I've seen a lot of discussion about this across several threads, especially the Fans Toys and Show.Z Store ones, so I thought it would be good to put it all in here. This is for things like prices, shipping times, shipping methods, stock arrival times, and customer service.

For Magic Square and Newage it seems like Chinese stores are a lot cheaper. For XTB prices seem to be the same or close between them. For Fans Toys Chinese stores are around $20-40 less? The Chinese stores seem to get their Fans Toys stock in later than the others, despite them being in the same country as the manufacturer. How do the others ship their stock out to stores?

 

For people in the UK, and maybe elsewhere in Europe too, it's rarely even worth looking at US sites because Chinese sites are always going to be cheaper and faster. I have my favourites but I've never had anything not turn up, or reason to complain about customer service.

The mark-up for the US sites amazes me. I don't think I'd be collecting as much if I had to pay those figures, but then US folks save some on the shipping.

 

Essentially China is cheaper for MS, NA and FT. XTB has regulated their price across the board and I haven't bought a MMC figure in years so idk

 

China is always cheaper on Legends and Fanstoys. MMC and XTB and the like tend to be pretty similar.

In the states, ToyDojo is my go-to. Prices are pretty reasonable, shipping is lightning fast, super responsive, and always get toys in fast - they already have IF Liokaiser

 

AliExpress is another good place to look especially if you're looking for things that are sold out the stores. Was able to find the dx9 stunticons and the toon versions of MMC first aid and StreetWise. Was also able to find a full set of the warbotron computron.

I generally use show Z as the shipping takes about 2 weeks from time of purchase. Sometimes BBB has lower prices. They're bigger items usually take about a month to arrive which drives me a little nuts.

When I was buying stateside I ordered from The Chosen Prime. I live in California so the shipping just took a couple of days since they are based in Arizona.

 

Yeah for us it's just showz if you want cheap and for whatever customs wizardry fast. I don't think that's deliberate just something that happens with showz to Europe. I know people in the US it's much slower using showz than to the UK.

I'd moan about magic square but I already did that in the Bruticus thread.

 

I've been there and it's a strange feeling seeing that much third party stock for sale in a physical store.

 

Bombusbee, too.

 

Interesting thread, I’ll be interested to see the comparison.

FT Gehry (as its recent) is $200 usd before tax in the US (Toy Dojo, TCP etc) however it’s £125 after tax ($164 usd) in the UK at Omegalock. Asia price unknown as of now but will probably be slightly cheaper than the UK price.

I’ll echo the sentiments of @Sandstormer that I would be collecting a lot less if I had to pay US domestic prices.

 

What do they charge to ship? The Chosen Prime will be $199.99 delivered.

 

In Canada the Chinese stores and Ali Express are way cheaper than any North American stores. I've had zero issues with ShowZ and TFSafari, and depending on available promo codes one or the other will typically have the cheaper price at the time stock rolls in.

Absolute best price seems to be the magic combo of a cheaper Aliexpress store, and a promotional period / coupon.

The US shipping costs to Canada make ordering from there a non-starter, and the few Canadian stores aren't competitive on price even if you are local to pick them up.
There's probably a solution to US to Canada if you have a cross boarder warehouse thing in the mix to take advantage of free US shipping cases, but I'd have to differ to those who have figured that out.

 

I once walked in with $600 confident I'd be able to buy everything I wanted.

I walked out humbled, albeit with $600 of cool shit.

The display shelves are also cool, usually some cool existing stuff and lately a handful of MMC prototypes. Plus the employees are always chill.

ToyDojo does free shipping over $150.

Like I said, Legends and FansToys are largely pricier in the States. If it's a small difference i'll still stick to ToyDojo since I like supporting small businesses, and because I owe them. If it's a big difference, back to showz. Stuff like MMC is usually both quicker and either the same price or cheaper at TD.

 

usually quicker and cheaper than SlowZ

 

£7.50 shipping so around $173 shipped

 

XTB may be the same price but it is always faster from China. At least that's my experience.


The only time I will ever use US Stores for anything is for TT Mall Exclusives. Otherwise, there is no point. You can shop around and get that item cheaper. Hell, I'll use Amazon first sometimes.

Also, I don't remember the last time I set foot on a "physical" store other than Costco. All my purchases are online.

 

The difference is Chinese stores get you products cheaper, while the US stores pretend to be nice while also throwing a hissy fit and threatening companies to stop allowing lower prices overseas.

 

Nah, ToyDojo is good people. Can't speak to the others.

Like I said, MMC is partnered with toydojo so their stuff at least is quickest there in my experience, especially exclusives. Snagged an MMC Rollbar two days after the con at TD and ShowZ is just getting them in now.

 

Oh for sure they seem like the one store that is perfectly fine with where things are sitting and just happy people buy from em. I honestly wish I had the funds to buy more 3p just to go through them more.

 

Talking about this kind of comparison, how can you miss Alpha Toy Land ^_*
Alpha Toy Land

Free shipping from US but with Chinese price

 

Also have to respect them for being the only American store to see the writing on the wall and just stop bothering to stock Newage. They know the price is dumb, we know the price is dumb, so why bother? (Instead of continuing to sell overpriced legends and spamming every tfw thread with their advertising...)

Haha so sorry, forgot about the new kids on the block. Yeah, Alpha has good prices and lightning fast shipping.