Fri 2008/12/05 19:40
I believe most of us prefer to get our stuff locally to avoid the troublesome (and sometimes expensive) shipping costs. However, what if all fails and your local store does not stock the item you seek? Even worse, what if your country doesn't have an anime-based store at all? You have no choice but to bring the search online. Which sites do you guys trust and shop at? The information would be pretty useful for some of us out here. P.S I have been trying to find ONE, just a SINGLE Robot Soul figure, whatever the make, in Singapore since god knows when, and till now I'm still unable to find one. I want that Gawain so badly, bleh. Hoping to pre-order it somewhere.
Posted on Fri 2008/12/05 19:40 by
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This 1/7 scale B-Club figure of Karen can be yours for a laughable 13,440 yen this October...(more)
Wed 09/26 09:23 comments (10)
Slacker, Student, tutor
Ive tried a few shops recently, namely plamoya.com and hwjapan.com. And thus far, I'm very pleased with the results. I was able to get my Sol International Kallen from plamoya when no one else carried her for a great price, and got the HY2M God Finger set from hwjapan (damn near impossible to get any where else). Though most of my stuff online has been bought from hlj.com. Ive been shopping with those guys for nearly 8 years now, and every single packaged arrived safely at my doorstep. Hobbyfan.com can be rather nice for PVC's as their prices aren't too bad. Hope this helps!
(ID #399884) Posted on 2008/12/05 19:49
plamoya, hwjapan and hobbyfan did not offer any pre-orders for the Gawain, but I'll save those websites for future purchases. Thanks.
(ID #399908) Posted on 2008/12/05 20:31
Slacker, Student, tutor
Yes it is mate. I place my pre-order for the damashii Gawain not too long ago through hobbyfan.com
(ID #400584) Posted on 2008/12/06 09:52
I get all my hard to get stuff here: http://myworld.ebay.com/wolala1971/
(ID #399894) Posted on 2008/12/05 20:05
For online store, I only order through HLJ simply because they offer SAL shipping. Highly recommended since they have never failed me. Though, with the ever rising yen, I still prefer pre-ordering from local stores.
(ID #399895) Posted on 2008/12/05 20:08
Hmm, mind referring some local stores where I can pre-order stuff? Thanks.
(ID #399910) Posted on 2008/12/05 20:34
Student, Slave to the Education System ~(For Video Reviews of Figures and more, click 'Actar's Reviews ' on my Blog Roll)
Latendo. They are a store in Kallang. One of the 2 more famous stores in Singapore. They have the Gawain up for pre-order.
(ID #399982) Posted on 2008/12/05 21:33
Can I email them or will I need to make a trip down? Thanks, I'll check them out when I'm near the area.
(ID #400004) Posted on 2008/12/05 21:56
ToysnToys at China Square Central. I only pre-order from them simply because they are trustworthy and pre-order price is very decent.
(ID #401183) Posted on 2008/12/06 20:25
The gawain is extreme coolness...with extreme price as well...if i remember correctly it costs around 9000 yen???
(ID #399899) Posted on 2008/12/05 20:13
Haha, extreme indeed. Hobby point lists it as 6800 yen. Within my budget though, since I don't quite like the other Geass mecha.
(ID #399906) Posted on 2008/12/05 20:26
Game Designer & 2D Artist
Ebay, Fan2fan, Play-asia all comes to mind :)
(ID #399902) Posted on 2008/12/05 20:19
Unemployed, boooo
I use http://www.hlj.com http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/ http://www.archonia.com/index.php I used to use ebay a long time ago, but there many bootlegs about so you need to be super cautious with it now. I try avoid it.
(ID #399932) Posted on 2008/12/05 20:54
I never did like paypal so I've only used Ebay on a few occasions. Hobby Search is growing on me, haha.
(ID #400005) Posted on 2008/12/05 21:58
resident caffeine junkie
First choice for me would be HLJ. for games and maybe some figs unavailable on HLJ, I go to Play-asia.com. As a last resort, often for hard to find anime goodies, I look to ebay; enfproshop and wolala1972. I rarely go to local anime shops because if it isn't extortion it's not there yet or it's not there at all.
(ID #399967) Posted on 2008/12/05 21:21
Student, Slave to the Education System ~(For Video Reviews of Figures and more, click 'Actar's Reviews ' on my Blog Roll)
Hello!!! The Garwain and the Guren Flight Type is up for pre-order at LaTendo.
(ID #399978) Posted on 2008/12/05 21:30
Student, Slave to the Education System ~(For Video Reviews of Figures and more, click 'Actar's Reviews ' on my Blog Roll)
I visit Latendo most of all. Don't just visit KKnM or Ani-Play or China Square Central.
(ID #399981) Posted on 2008/12/05 21:31
Thanks, do you know how much it will be selling for? Haha, currently, I do not have sources for made ready models (Mobile Suit in Action figures / GFF models) in Singapore. I only get know where to get unmade model kits, mostly in Sunshine plaza. Where are these "KKnM or Ani-Play or China Square Central" locations? What do they sell? Thanks again. :)
(ID #400008) Posted on 2008/12/05 22:01
Student, Slave to the Education System ~(For Video Reviews of Figures and more, click 'Actar's Reviews ' on my Blog Roll)
Er... KKnM is an anime shop at Sunshine Plaza. All of these shops have anime figures/merchandise. Gundams and Models also.
(ID #400085) Posted on 2008/12/05 23:03
Hmm I think you've probably searched at Rapidculture right? I've managed to make a surprising discovery there. On a side note, I think that the code geass models are a tad ugly, probably because of the texture/colour of the plastic
(ID #399985) Posted on 2008/12/05 21:35
Personally, I feel the buldging cockpit makes the mechas look less streamline, but I do like the overall design of them though. Apparently, they're giving the Gawain a glossy finish.
(ID #400009) Posted on 2008/12/05 22:03
*bulging
(ID #400020) Posted on 2008/12/05 22:10
Game Designer & 2D Artist
rapidculture in singapore is a very good place if you preorder from them. I don't think they keep many in stock.
(ID #400010) Posted on 2008/12/05 22:03
Sorry, my knowledge of hobby shops in Singapore are quite limited. Do you know where they are located and the range of products they sell? Thanks.
(ID #400027) Posted on 2008/12/05 22:13
Student, Slave to the Education System ~(For Video Reviews of Figures and more, click 'Actar's Reviews ' on my Blog Roll)
How can I contact you? I have all the info, but no way to send it...
(ID #400111) Posted on 2008/12/05 23:19
Hi, drop me a mail at un1ver5e@hotmail.com? Thanks.
(ID #400495) Posted on 2008/12/06 08:18
I prefer ordering online because prices around here usually wind up either being the equivalent to a figure bought in Japan with shipping, or they will be months after the Japanese release with no guarantee that it will show up at all. So I just visit these stores to see if I can uncover a gem that I missed, rather than going there with a specific figure in mind.
(ID #400088) Posted on 2008/12/05 23:04
Please not that Latendo prices are not so 'fantastic'. Also, location wise maybe out of way for some. Actar, I hope you are not trying to promote Latendo due to good terms with them. Hi un1ver5e, pls dun be mistaken. Ani-play sells comics and PVC shipped from US market. KKnM sells PVC figures, anime merchandises and is COSPA distributor. Both Shops are located at Sunshine Plaza. For 'Toys & Toys', the shop is the local distributor for GSC, Koto, Yamato stuffs (and they bring in bandai stuff also). The shops is located at China Square Central. For singaporeans, Please try the following model shops: 1) Rapid Culture @ Orchard cineleisure 2) Hobbypoint @ Tiong Bahru plaza or Suntec city 3) HobbyArt Gallery @ Sunshine plaze 4) and of course Latendo at Kallang Leisure park.
(ID #400096) Posted on 2008/12/05 23:10
Student, Slave to the Education System ~(For Video Reviews of Figures and more, click 'Actar's Reviews ' on my Blog Roll)
Yeah, well... I'm not promoting them, it's just my recommendation. I also love the uncle at NG's collectibles at China Square Central. I'm just stating my preference, as Latendo is also near my school. But I've bought stuff from every store before. ALL STORES IN SG ARE GREAT.
(ID #400116) Posted on 2008/12/05 23:22
Haha, I think he's just trying to help. Personally, I do refer people to HAG alot when people ask me where to get model kits, because they do have one of the most competitive prices in Singapore, although I have no connections to them. Thanks for the info, it helps greatly. Do you happen to know which of the shops have cheaper prices though? I browsed thorough Rapid Culture and the Hobbypoint at Suntec a number of times. Take their 1/100 Akatsuki, last time I checked, both shops were selling in the range of SG$120, while I bought mine at SG$80.
(ID #400503) Posted on 2008/12/06 08:33
As you mentioned, HAG prices are much better. Although, I know them personally, does not mean I am helping to promote them. Also, 'M workshop' @ sunshine plaza & 'Actung' @ parklane also sell gundam model kits. Sometimes, shopping centre sales (Takashimaya, OG, Seiyu) are quite good during those festive season times. It is a matter of preference of where you get the model kits. Let me ask you: pay abit more but able to obtain latest kit information and even modelling tips, or pay lower just for the sake of getting it cheaper? Note that there is no need to rush for model kits upon first release. No matter what, there is enough supply to go around. You just have to wait for the rite time. Note: I am not into modelling and also not collecting gundam model kits. The above are my own IMO and do not show favourtism to particular shops. :)
(ID #400711) Posted on 2008/12/06 12:09
Forgot to mention, 'Mikelz' @ lucky chinatown also sells Gundam model kits. Anyway, we are slightly off topic. If you need more info, can visit my link. Have a nice day.
(ID #400717) Posted on 2008/12/06 12:18
NEET
HLJ, EBAY (trusted seller only), play-asia
(ID #400121) Posted on 2008/12/05 23:26
Student
I pre ordered my Gawain at HLJ. <3 Too bad about the Yen though. I pay like 10 Euro more. I buy online because it's like 100% cheaper. I order my Gunplas at HLJ. I'm thinking of switching over to http://www.toyking.com.tw/ for my gunpla since it's cheaper than R10 and HLJ.
(ID #400132) Posted on 2008/12/05 23:43
Toyking.com? Are they trustworthy? I explored the site and it seems to be in broken english. Not sure whether I'll entrust my credit card information to them.
(ID #400506) Posted on 2008/12/06 08:36
Student
I read positive comments about toyking. I think I'm going to test the site by buying a cheap 1/144 HG kit.
(ID #401044) Posted on 2008/12/06 17:55
has anyone heard anything or had experience with hobbywave.com?
(ID #400174) Posted on 2008/12/06 00:25
I prefer to use Hobby Search over anyone else, HLJ comes next. J-list once in a while.
(ID #400207) Posted on 2008/12/06 00:54
Night Stalker
Gawain the Last Robot Damashii im planning to buy!!! its a Big Mecha Knightmare Frame AHHH exited buying it!!!!
(ID #400236) Posted on 2008/12/06 01:30
Gawain > Zangetsu > Gurren > Lancelot ^^ I don't like how the Lancelot looks.
(ID #400511) Posted on 2008/12/06 08:38
university film student
"I believe most of us prefer to get our stuff locally to avoid the troublesome (and sometimes expensive) shipping costs. However, what if all fails and your local store does not stock the item you seek?" Unfortunately, the single local store hardly ever has the item I seek. I don't bother checking any more and order exclusively online. Most of the time it's from Hobby Search, which many people have linked to already.
(ID #400289) Posted on 2008/12/06 02:36
Even if there are local stores, they aren't always credible... one particular store sold only fake anime merchandise. It was kind of sad... Another shop that did sell real merchandise resorted to posting up signs that say "AUTHENTIC!" and such. If a shop doesn't have a particular item in stock, I usually give them some time and wait until they receive the next shipment. Failing that, they might be able to place special orders... I rarely shop online. I only ordered my Asakura figure online and that was from HobbyLink Japan. I believe they're quite trustworthy.
(ID #400341) Posted on 2008/12/06 03:31
gits_sac, un1ver5e 2) Hobbypoint @ Tiong Bahru plaza or Suntec city: Add Hobbypoint @ Century Square in Tampines & Hobbypoint @ Heartland Mall in Hougang for those who happen to live around that vicinity.
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