Amazon JP has it up but it's 3rd Party sellers at 54,900 yen. Might be a good placeholder to watch. https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B08627J...&sr=8-1&swrs=58EEE6D37F25D88348AF789FACF2A4CC
Managed to get Spider-Man stuff but the freedom Gundam escaped me all we can do now is wait for the american retailers
Woke up briefly and saw that the Freedom was sold out all over. Honestly, the process of collecting these is no fun anymore...
The Metal Build buying process reminds me of those commercials for Dollar Shave Club, the ones where store employees actively prevented customers from buying retail razors, and the ad would say something to the effect of "it's like they don't WANT you to buy their razors".
The good thing is unlike DX chogokin Macross pre-orders, anything metal build will get international releases so there's many more chances out there to get a pre-order in. Although, US retailers are a little more unpredictable when they are going to put up orders. More recently, Bandai has also been limiting stock to US retailers in attempt to not overstock. I remember the 1st MB Freedom sat around and went on sale at quite a few places, but I do not believe that will happen for the 2.0. I'll be on the look out and post links when I can.
This was brought up elsewhere but why do collectors in the US bother with Bandai's regular JP release when it will come out here as well domestically? Some others that are in the Asian region tend to buy on JP PO night because it ends up quite cheaper for them rather than buying locally. If we (US based) order on JP PO night, we lower their chances of getting a good deal. Of course, I'm only referring to the limited quantity POs (mostly Bandai). Is it just for the thrill? I was up last night when it started to observe how it went since I couldn't sleep as well. I had multiple chances to snag one but didn't eventhough I felt that excitement. The prices end up the same if not, very close, to the total (expedited shipping included) when you buy on JP PO night.
Usually significantly cheaper to import from regular jp-shops (incl amz-jp) during po-times than to buy the same item from, say, bbts. If you get lucky enough to secure a po from the jp-shops, that is...
In my experience, buying from Japan usually ends up being significantly cheaper ($20+) so that adds up to me. But I never use expedited shipping. Other than that, knowing when the item is going to go up helps and yes, there is a bit of excitement trying to get an order in. Preorder madness is like the new “hunt”. Plus, you say you had several chances to get it but you never know until you actually get that confirmation email and even then, some shops are known to oversell and cancel your order.
Compared to BBTS, yeah. I think since the online purchase tax was implemented here, I see that as a good reason. My state has a weird online purchase tax rule so I can avoid that with some online retailers that do low business volume to my state. I guess it doesn't end up the same for states that absolutely enforce collecting tax for online purchases.
Other than the reasons, mentioned above from the other posters, I won't speak for others, but if I can get it internationally from a Japanese retailer on pre-order you will get the item sooner (1 month) and it's easy to predict when most Japanese retailers will post their pre-orders. US retailers will post their pre-orders a day or a week later and usually during times when I'm at work or in school so I usually miss a lot of hot items at US retailers.
It's great for availability for people in the US who can take advantage of Blufin bringing things over, but it doesn't change anything for those not in the US. For me in Canada, if I were to wait until Blufin supplies it to US online retailers, I'd be paying a significant chunk more than if I order straight from JP online retailers.
This is very true! DX Macross are very limited to some stores. I have no choice but no get it from JP sites as they are much more cheaper. I live in NZ so we don't have much stores that carry this items - it is becoming more popular now though. The prices would be almost double here.
It has begun on this side: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom Gundam Concept 2 Metal Build Action Figure - Entertainment Earth
Awesome. It still hurts to get screwed over by HLJ's cart system glitching out on me, but this worked.
This hobby has officially priced me out. And ya'll need too update your insurance policies for buying it...
