XL sell AC cheaper than TM... but always out of stock.

I don't think XL is selling much cheaper than Time Machine.
On 8.9.2007, I saw this AC Weapon Accessory from XL which is sold at RM30, but in Time Machine, it was only RM16, Exactly the same thing. Don't worry, it's not worn or broken or anything. Maybe except the packaging a bit old and dusty, but everything inside PERFECT!

Plus, I saw some AC stuff in XL Times Square and I noticed that their prices are different. Meaning, for example, 1 box of AC-007 is labeled RM118, and the same one below it is labeled RM138. Same exact thing, but different price. I think it will be unfortunate for the person who did not notice the difference and accidentally ter-buy the more expensive one. I'm hoping that the XL staff are "honest" enough to inform their customers about it if they accidentally purchased the RM138 one, that it is only RM118, than thinking about making a quick profit (if that is their plan) or I suppose is a human error to wrongly label a different price on the same product.

Also, I'm sad to say this about XL, but I'm not sorry to talk about it.
I emailed them several times (3-4 times) on some stock ordering question and not even one of my emails is replied back. Is that how the XL people do their business? Ignore their customers? I mean I'm not asking stupid questions, like "Why choose the name XL for your shop, why not XXXXL?" I'm asking about sales-related questions like "What are your operating hours?" and "What are the charges for delivery to Subang Jaya?" Simple questions that can be answered in less than 5 minutes. I should be asking the question, "You guys want my business or not?"

Since that day are being so "irresponsible" and being so "rude" about it, I decided to take my business to Time Machine. Not only do they reply all my emails with full detailed answers, but when I was at their store, the staff are not only friendly and helpful but they were quite informative. When I asked where they put their AC stuff, this woman led me to the cabinet and she told me which unit has only one left, which unit is their best seller, the difference between some of the models, etc. I know that at times, this can be annoying but at least you know that you are being treated as a customer, and because of this, I will guarantee go back to them for my business. Even when I was leaving their store, they still asked that whether I would be interested in Transformers (although I am not) and they explained in detail about what they have and what they are bringing in. Customer valued service. They even gave me their store card and informed me to email them, so that they can inform me on their next arrival of AC products, which is the Mirage C-02 Uranus coming in this weekend. I'm not interested in it but if you guys are, go Time Machine. So, this shows that Time Machine do appreciate their customers' business.

Thanx

TM just bring down their price on AC recently
their old price is almost same with XL previously



AC kits do have something like "HK" & "Jap" version like some other toys
the cheaper price that you've seen is source from HK
which the shipping fee is lower

Normally XL 1st batch toys are more expensive due to the reason it's shipped from Japan
then the 2nd batch or the rest is mainly from HK
which will bring down the shipping cost & XL can sell cheaper on the toy



Which email you've emailed to?
So far never heard anyone complain that they didn't reply other people's email
All of their email has been replied by XL

TM is well known for scalping the toys
if that particular toy is not selling everywhere or it's out of stock in the market
then you'll see their price higher a lot

My advise is always go compare the price before you purchase anything from any shops
some shops offer better price on certain item & some shops better price in other items

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Added on September 11, 2007, 1:38 pmWhich Red Mirage are you refering to?
Nineball or this Red Metallic Color Mirage Gaea (http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10057912)?

Nineball will be release on December, with no cup inside it
Red Metallic Mirage Gaea is absolutely same with the AC-001 Mirage Gaea
just the color is different & no cup is included inside

If you said the RM 198 is the Mirage Gaea event limited edition
then inside it has some promotion video inside the box, no cup also

This post has been edited by whoami123: Sep 11 2007, 01:38 PM

First of all, you sure know a lot about what you're saying, bro. I respect.

About the email part, I emailed to sales@xl-shop.com
Is it correct as I got this email from the main website www.xl-shop.com ?

About the HK and Japan thing, I'm not sure, but what I saw was exactly the same product, same box, same everything. And I do compare prices, DUH!! That's why I got the Weapon Accessory for only RM16 compared to the RM30 price tag at XL.

I'm not sure if it's Nineball or what. But what I know is that there was a Blue Gaea and BLACK Gaea sitting side-by-side with really different prices. That's why I asked. (Sorry about the mixed up. I meant Black Gaea not Red Gaea. My bad. ). see pictures below......



What's the difference except for the color and the RM60 difference in price tag?

But I'm not waiting for Nineball. I'm waiting for Tellus. You can see it on the 2nd page of this Topic.
Thanx for help, bro. post up pictures of your AC models if you have any.

This post has been edited by STYC: Sep 11 2007, 05:26 PM

Black Gaea comes with a cup?

STYC
Yeah, that's the email XL use for answering all the questions
I'm not sure why they're not replying you
I always call them if I've things to ask

All my AC are from Japan, so I'm not sure what's the differences between HK & Japan
My most recent purchase of Uranus is from HK
& I noticed there's a warning sticker written in Chinese
maybe that's the only thing can let you know it's from HK

For sure the runners & contents are the same
just that HK ver. are the batch of stock which distribute for HK toy shops to sell

Black Gaea is event limited edition
nothing much different from the original Gaea except color & has a AC4 game promotion video inside the box (according to the TM aunty)
TM always sell those limited ver. of toys at a much higher price

WOW!! You know a lot of stuff on AC, bro.
YOU DA MAN!!!
Thanx

XL don't reply my emails must be because I'm black or something.

This post has been edited by STYC: Sep 12 2007, 07:37 PM

Hi ppl.....no offence to XL fans.Service and price wise,I think i support TM.No doubts.Even for Gundams and Keroro.

Armored Core topic here not whether or not XL is better than TM or not.

Thanx

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Added on September 15, 2007, 1:41 pmUPDATE!

Armored Core update, bros. I've almost completed my Rayleonard 03-Aaliyah Model. Will post the picture by tomorrow or the following day. All I can say is that, the Rayleonard is probably the best AC model I've invested in. The detail seems to be a lot better than the rest of the other AC models I have. And the color co-ordination of the model is also superb. Black, gold, silver.

I would recommend all AC fans to get their hands on a Rayleonard unit, if possible. Only one bad thing is that, due to some VERY detailed parts, some parts are actually very, very, very, very tiny to assemble. Have fun.

This post has been edited by STYC: Sep 15 2007, 01:41 PM

One more thing before I forget. If anyone knows a shop to buy AC weapon accessories, post it here, man.

STYC bro,i think u can directly call them up (XL) to ask them the question....... all the phone number are in their website...... faster response too cheers.....btw any news for new big2 size armored core out???? it seems armored core/kotobukiya like to repeat the same mold with diff colour .....boring ....

See page 2 of this topic. The Y-07 Tellus will the biggest Armored Core unit ever produced. Scheduled to be out by October. Not sure exact date.

WARNING! WARNING! Mirage C04-ATRAS Fox Eye Ver. Approaching!

As stated before Tellus is scheduled to be release somewhere in October. And a month after that, in November, another member of the 'Mirage' Armored Core unit is releasing the Mirage C04-ATRAS Fox Eye Ver. Take a look at the pictures below. This AC is also HUGE!!

In my opinion, the head is ugly. It looks like the helmet from the medieval times of knights or crusaders.



This post has been edited by STYC: Sep 16 2007, 12:53 PM

Longtime Armored Core fan here reporting. Been playing the game since 10 years ago. Haven't decide whether I'm gonna buy the model kits or not. They're a lot pricier than HGUC 1/144 Gundams that I'm used to collect and assemble, but they do seem to have far superior details than Gundam models. Currently occupied with 1/6 action figures, so I'm stuck in a dilemma between that and Armored Core.

If you had played Armored Core 3 and Armored Core 3 Silent Line, you'd probably have better respect for that head unit the AC's using. In the game, the head unit there has one of the best defense against energy weapons (and a built-in radar W00t!), and it isn't that heavy, so lighter and middleweight ACs can equip it without too much sacrifice on the equipment. An AC's head unit isn't really that great of a contributor for Armor Points and Solid/Energy defense, but every bit, even a little, counts and it may just help you turn the tides of battle during harder missions.

But what am I saying, this is the model kits we are discussing, not the game itself.

This post has been edited by Hangmen: Sep 16 2007, 04:27 PM

juz buy head and change the head.....haha

going to own one soon ^^

Welcome, bro. Welcome to Armored Core. I'll try to answer all your questions, bro.

The reason they're a lot pricier is because of a few things:
1. They're size is 1/72 which means in Gundam size it would be 1/100 and not 1/144.
2. Their details are way way way way way (1000x) better than Gundam. Every part of the AC requires assembly including the eye, face and antenna on the head, the detailed booster on the back, and every armor plating on the body. Lots of work, dude.

I didn't really went that much into Armored Core 3. But I did played a lot of AC2. I know that the head gives lots of armor and stuff, but still, I don't like the looks.
Somehow, it looks like waste paper basket to me. HAHAHAHA
Sorry, it's just my opinion. Different people have different taste. For example, I like the Tank-Legs. Some of my friends like the Quad-legs (spider legs, is what we call them ).

My suggestion to you would be to get just 1 AC model kit. The cheapest is RM118. Just buy one, assemble it, put it on display in your cabinet or somewhere and then you decide on whether or not they are a good investment. To me, for the details and the time I have to spent to assemble just one AC kit sometimes takes a week, and to me, that's money worth.

If you wanna know more on the advantages of buying the AC model kit, check page 2 or page 3 of this Topic. I think I've posted up a quite detailed description of what and what not to expect when buying AC model kits.

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Added on September 17, 2007, 4:09 amThe head's not the only thing, bro. For some reason, the more I look at it, the AC unit looks kinda "clumsy". It just looks.................. looks...............fat.............

But I still prefer to get my hands on the Tellus

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Added on September 17, 2007, 4:10 amWhen you do finish assembling it, dude, do post up your AC unit here. Thanx

This post has been edited by STYC: Sep 17 2007, 04:10 AM

It's hard to compare AC with Gundam model kits price & quality
unless there's another company producing AC model kits

The cheapest AC model I've seen so far is Dual Face & the latest Uranus
both were selling at RM 98 in XL for certain batch
but I'm not sure XL still has those batch in their shop now

You can't "REALLY" compare AC with Gundam, but you actually can. I mean why not?

The AC model kits are 1/72, approximately the size of a 1/100 Gundam. So if you buy a RM98 AC kit and a RM98 1/100 Gundam (if any), why can't you compare them?

You can check their stock in www.xl-shop.com

I said cannot compare is due to:
1) Both not same series of robot
2) Different company will have different standard to put the price for their product
We can't just compare a model with the plastic quantity or size
it has many hidden cost behind to produce a model
for example, license & copyrights charge, no. of stock produced

Kobotukiya just started their plastic model kits business not long ago
AC is one of the Kotobukiya's plastic model "pioneer"
it still can't match with Bandai Gundam models in term of plastic quality & user friendliness
if you do buy AC from the beginning until the latest one
you'll find out AC is improving

XL website is not totally up to date
it's better to call their shop to check the stock availability
sometimes the item is sold out but XL didn't update their website