no clue, try emailing them and see if they willing... some do and some don't, try your luck

Hi guys, I was wondering if anybody would like to hear a story about what I call "a friend from hell".

I came to knew this figure shop at my state about two years ago, and quickly the owner and I became friends. We sometimes hangout, have dinner and once I even hung out at this shop to do a custom paint job on my 1/6 figure from 9 p.m to 7 a.m the next morning! I bought some Hot Toys stuff from him plus some other figures. We always chatted about Hot Toys, figures in general and even lessons in life! So as you'd expect, our friendship seemed great!

Few weeks ago he told me that the Play Arts Kai Metal Gear Solid (Snake & Ninja) and Batman: Arkham Asylum (Batman & Joker) figures would arrive simultaneously. I was exited as I was really looking forward to those. So I confirmed the matter with him last week and he said will will arrive "next Wednesday" (which was last Wednesday by the way) so I started saving up.

Now I know when people give ETA of products you can't expect a 100% certainty, that's just the way of life. So on Wednesday turns out only the Joker had arrived, and Snake, ninja and Batman haven't arrived yet and he told me he can't givea specific date. So asked him to reserve the Joker for me until the others arrive (although MGS is a higher priority to me). He was cool about reserving the Joker.

So today is Saturday and I called him on the status of the items and he told me Batman has been sold off already at his shop and now awaiting the "armored" version which I'm not interested in. He also told me the MGS figures will only arrive in June. Shocking, I know but here's the REAL shocker:

He asked me when am I going to pickup the Joker figure that he reserved so I asked him again the ETA for (Normal version) Batman and he said he has no idea because it''s out of his control, & suddenly got angry and lashed out at me because he said I didn't answer him on when will I be picking up the Joker. I told him that I only wanted in a set, and he lashed out: "Do you expect me to reserve all your figures then only sell to you?!" I was shocked at his tone. I told him what's the point of getting the Joker when I have no idea when Batman will arrive when he clearly SMS me both figures will arrive next week? My intention was to buy the figures as a set but instead he kept on yelling at me.

He got so angry and cursed 4 letter words at me, accusing me of "abusing the friendship". I asked him what's wrong with him and he cursed me further. I reminded him that we are friends first and foremost and I honestly have nothing ill against him & told him he should cool off but he hung up on me.

So that's what happened few hours ago. I got cursed for practicing my consumer rights. But what I regret most is that I lost a dear friend. Even if he apologizes (which I doubt), I don't think I could ever trust the guy as a friend.

Which comes to my question: Who are the best Hot Toys or collectibles sellers on Lowyat because it seem this is the only place I can rely on (aside eBay) as my state does not have any other figure shop. My apologies if my post was overly long. Peace guys!

hmm... from the sound of it, the only thing that I can thinks is that someone offered him more money for the batman compared to you, but didnt want to buy joker. so that is why he 'offered' you the armored version and insisted you to buy joker.
maybe he knows that usually people will not buy joker unless it came with batman or people already have batman in their collection.


btw, some questions :
- does anyone know how reliable is SAL in 'product arriving to your doorstep'? I wanted to buy figures from HLJ. I dont mind if the figures' box get dented, as long as it arrived to my home.

- If I buy 3 ultraman and kamen rider figures, from HLJ, with total of RM 400 (including shipping estimates), using SAL. will the custom hold my things and tax me? and if I use EMS, will the outcome be any different?

from some older post that I read, some said that if below RM 500, will not be taxed, some said no matter what the total is, it will be taxed. which is the truth?

- and is it true that whenever the custom saw a package/ box with HLJ logo/ name on it, they will always hold the things in custody?

thanks

This post has been edited by ghobot21: Apr 8 2012, 09:09 PM

Question,

If I bought a Busou Shinki (worth about RM 320 after shipping added) from Mandarake, and have it shipped here using EMS, will there be any situation involving the Customs? Like tax?

Anything less than RM500 shouldn't really have any problem passing through.

But if really unlucky, you will kena our "bolehland tax." Not too sure what explanation to offer since never kena tax for anything below RM500.
Good luck.

I buy from jlist(dot)com and so far dont have any problem with the kastam ( All i buy is Eroge and Figures ) ,fast shipping.good condition lagi...tip top

So far I got "Departure from inward office of exchange" on yesterday night when I last checked, which means it's out of Kastam and on it's way to the post office, am I correct?

Pos Malaysia showed the following:

10-Apr-2012 16:21:49 Departure from inward OE/Send item to domestic location
10-Apr-2012 15:14:55 Arrived at inward OE/Receive item at OE
09-Apr-2012 22:19:00 Departure from outward OE

I should be able to get it tomorrow right?

This post has been edited by kct-86: Apr 11 2012, 07:58 PM

If you have a tracking number, you can track it at online Pos Malaysia.
If not, it should be arriving tommorow or day after tommorow, but yes it is out of kastam.

Got the item today, is very happy to see that she's never been opened considering that I bought her off Mandarake.

Nice, post some pictures....

Posted in the Japanese action figures thread.

Lol I just got my dolfie from Obitsu. Untaxed.

The actual figure was 27,000yen at first....but that amount was cut through to 15,000yen.
And I didn't even ask them to false underdeclare for me.

Not sure if lucky
or just plain mistake.

This post has been edited by Senjou: May 10 2012, 05:11 AM

Could be intentional. I had my second Busou Shinki from Mandarake going through the same thing. Though in my case it was because I ordered from the same branch.

just wanna check with Mandarake customers here, it seems they no longer provide shipping with SAL Unregistered and now only have SAL Registered (which is higher fees)

can anyone confirm? thx

Normally I would have thought Japanese people are strict with rules and regulation and all. I am just a bit tad surprised.


But I guess Obitsu saved me all the trouble to go to KLCC, pay taxes and transportation fees. Banzai Obitsu!!

It seems like that to me. But truth be told, I have never use SAL Unregistered before or at least I use SAL Registered to have item tracking at the very least.

Slightly more expensive but at least you know what is going on or how it gets lost lol.....

i have tried a few methods, ESM is the fastest and safest as i have to personally collect the packet in pos laju office

with SAL unregistered, i have received all the items so far but sometimes it took more than 3 weeks, i feel it is fine as the cheapest method and recommended if not shipping realy expensive stuff

and thx, i guess thats true about Mandarake

I 'd say Lucky... 15k yen exceeds RM500 too

It's about RM570++ actually converted.

Maybe custom closed one eye since RM70++ more only lol.

guys, did any of you purchase online at bigbadtoystore.com? is this a trusted website/seller?

question:

where can i found shop selling First 4 Figures toys in KL? i really fell in love with their Link on Epona figures