Deal

This is very upsetting to find myself paying such a bad deal. Never crossed my mind there are no figures at all in the first place and that only getting exclusive helmets. The descriptions were not clear (it’s now updated) and put up the image with the first and second lots with figures. Before I proceed with the purchase, I also drop an email to inquire about the images just to confirm if I am getting any figures from the lot plus helmets. Well, one of them told me we will be getting either two lots with all 8x exclusive helmets. So what does this tell you? We are getting figures with helmets, right? Now, it’s nothing.
 

The price of box 2 cost HKD 980, which is a lot for just 8 exclusive helmets compared with other bundles that come with random figures valued at HKD 752. If I knew there are no figures or they choose to correct me on the question above, I would just go for random two figures from W40K Interceptors Set which is a way better value than getting helmets.

 

 

Yes, I already made my complaints to Locker Toys and shows the previous email response including feedback on the premium membership issue. I won’t be asking for any cancellation or demanding any refund and just continue to try out the one-year premium membership. For now, my biggest problem is the LTS reward points. It’s kind of a fuckup to see high and low reward points numbers for selected figures and not to mention, premium membership doesn’t get either double or any increase points. There are no differences from the normal membership so what’s the point buying premium membership?

Looking For Alternative Store for JT Warhammer 40K Figure Plus Membership

Did you know, JoyToy has released over 100+ Warhammer 40k Action Figures in 2022? This is an insane number of Warhammer 40K releases I have ever seen coming from them. Before I even post this, the T’au Empire faction has just up for PO and announced coming in Dec (next month). Not only that, JoyToy recently announced the Space Marine White Scars series too so expect more incoming. No one can imagine what is next again for next week and seriously hope they slow down during the Lunar New Year.

At the moment, I am waiting for the Grey Knight's arrival at Gundamit (Show.Z) and going to spend points to bring the price down a little. The exchange rate for the US dollar is still just too strong right now and sometimes reaching the point of closing one eye and cancelling the PO. Yeah, I did look into the Japanese stores. The problem here is that both Ami-Ami and HLJ are not carrying a lot. The older release is not even shown up from June until now so I don’t see any reason to PO there, especially since their price is higher. The good exchange rate is not helping either and huge lack behind the release wave.

I am now looking at the third alternative option from the Hong Kong side, Locker Toys. Their price cannot compete with Gundamit store and had no option to pay a deposit for any pre-order. However, the plus side, they give free airmail shipping if you order over 0.6 KG which means we save more in the shipping fee compared to the competitor. If you guys want to get more bargains, you may have to buy the one-year (fans-only) membership which offers VIP discounts and gifts including reward points. I was hesitant to go for it at first until I saw the HKD 980 bundle with a special Warhammer 40K exclusive set of 8 helmets that caught my eye.

The only confusion about the bundle is about the ‘First’ or ‘Second’ lot for the sets of 4 figures. The Locker Toys didn’t specify if we are allowed to choose or not. Maybe, until stock last. Anyway, I will just drop them an email to go for the second lot and see what the response is. Yeah, I love the Space Marine Captain with the decoration and the cape. The first lot is more of armies building unless I have a Land Rider (seriously, we need one!). 

Anyway, I will update you from time to time about my experience with the membership services status and the discount soon.

Treasure Toy Hunt – Land of Freedom July 2022

It is quite a while since I shipped something from the US. During the COVID, I was a kinda headache figuring out how to ship out my orders from TF Source after six months expired of keeping them at their warehouse. Luckily one of the local collectors I am friends with told me about a good forwarder service, I was able to get it sorted out. So this year again, I decided to do some online shopping at eBay and look for a great deal while taking advantage of their local free shipping (for some).

Its Time to Wear Sunglasses

Man, the global warming really no longer a joke, which is why the sun is really fucking killing my eye these days. I always told myself to get a pair but those sunglasses are freaking expensive and those cheap one in the street are not suitable for my eyes. Of course, I am aware those cheap brand lenses could be fake or something because it can cause your eyes and brain every uncomfortable. Whenever I look at the sunglasses, it remind me the CBS 60 minute cover story about the scambag company control the price worldwide. Seriously, fuck them.

One thing usually bother me a lot is my face. I have quite a big fat looking round face so it is kind of challenging finding match up sunglasses. Well, I actually took the risk going to any local shops to find and brought two pair Zerpico MOO:D sunglasses at crowdfunding websites instead. The price is indeed affordable and has the design quality in it.

Hunt for the Missing Manga Volumes

Finding missing volumes in your ongoing favorite manga collections are quite risky especially if you plan to sell your Manga off in the future. Buyers expect complete volumes with same publication and languages. To be honest, I don’t even know selling off the books is possible since I collect Chinese instead English translate version. No matter, my current ongoing missing volumes are Shingeki no Kyojin, Arslan Senki , Mobile Suit Gundam Thunderbolt and MSV-R The Return of Johnny Raiden.

Chinese translate Manga are hardly available in Brunei shops so I have turn to online book stores to get them which I usually buy from YesAsia almost every months. However, their available stocks and release update system in the comic section starting to piss me off. I do not know if there are listing bugs on both Hong Kong and Taiwan version quick link categories. Most of the latest didn’t shows up any in the search results which fool me thinking the Manga haven’t release yet. After month and another month again, I started growing suspicious finding the page showing the same results. Instead using quick links, I use normal search to find the title one by one. What do you know? It was already translated, released and out of stock!

Another issue with YesAsia is, don’t expect to wait for possible restock. I subscribe their notify email and hardly received any words about restocking from publishers. The only hopes are start off searching for other online sources carry Chinese translate manga. Books Kinokuniya is a good place to start. I actually didn’t know they provide online orders and shipping to Brunei. After knowing that, I immediately order all the missing volumes.

It was really a close call. If I continue to wait, for sure all my current collections will be all for nothing and weird slapping English translate version together. Not only that, I just realize the manga sold at Books Kinokuniya are much more affordable rate. Sure, YesAsia offer free international shipping for purchase above US$39.00 (no tracking). But I feel safer ordering from Singapore that comes with tracking and an hour flight to Brunei.

Missed HG Customize Parts Campaign Summer 2015 at Hobby Link japan

If you want to get Bandai HG Customize Parts campaign stuffs, look no further only Hobby Link Japan happen to have this promotion that offer to international customers. The third campaign finally started on August 17th. Nope I didn't manage to get any damn single out of it. You see this happen when these customize parts ran out before they packed mine. Yes, disappointed to know. But what pissed me off HLJ actually already started offering on August 8th even the graphic logo listed the exact date and put up on 17th! What the fuck?

I really lost of words and find this very upset they kept this promotion quiet while making majority waiting and browsed for the news everyday wondering the third campaign going to happen or not. Not only it pissed me off and began to question why 17th? They said because it was traditional Obon holiday (three days) and the announcement was delay. I call that bullshit excuses and the fuck we subscribe newsletter service for? Traditional Obon holiday celebrate on August 15th (wiki) and will last for three days. So what happen during 10 to 14th then?

Let's be frank about this, we all can see global economic problem does indeed affect Gundam model kits sales and has been slow down this year including those new released lines. Not only that, P-Bandai exclusive are spoiling the market itself too. You will notice if you browse the pages every few days or easy way, type HGUC or HG in the search. The list of the new released and old Gunpla stocks numbers hardly running out of stocks even after the campaign ended.

My opinions on this, probably a marketing stunt to find way clearing high volume stocks stuck in their warehouse. You see, the past two campaigns last two to three weeks and I hardly able to choose which kits to buy as majority run out of stock. The third campaign, so much in stock kit's selection and closed only less than 5 days (17th to 21st). If the promotion originally started on 8th, either they found the sales were slow during that time and the remaining HG customize parts already given out almost dry since we are talking about three parts for each HG purchase. I myself would find this golden opportunity card push to clear the stocks and make sure the “This campaign is only good as long as our stock of packets lasts!” slogan were used to protect them from hot head customer like me. Smart move.

Of course, I may be wrong. This is just speculating and no prove at all of their wrong doing. Even if it happens what I wrote above, well, they got right to do that. Still, I find this case so rare they would stay quiet and delay announce this campaign for such respectable online shop with lots of loyal customers base. I never had any problem with them before but this is the first time making me so mad wasting my money purchasing from a campaign period (the day they open) that gets nothing in return. The way they handle this announcement just wrong and left me speechless. There won't be next time blindly rush to purchase like that. Thanks to that, I actually brought wrong Nemo version. Arggg!

Ouch! Two Months of Private Warehouse Orders

I guess storing too many orders within two months in the HLJ private warehouse really hit me hard with the shipping fee this time. Some orders are a mistake on my part, but well, can't be help. Heh!

The photo speaks everything (not all really) except the Kotobukiya parts are still both pack together. The ordering were quite special this time around. I mostly hunt for classic kits and was happy seeing the classic Gundam F91 Silhouette Formula kits arrived! I really can't wait to build them but I wanted to grab more Gundam F90 and F91 kits before starting the projects next year. The good news is, they are pending to be re-release this coming December!

Popular 3rd Party Out from RK

Most probably majority of the Transformers toy collectors already knew about Robot Kingdom stop selling at least three popular 3^rd party title products. It took me a quite long to notice them not selling Fansproject, Maketoys and Mastermind Creation. While I don't know the specific real reasons behind this but the guesses and answer can be found at both TFW2005 and Seibertron forum for further information if you decided to dig deeper.

Since they selling quite a good selling price and offer best combine shipping fee in Asia. I do find it very troublesome and unhappy no longer able getting these popular 3^rd party new products through RK. With the power of the internet, of course I do have many sources where to easily get. However, this actually facing increase spending more either on the selling price or shipping fee issue on other online stores. The worst will be both and don't forget we are paying using US dollar nowadays.

US dollar may continue remain weak today, I discover some online shops in Asia actually increases the value of the 3^rd party toys nearly 20-30%. Yeah, it kinda suck and got to be more extra careful without blowing your god damn hard earn money.

Right now, my suggestion is looking alternatively into Japanese Yen. The exchange rate is so good this year that today I actually able get B$1 vs 76 Yen after paying all my stash hiding at the HLJ private warehouse. If you plan buying Japanese toys or books this month, look no further jumping back right in or double check again using PayPal currency rate.

Now, how about getting 3^rd party Transformers toys from Japan? You can check out Upgrade Commander, which is best site getting Maketoys brand and better price with the help of higher exchange rate for Yen. I already pre-order my long love for Paladin and Missle Launcher for Power Combiner. It is expected to release this month and I can't wait to review the baddy!

Play-Asia.com Officially a Ripper

For my own opinions, PA really going too far over their pricing for the collector editions stuffs. I have no idea what the fuck happen to their great pre-order services, it was total big let down ever that I can't imagine missing both pre-order on the Diablo 3 and with sudden ridiculous double pricing for Guild Wars 2 collector editions in a trusted store this year. It never was like this being a long time customer able to get so many great collector stuffs without single price problem hitting the order buttons. But now, either the pre-orders button never shows up even after the date line or bother giving any answers if they can officially getting those products.

PA decided to went into ripping off mode on the customers money by playing eBay style doubling the price. Yeah, Guild Wars 2 CE is now priced at US$299.00 instead of official US$149.99. This is the biggest shit I ever expect this outcome from such a popular trusted site. I am now officially black listing and decided to delete Play-Asia.Com in my favorite and start looking else where.

Finally Mindwipe Join Up with Skystalker!

Phew! I am lucky enough to secure ROTF Mindwipe at eBay this month. The price is still good despite being so long. It sure does take me a while looking for the best price as possible when Headrobots announced Darksol upgrade for it. The price suddenly jet up so best to grab fast while the price just $10 more expensive.

Even though the work is still in the early stage but that excited me and can't wait to grab it. It just looks fantastic. Now Skystalker can dock with Mindwipe without being alone.

Ishop2go.com March 2012

I was supposed to stop BUYING Gunpla! Well, after joining the contest and received 10% discount for purchasing any toys at ishop2go.com. I just go ahead and spend it on Gunpla kits instead.

TFCC Exclusive Over-Run & Drift Pre-Order Bail Out

The pre-order for Over-run (Runamuck) & Evil Drift suddenly went live yesterday morning at 6AM. I was awake at the time and reading at same hour. It was really hard decision thinking over the money and hit the check out without realizing going to spend over $200.00 for these damn toys.

Luckily the TFCC store credit card system crash with error due to the high volume orders once it went live. These give me more time to think and finally decided to bail out as well not renewing the membership this year.

Why did I make that decision? Simple, the TFCC pissed me off. Last year, I wasn’t even able to get any single order of Ramjet even becoming a member, thanks to the late e-mail pre-order notification and had to read the Transformers fan news site to know it went live.

Second problem, the TFCC store doesn’t give any other option choosing cheaper shipping method. This gives me a thought if G2 Ramjet were available at the time. This would probably cost more than masterpiece Transformers. How much? The shipping at least over US$60.00 for Express Mail International only two toys WITHOUT ANY BUBBLE WARPING! You need to pay US$3.50 for it! WTF? I am fine and safe with paying first class mail international fee. It never lost and rarely late experience. Yet TFCC still doesn’t want to offer this option.

Never mind that, the third and worst. My exclusive Side Burn wing almost breaks because of shitty cheap saving packing empty box with nothing inside protecting the toy. Yes, without ANYTHING! These guys really don’t know how to make its member happy. How expensive it was throwing in recycles or uses cheap packing foam. Hasbro is a big company and they can’t find any single recycle warping plastic or foam at the office? Seriously?

To be honest, I am really shock with such experience and not quite fun joining the membership. If you only aimed at only the yearly free exclusive figure with six bi-monthly full printed color magazines only for US$78.00 yearly. You can go for it. But if you plan on getting exclusive pre-order figure or others at the TFCC store, you better off not to unless you are rich, willing to pay for high amount shipping fee or living (study) in US. Maybe cheaper if you got friends there to work it out.

Black Friday Root 2011

Another no posts for weeks, hate to say it always happen during third and fourth week of every month. Work does keep me company and tired after back from work. I wanted to go for a jog, the weather play it’s part on raining so much my body become more stressful and sleepy.

For most part, monitoring online activities doesn’t put me away especially Black Friday sales hunting. So far only Hobby Link Japan has a good deal on EMS shipping and this is what I get from the store below.

• 1x 1/100 Justice Gundam
• 1x 1/144 HG 00 Gundam & O Raiser SP
• 2x 1/100 Nix Providence Gundam
• 1x 1/144 HGUC MS-06 Zaku F2 EFSF Ver
• 1x Large Missile Launcher
• 2x Hand Gun
• 2x Saber & Hummer
• 3x Duct Nozzle

Some of you may wonder why I bother to get High Grade 1/100 Justice when Bandai (obviously) going to release the Master Grade version probably next year. Well, idea simply just pop up in my mind since I am quite a fan on Seed VS Astray design so Justice kit going to put in good use and mixing.

I also get Nix Providence because the half price is without doubt a good deal you simply can’t missed it. Same goes for HG Gundam & O Raiser for nearly only B$11.00. There weren’t much HGUC kit I am hoping for, but in the end manage to grab MS-06 Zaku F2 EFSF Ver as I needed the weapon parts so bad for Advance of Zeta I am currently working.

The rest are the Kotobukiya latest weapon units and option parts. The duct nozzles are needed for continuing Wagtail kits. Although I still need more stuff to begin my works, best to stock up first when you can get a good EMS shipping deal.

eBayee! Oct 2011

In this photo, I brought two rare Alien Conquest (30141) and Creator (30024) from eBay. This is just a small collection and planning to get the ADU forces some upgrade next week.

As for this, well, these are the Transformers Micromaster weapon parts. It’s going to get expensive soon due to the economy so better grab it first before he price jumps higher.

I decided to spend some time updating my blogger pages. It will be much easier to find my latest toys review and Gunpla work listing. I thought long about having images to do the job. Somehow things weren’t going too good for me recently so better off doing it simple.

Anyway, I had done some major update to the reviews, reorganizing and updated the E-Shop database which going to include Lego 3^rd party makers too soon.

CA-04 Stormbomb and Warpath Arrived!

Pick up today. Same as usual pre-order at RK and another free Transformers Movie trading card collection pack. As many who still don’t know, the Casualty CA-04 Stormbomb comes with Thrudershred full shuriken replacement which is great addition. Review going to up soon once I done the photo shooting. Interestingly also, the Stormbomb dairy card mention something about a traitor Stardust. Could it be another upcoming Fansproject next project planning for next year?

HLJ August Order 2011

Fucking HLJ, they shipped out my stuff too early for this month! Damn, now I am totally broke. If they shipped out on September I may able to hold out until October. Arggg…wrong calculation on the timing, dammit!

I did however this time went overboard purchasing so many Gunpla. Some of them actually wasn’t in my wish lists but needed some parts from every each of them. Most of them are from the promotions and some don’t, especially the two Advance of Zeta kits. I wanted to get them a long time ago so decided to add together in the orders.

Dengeki and Hobby Japan Limited Goodies Spotted

In case you guys missed collecting exclusive upgrade FG 1/144 Full Saber IV, XN update (for O Raiser) and GN Sefer previously on the hobby magazine. No worry, it is now currently available at online Samuel Decals and HM Shops. Do note that this is limited quantities available and comes with no magazines.

The price is okay and quite affordable comparing to the eBay sellers. I’m not sure myself might getting some since until now I haven’t builds them yet. The most interesting news from HM Shops FB is that the seller will be bringing 1/100 Full Saber VI version into the store. No details yet if this is made of quality plastic or resin. For sure I am eyeing on it.

Man I wish they would remake or produced back the Advance of Zeta Hazel upgrade. It really suck I missed those two.

Online Order – August 2011

Finally most of my order arrived this week. It’s hard to go to the post office this month during Puasa time especially Saturday closing at 12.00PM. Surely doesn’t make sense at all for local post office closing such early on weekend. There is still one more order coming, hopefully not arriving during my busiest weeks.

Anyway, three orders from RK, HM Shop and iShop2go luckily arrived at the same time. here’s the photo for your viewing.

Tokyo Toy Show Exclusive United Darkside pack which you can still grab it for US$59.90!

Wagtail Restock! ^^;;;

3rd party HG 1/144 Unicorn Gatling gun restock!

RK Free Gift! Not sure if I should open it…

YesAsia and RK for April 2011

Sorry for not updating recently, work and online gaming bring lost of time. Well, I finally did rebuilding my DIY budget photo booth so you guys should start seeing new photos again this week.

As mention before, I am now trying to stop purchasing toys online unless there are any exclusive or limited items up for pre-order. The RK order is just a coincidence. The Perfect Effect Scouting Force put a curse on me and its unavoidable getting them. For Optimus Prime Takara G2 version, the answer is because Optimus Prime. Hehehe… XP

At last for comic book, mostly all of them are Gundam. Only one Gundam volume I made mistake and one free randomly pick. I am planning to get the rest to complete it this month.

HLJ Order for April 2011

I am seriously going nuts hunting HGUC Gunpla nowadays. Not like I don’t like Master Grade kits anymore, it just nowadays getting harder and harder to build due to the work stress. Telling me to stop buying is impossible right now, unless the car loan started to charge into my account. Arggg…I really have to admit spending is the biggest issue of my life these days.

As you can see in this photo, most of the HGUC kits are Advance of Zeta. I never thought about getting them, it just attracting me so much I have to grab it doing the mixing. Hopefully I am able to find the suitable Titan spray paints in the local store next month. So I can start building them.