[Edwin29]

The infamous month of November, it's like all the figure companies got together and came up with this brilliant idea of releasing a shit-ton of awesome figures just in one month and give us a big you if we can't afford it.

here is mine for November:
Godoka http://img.amiami.jp...IG-MOE-5949.jpg

Evangelion - Asuka Langley http://img.amiami.jp...IG-MOE-0953.jpg

Evangelion - Rei Ayanami http://img.amiami.jp...OB-FIG-6712.jpg

Oboro Muramasa http://img.amiami.jp...IG-MOE-1726.jpg

[Tempius]

I preordered Momohime. Looks like I have a new Hobby.

[Neuropod]

Samus Figma is back in stock at Amiami: (link)

[lilman]

^ Sold out again.

Both Samus figures are in stock at Hobby Link Japan (although they are both noted as "low stock" so will probably sell out soon):
[SOLD OUT] Samus Figma: http://www.hlj.com/product/MAX06221
[SOLD OUT] Zero Suit Samus: http://www.hlj.com/product/MAX04142
-Edit- All gone.

Edited by lilman, 20 July 2012 - 07:52 PM.

[Rasen]

I've searched online for reviews, but I'm hoping for some more personal testimony. What do people think about HobbylinkJapan and AmiAmi? In terms of reliability and if they can be trusted to sell authentic goods? Ever get a Chinese counterfeit?

[lilman]

Their goods are always 100% authentic! All of the sites in the op are trusted by the figure collecting community and have no reports of bootlegs. They get their stock directly from the manufacturers.

The only op site I don't know enough about is Nippon-Yasan, but I haven't come across any negative reviews of them (other than their speed and sometimes unresponsive customer service).

[wbc1228]

^ Sold out again.

Both Samus figures are in stock at Hobby Link Japan (although they are both noted as "low stock" so will probably sell out soon):
[SOLD OUT] Samus Figma: http://www.hlj.com/product/MAX06221
Zero Suit Samus: http://www.hlj.com/product/MAX04142

Samus Figma is OOS????????????
no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
can't believe I missed the restock by a few hours
:cry:

[Dezner]

Oh wow, cool to see the delicious Momohime getting a reprint. I love my figure of her from two years back. Definitely worth the money!

And, DAMMIT, I didn't know there was a Neptune figure from Hyperdimension Neptunia, now I have to buy it. :( :p

Edited by SinnerChrno, 20 July 2012 - 02:28 PM.

[Edwin29]

Dv8mad is selling one Neptunia figure here in Cheapassgamer.
http://www.cheapassg...ad.php?t=270054

[lilman]

And, DAMMIT, I didn't know there was a Neptune figure from Hyperdimension Neptunia, now I have to buy it. :( :p

Never heard of this series, but are you referring to this figure: http://myfigurecolle....net/item/96486

If so, it's in stock at HS and HLJ:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10173867
http://www.hlj.com/product/QSQ84052
She is 6840 JPY at both sites, so including SAL registered shipping it should be ~$105.

From the Tsuki-board comments, there seems to be some quality issues that shouldn't have happened on such an expensive figure. The user pics show some reddish bleed on her legs. Makes it a harder decision :/

[Rasen]

I have to say that while I don't like most Figma and their ugly joints, I think Samus pulls it off nicely because of the full body armor.

[Dezner]

Never heard of this series, but are you referring to this figure: http://myfigurecolle....net/item/96486

If so, it's in stock at HS and HLJ:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10173867
http://www.hlj.com/product/QSQ84052
She is 6840 JPY at both sites, so including SAL registered shipping it should be ~$105.

From the Tsuki-board comments, there seems to be some quality issues that shouldn't have happened on such an expensive figure. The user pics show some reddish bleed on her legs. Makes it a harder decision :/

Yeah, that's true. I'd be more hesitant with a weird paint job like that. :(

[dragoon99]

I'll hopefully be getting my Samus Figma on Monday. I can't wait to see it in person.

This will be my first Figma. Anyone who has it, how is the mobility? Any complaint about the joints?

[Lightning00]

I'll hopefully be getting my Samus Figma on Monday. I can't wait to see it in person.

This will be my first Figma. Anyone who has it, how is the mobility? Any complaint about the joints?

Imo they're pretty good, sturdy, and pretty mobile(the only complaint I have is that the obvious joint but with Samus I think it could work out). They're way better then the play-art kai I own.

Also Alisa from God Eater Burst is on pre-order now, but it seem like the pre-order on amiami is getting sold out

http://www.amiami.co...E-5677&page=top

Edited by Lightning00, 22 July 2012 - 12:30 AM.

[Edwin29]

When you make the payment paypal does the conversion rate for you. 1 US dollar is around 78 Yens.

[Rasen]

Dangit, something must be wrong with me. I already made the decision not to order Alisa, and yet as soon as I hear pre-orders are running out....argh.

I'm very new to the figure scene, so I'm a little curious: how difficult is it to get a figure close to the pre-order price, if pre-orders have stopped and the item has been officially released? I guess what I'm trying to ask is do the companies continue to manufacture the figure for sale (and if so, for how long), or do they stop with the number of pre-orders?

[lilman]

I'm very new to the figure scene, so I'm a little curious: how difficult is it to get a figure close to the pre-order price, if pre-orders have stopped and the item has been officially released? I guess what I'm trying to ask is do the companies continue to manufacture the figure for sale (and if so, for how long), or do they stop with the number of pre-orders?

Figures are usually cheapest when preordered. Note that preorder prices at sites like AmiAmi are ~20% under msrp. Once the figure is released, the price usually increases to msrp (or something like 5% under).

You can sometimes snag a less popular figure a few months after release at a discount when sites get tired of holding the extra stock, but it's not something you should count on. Most sites have either a continuous sale area or hold a sale every few months. AmiAmi, for example, has a continuous sale area that they add to/sell out at any time: http://www.amiami.co...age/c/sale.html

Most (all?) figure companies do not produce additional stock after release. They may make more than enough to cover preorders, but there is no guarantee.

Basically, if you want a figure, preorder it.

[Rasen]

Basically, if you want a figure, preorder it.

Nuts.

Thanks for the detailed answer, I'll definitely keep it in mind for when a particularly elegant model is announced. But speaking as a person who is almost allergic to pre-orders - nuts.

Still, thanks for the introduction to these sites where these figures can be ordered. I know a significant part of why I tried to avoid buying figures was because the places I saw had them way overpriced. (Japanese eBay sellers - though once a figure has stopped being made, I suppose they're really the only way to get figures....please correct me if I'm wrong. )

Of course now, my only defense against wasteful spending is trying to draw the line between "figures that will get me written off as a nerd," and "figures that might land me on a list of sexual deviants - Hello Dizzy."

Edited by Rasen, 22 July 2012 - 02:53 PM.

[lilman]

I know a significant part of why I tried to avoid buying figures was because the places I saw had them way overpriced. (Japanese eBay sellers - though once a figure has stopped being made, I suppose they're really the only way to get figures....please correct me if I'm wrong. )

eBay is almost always overpriced and full of bootlegs. Very difficult to get an authentic figure and/or a good price there.

My favorite second hand shop is Mandarake: http://ekizo.mandarake.co.jp/shop/en/
Mandarake is a collection of Japanese stores that buy items from collectors and then resell them in store and through their site. These items are often unopened, and even if they have been opened, the figures are usually in excellent condition. I have found a few rare figures there at very reasonable prices (wayyy cheaper than eBay). Usually what I buy is marked as "box resealed", but when I get it I can't tell the difference between that and brand new. Since they are in Japan, you end up paying the same shipping as the sites in op.

The trick to using Mandarake is that they charge 500 yen fee if your order is under 5000 yen. Shipping and this fee is charged separately by store, not by order. I only place an order when I have enough items from a single store. Also, an item on the site may sell out that day in store, so there is a chance part or all of your order will be cancelled after placing. You'll get an email within 24hrs of placing your order. I always check the "cancel whole order if item is out of stock" for each item in my order so that my order can never dip below 5000 yen.

Another second hand Japanese shop is Jungle: http://jungle-scs.co.jp/index_e.cgi
I haven't used them yet, but I've heard only good things about them. It's the same basic idea as Mandarake, but you pay 5% fee for total order regardless of cost rather than 500 yen fee below 5000 yen. With Jungle, I don't think you have to worry about which stores your items are coming from, but not 100% sure.

-Edit-
Almost forgot, it's a good idea to search for a figure by its Japanese series or character name. Just find the figure in http://myfigurecollection.net/, then copy/paste the origin or character Japanese text. You may get some results that you wouldn't with English text search.

Edited by lilman, 22 July 2012 - 04:42 PM.

[Rasen]

eBay is almost always overpriced and full of bootlegs. Very difficult to get an authentic figure and/or a good price there.

Yeaaah....I decided to err on the side of US sellers, sometimes with used stock. Costs quite a bit more than the really affordable models where the sellers are based in China. Also had to confirm the packaging had the hologram stickers on them. Any other factors I should consider?

My favorite second hand shop is Mandarake: http://ekizo.mandarake.co.jp/shop/en/
Mandarake is a collection of Japanese stores that buy items from collectors and then resell them in store and through their site.

Dammit, they also sell doujin at reasonable prices! (Though in retrospect, may not want USED doujin.....). My savings! They are disappearing! (donotgetdizzyuntilihavegivenuponwomendonotgetdizzyuntilihavegivenuponwomendonotgetdizzyuntilihavegivenuponwomen)

Thanks again for the information! You are saving me a trip to Japan and a very awkward time back through customs. My wallet is weeping though....

[lilman]

Yeaaah....I decided to err on the side of US sellers, sometimes with used stock. Costs quite a bit more than the really affordable models where the sellers are based in China. Also had to confirm the packaging had the hologram stickers on them. Any other factors I should consider?

US seller and hologram on box are good things to look for. Note that not all authentic boxes necessarily have a hologram (I have a few that don't).

The best way to spot a bootleg figure is to look at the quality. Look closely at its face. Details like eyes and hair are hard to bootleg properly. Compare the figure with the Tsuki-board official images. If you think "this figure looks kinda off", it's fake.

China and HK eBay figure sellers are usually selling bootlegs. If something like "Chinese version" appears anywhere in the listing, it is a fake. Japanese sellers are usually legit. A good trick is to check the seller's other items and quantities. If there are many iffy looking items, and each item has numerous stock, they are probably all fake.

Always check the Tsuki-board page for a figure before purchasing to see if a counterfeit exists (it will say so in red in the Details area, like on this page:http://myfigurecolle....net/item/42032).

-Edit-
Btw, Mandarake items are always legit, just like the sites in op.

Edited by lilman, 22 July 2012 - 06:25 PM.

[Rasen]

Sorry to be such a constant bother, I'm trying to learn more, and for whatever reason, I trust information from people on CAG over anywhere else...

For Mandrake, what would you suggest in terms of shipping methods? I know you seem to prefer SAL over EMS, but what about DHL? Mandrake claims DHL has a special low rate for them, but...how low?

Also, for the 2nd hand stores, do their prices ever drop for an item no longer in production, or if there's a specific price point I'm hoping for, I'd have better luck keeping an eye on eBay for some collector getting rid of their collection at a good price?

Edited by Rasen, 22 July 2012 - 07:44 PM.

[lilman]

For Mandrake, what would you suggest in terms of shipping methods? I know you seem to prefer SAL over EMS, but what about DHL? Mandrake claims DHL has a special low rate for them, but...how low?

I don't know DHL prices. Should be a little less than EMS but still noticeably more than SAL. I like saving money more than getting my items fast, so I almost always go SAL.

Also, for the 2nd hand stores, do their prices ever drop for an item no longer in production, or if there's a specific price point I'm hoping for, I'd have better luck keeping an eye on eBay for some collector getting rid of their collection at a good price?

The price doesn't drop once it has been posted, but there can be varying prices of the same item if they have multiple stock. Pricing may reflect box or item condition, or it's just whatever they think is good at the time of posting (since market prices vary over time).

I've got a few good deals through eBay. It's good to look around to determine the current market price, and also know the original msrp (you can find that on Tsuki-board). If a figure is very rare and heavily sought, you will probably pay a premium no matter where you shop. The most I've paid for a figure was around $220 from eBay US seller for http://myfigurecollection.net/item/388. I simply could not find that one cheaper anywhere. The cheapest I can find it for now is 16k yen (~$204) on Mandarake.

Please feel free to ask me any questions. I've been collecting figures for a while and know how hard it is to get started.

Edited by lilman, 22 July 2012 - 08:05 PM.

[Edwin29]

For the CAGs still interested in the Samus Aran Figma, it's now back in stock on Amiami, don't know how long will last though.

[covenant115]

Hey I recently got this Final Fantasy X-2 Yuna Vynal statue. I'm looking to sell it and it would go great with any Final Fantasy collector. It is a very rare statue and it is in the box brand new

Taking offers thanks pm me if any questions

[whoknows]

ZSS for those who missed out.

http://www.hlj.com/product/MAX04142


Got mine finally.

[Rasen]

ZSS for those who missed out.

http://www.hlj.com/product/MAX04142


Got mine finally.

Gone already.

Does anyone know if Amiami will ship videogames over to the States? I know Amazon.co.jp will not, and I'm curious if this is a policy that varies from company to company, or if it's a rule they all have to follow.

Also, does anyone have any experience paying Mandrake with Paypal? I got the confirmation email for my order, but the link only leads to a page that wants my credit card info. (I did send a question to Mandrake, but as I'm now on a clock to make my payment, I'm a little neurotic right now....)

Edited by Rasen, 24 July 2012 - 01:12 AM.

[Lightning00]

Gone already.

Does anyone know if Amiami will ship videogames over to the States? I know Amazon.co.jp will not, and I'm curious if this is a policy that varies from company to company, or if it's a rule they all have to follow.

Also, does anyone have any experience paying Mandrake with Paypal? I got the confirmation email for my order, but the link only leads to a page that wants my credit card info. (I did send a question to Mandrake, but as I'm now on a clock to make my payment, I'm a little neurotic right now....)

Im pretty sure they do ship games to the US as I know people that buy some games for the nendo/figma exclusive(ex. the Nanoha's PSP or the BRS game).

I have paid with paypal before with mandarake and the process was quite easy and hassle free.

Also another video game related figure(well nendo) is on preorder:

http://www.amiami.co...N-4731&page=top

quite cute xD

[Rasen]

I have paid with paypal before with mandarake and the process was quite easy and hassle free.

Ok, I just got a response from Mandrake and the deal was that you apparently can't buy adult-rated items using Paypal (apparently this was also present on their top page), you have to use a credit card. Huh. Lesson learned but what's up with that? Dealing with dv8 has taught me Paypal doesn't give a rat's about the content of your purchase...

Edited by Rasen, 24 July 2012 - 01:17 PM.

[Lightning00]

Ok, I just got a response from Mandrake and the deal was that you apparently can't buy adult-rated items using Paypal (apparently this was also present on their top page), you have to use a credit card. Huh. Lesson learned but what's up with that? Dealing with dv8 has taught me Paypal doesn't give a rat's about the content of your purchase...

Oh yeah they do have that somewhere on the policy, and I think it's cause in some countries they check inside content of packages. Though also apparently paypal forbid to fund adult item unless bought on ebay(figures).

http://www.wired.com...s/2003/03/58208