[quote name='GBAstar']Yes but I can't consider it a good alternative because not only would I be paying double I'd be importing it on eBay which is an awful idea because if it arrives damaged in order to win a SNAD claim you MUST return it with tracking and the seller is under no obligation to pay the return shipping...
do you know how much shipping costs with tracking outside the country? You're looking at a minimum of $30[/QUOTE]
I have at least 15 (if not more... actually, certainly more) steelbooks that are imported as well as COUNTLESS collector's editions from UK/Australia/Germany. I am such a fuss pot that the tiniest imperfection or crease on a box and I no longer want the item. My entire import collection is from ebay, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Ebay allows you to be a proactive customer. You can ask extremely nit picky questions about the condition of the item. If you don't like the answer, don't buy from them. You can also dictate how you want it shipped BEFORE you buy it. If they won't comply, don't buy from them. There is no other site that you can do that. You hope they send you one that doesn't have any imperfections, and you hope they pack it well; it really just sucks. Ebay is far and away the best place to import from due to these reasons.
Out of years of importing on ebay I've needed to open a case over an issue probably 3 times. Those times were hassles, but that's not indicative of the whole picture. Usually, if you do run across a problem, sellers will go ahead and help you fix it.
I completely get that paying twice as much (even though it's still a low amount for an import steelbook) isn't exactly 'ideal'. It is, however, patently incorrect to say that ebay is bad for importing. My mammoth amount of perfect condition imports strongly disagree with you! lol