|
|
Post by Chen on May 23, 2010 10:14:30 GMT -5
Just looks cool plus they know that some will still be sold outside of Japan like in Hong Kong or wherever and like it or not English is becoming the common language most countries speak. Plus they've been doing it since forever I can remember old Diaclone packages that had English writing on it. It's like how non-Asians put Kanji or Chinese calligraphy tattoo's on their bodies just looks cool and exotic.
|
|
|
|
Post by optimusprimesg on May 23, 2010 10:40:25 GMT -5
Your missing the point, most web exclusive are NOT limited it's like buying from Amazon and quite easy for Japanese residents to purchase. The point is your NOT the intended market for these figures, neither am I. Bandai doesn't care if a non-Japanese resident is angry and doesn't buy a web exclusive from them because you were never meant to buy one in the first place. The truth is we've had it pretty good in that we can get most items we want but the fact is we're all just outsiders looking in on a Japanese industry. The fact that the Toynami deal to distribute SOC's and the like has basically been a complete disaster proves to Bandai even more that their main focus and priority is the Japanese consumer. Also here's a little lesson for you, ALL SOC's, Spec, Fewture, Aoshima whatever is LIMITED to the Japanese market. The fact we can buy most of it through secondary markets/stores like HLJ or BBTS is a nice convenience but it was really never intended for buyers outside of Japan. You just have to accept the fact that if your in a hobby that is based on a foreign cultures hobby and IMPORT items there are gonna be times when the fact that your a outsider will make getting certain items just harder. Chen, you summed up exactly what I had in mind to say. Bandai does not care that foreigners like us do not have easy access to these exclusives. they are meant for their domestic consumers in the first place. And why Bandai is on the roll for web exclusives is very simple. They earn 100% off the listed price. This is unlike their normal releases where by they give xx% discount off the listed price to distributors. Bandai is actually earning more through selling web exclusives. The Japanese are not complaining much since they are paying just a bank fee and delivery fee on top of the listed price, which is like around USD10 tops. For us outside Japan, yes we feel the pain having to pay double or more of the listed price but this is how it works for now. if you have a friend or contact in Japan to do all the ordering for you, you'll probably save a good 30-40% compared to getting from secondary sources. At the day's end, we just have to pay more for the toys we like. Complaining won't make it any cheaper.  |
|
|
|
Post by moleman on May 23, 2010 12:53:32 GMT -5
First of all, your missing my point entirely. I understand these items are limited.Are we the intended audience? No. I know that. My two cents are very simple. We don't want to pay more and jump through hoops. I understand Bandai could probably care less about the international market. In addition, I understand why Bandai keeps rolling out exclusives (it makes money), its readily available to its intended audience. More power to Bandai and the Japanese fans. I'm just saying we (international fans) don't want to pay more, and if Bandai could offer a smaller quota of merchandise over its international sites or better yet have their Japanese site open its doors internationally, it would be great and then the complaining will stop (maybe ). If the increase is $10 to maybe $15, I can let it go and I understand some exclusives are like that, but when the price jumps up $50 to $80 etc, then theres just something wrong here. Honestly, is it wrong for me to be displeased to have to pay nearly double for a similar figure? If you have a proxy service that has Tekkaman Evil for like $100 USD shipped let me know, until then I'm still not convinced that the justifications for paying more for the same is acceptable.
|
|
|
|
Post by TheMazingerZ on May 23, 2010 13:06:38 GMT -5
Yeah, it sucks to pay so much in secondary markets or proxy services. However, this is very common in the collectors' world. To put it in perspective... do you know how much a pair of Levis' Jeans sell for in Japan? Well over $100! But us in the united states can get them for about $30. Same jeans, way different price.
Bottom line, if you want something that bad, you'll pay whatever the seller asks for. Sad but true...
}D
|
|
|
|
Post by moleman on May 23, 2010 13:37:06 GMT -5
Thanks, themazingerz. I couldn't agree more. It is truly sad that if you want something badly your going to be at the whims of the seller. This is also probably why I'm going to quit buying chogokins and other Japanese collectibles. Prices are just getting ridiculous. I was more than happy to invest in the Armor Plus line since it was under the $100 mark and has everything a collector could want (metal, good articulation, nice size, lots of accessories huge nostalgia value for me), but if its going to be all web exclusives for now on this looks to be my stopping point. I might stick with model kits as their prices seem rather steady and are available where I live in the US.
|
|
|
|
Post by mechamasterj on May 23, 2010 20:11:31 GMT -5
Well its obvious that bandai makes a lot of money on exclusives, but really even the japanese have a short time frame to get these items, so they are in limited. See, Bandai only makes as many figures that are ordered during thier preorder period. So if you miss the cut off date, you have to wait for scalpers and auctioners to sell theirs off (which is why you see mark ups even on YJA right after the figure is released). Its hard to say if bandai would make more money if they allowed wider distribution........ as they make 100% of the profit and they enusre that ever figure made is sold..... where as they would be able to reach a wider demographic but loose money in discounts and maybe even over prooduction and whatever other costs are involved with wide scale production. Seeing as how often bandai is doing this (with at least one to two exclusives per main line (though I dont notice many in the SOC vein) but they also have a mix for a reason too or they would go pridominantly web only (like Volks does) sooo....... so im curious as what that reason is.... but the fact is the limiteds have increased
|
|
|
|
Post by Dead-Man on May 28, 2010 9:55:48 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Cedar on May 30, 2010 23:32:18 GMT -5
I missed out on the original release so ordered this form instead. Even though not his primary form, I think it looks really nice!
Btw, does the original Armor Plus Tekkaman look top heavy in-hand?
|
|
|
|
Post by TheMazingerZ on May 31, 2010 12:36:29 GMT -5
I'm not much of a fan of this form. It looks too "loaded" with fins and pointy ends. I may get it (eventually), or not, depending on the reviews. Of course, there can be no Tekkaman Blastor without an "updated" version of Tekkaman Evil as well. So folks, get your wallets ready...
}D
|
|
|
|
Post by Dead-Man on May 31, 2010 20:27:22 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by xiombarg on May 31, 2010 21:54:47 GMT -5
The Blaster design is alright, but he's getting a little too medieval and not enough mecha for my taste. Still I would take him over most figures we see pass through the forum. I'm still on the fence of whether to get him just to complete the collection.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dead-Man on Jun 25, 2010 12:17:56 GMT -5
Armor Plus Tekkaman Blaster Blade From NgeeKhiong September Release  |
|
|
|
Post by magengar on Jun 25, 2010 16:35:38 GMT -5
LOL! I just LOVE this analogy! And I'm tempted to tat "Love This Life" in kanji on my body later on! ;D Ok, back on topic. zozo-Magengar ...It's like how non-Asians put Kanji or Chinese calligraphy tattoo's on their bodies just looks cool and exotic. |
|
|
|
Post by chogokinsnake on Jun 26, 2010 13:20:38 GMT -5
I am just starting to watch through the TV series... half way at the moment.
Really enjoy it.
I wish Bandai didn't sell the tekkaman Evil in their web exclusive shop... Toywave has the per-order stopped, and paying more to get these webshop 'exclusive' to outside Japan is too much.
|
|
|
|
Post by TheMazingerZ on Jun 26, 2010 16:08:34 GMT -5
Yeah, the series is pretty cool. However, I never did get to appreciate the Tekkaman Blastor form too much. It is the Suped up Tekkaman Blade form used to kick a$$ in the final episodes... that is, until Tekkaman Evil gets a Suped up form as well and proceeds to woop Blastor's behind once again. So I wouldn't be surprised if Bandai also comes out with the upgraded Tekkaman Evil later on as well.
}D
|
|
|
|
Post by edge on Jun 29, 2010 0:57:21 GMT -5
Yeah im fairly choked that they arnt gonna give us over sea fans after releasing Tekkaman. I wonder if they will eventually bring him out here...
|
|
|
|
Post by Dead-Man on Jul 16, 2010 12:25:43 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Dead-Man on Jul 16, 2010 16:40:01 GMT -5
found these on youtube, nice review  |
|
|
|
Post by Dead-Man on Jul 29, 2010 22:10:21 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by chogokinsnake on Jul 29, 2010 23:06:55 GMT -5
really looks great.
|
|
