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Post by locidm on Oct 14, 2011 16:32:23 GMT -5
I look for the following from any vendors:
1. nice job packing the merchandise to avoid damage during shipment
2. should any problems occur, prompt response to emails and offer replacement
BBTS does a good job on both areas. Haven't had problems with stuff I bought from TFSource yet so I don't know, but they generally respond promptly. Both BBTS and TFSource do a great job packing. I wonder if robotkingdom offers similar service?
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Post by edge on Oct 14, 2011 18:04:38 GMT -5
I've shopped from all three and I have to say BBTS has probably the best shipping.. AMIAMI is also really good. I dont think Robot Kingdom is as good as them though. I got Exgraver and Thundershred from RK and the packing was ok.. nothing was damaging but i've seen better care from other people. I've yet to have any problem with any of these companys so im not sure how quick they are to respond to problems of sorts. Im going to be ordering the last "not insecticon" and heavy labor from RK for probably 30 or more less then anyone else so thats enough for me  I guess one other thing I found odd from RK was I never got any confermation emails once i placed an order :/ I placed an order and it took me to a comfermation page but I had nothing in my inbox until I got a shipping notification. |
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Post by supergetterv on Oct 14, 2011 18:23:32 GMT -5
Robotkingdom ships from HK, so shipping is kinda high, but the lower price makes up for it. Only thing is that you pay with paypal and it is a upfront payment for preorders, a practice I don't agree with. BBTS preorders, no upfront payment and I can cancel at anytime. I got Exgraver from robotkingdom and it was like 93 or 96$ or something with shipping. In comparison, it wasn't much of a difference from BBTS if you already have an item paid for with their pile of loot option. That is why I am ordering it at BBTS this time around.
Best packaging has to be TFSource. If you pay the additional money for mint items, they will wrap the item in clear wrap, seal it with their logo sticker and create a custom white, hard cardboard box for that item. That said, TFSource is somewhat shady and dishonest with their buisness practices. I've had some bad dealings with them.
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Post by edge on Oct 14, 2011 18:56:50 GMT -5
Thats strange... i save quite a bit at RK. If Exgraver is 97.99 at BTS and only 77.90 at RK EMS shipping from RK and Express shipping from BTS is around the same :/ so Im saving the difference 20 bucks at RK and still getting it shipped to my door in less than a week. I live in Canada o I dont really wanna do some cheap untrackable shipping method. I did that from BTS and I ordered something and paid like 10 bucks shipping and it took almost a month to get to my house from the states. I dont mind ordering from RK, your gonna spend the money anyway right? so it doesnt really matter. Plus if you place an order for 2 things and ones instock and ones not you dont pay much additional shipping. I'll order one item its about 29 bucks EMS shipping and if i add on another item shipping is 10 bucks more. So in the end im saving money shopping at RK. Considering these guys are gonna cost over 600 bucks total im gonna shop where its cheaper and save myself some monay's!
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Post by supergetterv on Oct 14, 2011 19:20:01 GMT -5
I didn't get EMS shipping the last time around and it was still roughly like 96$ or so. BBTS is 98$, but am only paying around .50 cents to 1$ additional for shipping. Last time, I already paid the $10 shipping on the 00 Raiser add on set. Again, you have to have something in your pile of loot for this to work. The 10$ was already paid for with previous items, what I have saved up are them Causality figures. Regardless, the 2 Causality figures, along with HeavyLabor would have cost me a bit more if I were to buy it at RK. The 2 Causality figure along with Heavylabor and a Marvel Bishoujo figure and they only charge me around 10$ UPS shipping. The Quote that I got without (air parcel) EMS shipping at RK was $208.55, shipping quote was 36$ for air parcel, would be much more if I choose EMS. The same 3 items total with shipping from BBTS is roughly $204. But I don't live in Canada, so the rates are different. And UPS ground for me here in the US only takes 5 days to receive.
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Post by locidm on Oct 15, 2011 1:25:00 GMT -5
I keep reading about credit card related issue with TFsource and now Supergetterv you had bad dealing with them? My limited experience with them has been very good so far with prompt customer service. What issue did you have with them? In any case, I think sticking with BBTS can't go wrong. |
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Post by supergetterv on Oct 15, 2011 2:38:22 GMT -5
Bad dealing with TFSources, 2 out of 3 items I got from them were obviously used and they sold it to me as new. First item was a Warbot (Springer) defender. They have MINT box or C-9 condition, you have to check one or the other in order to add the item to cart. Didn't care for Mint because I was going to open it up anyway. So when I got it, it was a open box item, perhaps a return item or a display piece or something. Warbot comes with a clear other box, and when I got mines, the inner box was inserted into the clear box on the wrong side. Also, the little sticker to the bottom was kinda peeled a bit. Some pages of the instruction booklet were also stuck together. I reported the problem but they wasn't going to take it back because there was nothing broken with the figure and that there wasn't anyway for me to prove to them that the item was previously an open item. The plastic trays were re-taped.
Second item I got from them that were used was the Perfect effect Rumble and Frenzy.If I remember correctly, Perfect effect doesn't tape their outer boxes, mines were taped, and the inner trays were re-taped. Again item weren't broken, so no exchange can be done.
Last problem item was the Crownation set for Classics Starscream from megavolt toys. They sent me a set that was missing a shoulder null ray missile gun and wouldn't do an exchange because they said that it was open and that I have to contact Megavolt toy for replacement parts. So after that item, I stop all order with them. I am hoping that they don't get any more exclusive item, because I hate having to buy from them.
Also, a buddy of mines also had an order that was shipped to the wrong city. And clearly, he had the address correctly when he set up the account.
In short, when possible, take the mint box option and pay the extra 2$ to them if you want to order from them.
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Post by Ben-Ohki on Oct 15, 2011 8:43:37 GMT -5
Wow... that's unprofessional, IIRC. I personally didn't have any problems with TFSource but perhaps just lucky that way. So I guess according to TF-Source the definition of C9 also includes open-box items (which is completely unacceptable in my opinion. C9 should include only a bit of shelf wear. IMHO, the equivalent of "near mint" - just a bit of box creasing or minor scratching on the gloss because it's been out of the factory-shipping carton. I'd hate to see what TF Source considers C8...  I didn't have problems with Robot Kingdom. But you'll get a C8 or C9 - this can't be helped when you ship all the way from Hong Kong to Canada. They do an okay job but they use scraps of styrofoam in the box for padding, which I don't like. Styrofoam chunks are not compressible so if the box gets a little crushed, then your contents will also be a little squished too. I also dislike that they charge your pre-order up front. In the case of Heavy Labor, that means I already paid almost 2 months before I will get it. This is a Hong Kong thing, it seems, because Toy-Wave does it too when you pre-order. Thankfully so far I find both Robot Kingdom and Toy-Wave to be trustworthy businesses so I'm sure I could have cancelled and gotten refunds (but I've never asked). |
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Post by edge on Oct 15, 2011 13:12:28 GMT -5
The only problem I find with TFSource is how slow it takes them to actually ship my order once its paid for. They take their sweet ass time shipping your stuff out. Most places its next day after payment is confirmed but these guys have shipped my stuff out days and days later after my payments gone through. I try not to order from TF anymore simply because im impatient and want my stuff yesterday.
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Post by locidm on Oct 16, 2011 2:19:54 GMT -5
I just received a large order from TFsource Friday and everything came in really nice shape. I ordered C9 for all items and all items appeared to be case fresh. They also shipped my order the next business day after I paid. Maybe I'm lucky but I'll continue to do business with them until they prove me wrong. There are just items that BBTS don't carry or do so at a slightly higher price.
Anyways, back on TFC Hercules. So the shipment date is 10/25. Is that the shipment date from the manufacturer to the vendors (BBTS, TFS, etc.), or approx. shipment date from the vendors to us collectors? If the later, we would be looking at early/mid November ship date.
I'm just wondering whether I should click that "Ship my pile of loot" button on BBTS......
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Post by edge on Oct 16, 2011 3:10:35 GMT -5
On TFC they said the Manu is shipping them out on the 25th.
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Post by Ben-Ohki on Oct 18, 2011 7:34:15 GMT -5
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Post by Lejam on Oct 24, 2011 3:31:29 GMT -5
Heavy Labor spotted on Youku channel : v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzE1NTgyNzk2.html-> feet are very tiny and flat, it got a cloak... What bothers me a bit with TFC figures, some forms are not all filled, like these arms panels which are flipping 180 degres on shoulders... (this is a pretty cool arm transformation) Maybe it's a design choice, but imho, it look like a way to save money on plastic injection. Waist joint is cool, but you have to open waist pannel (truck bumper) to turn torso. Hips joint "sounds" improved with better ratchet system joint (at 16:40 on video). BTW, the figure looks great. My choice if I was TFC staff, I will first release each month all mechas which are the arms and legs, then, Heavy Labor and DR Crank at the end, just to keep some surprise till end... ... and be a little bit sadistic ! |
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Post by locidm on Oct 24, 2011 13:35:34 GMT -5
awesome review. I can't wait to get this.
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Post by Ben-Ohki on Oct 24, 2011 20:09:42 GMT -5
I'm being picky, I know, but I just don't like the driver's cab... It's size indicates that the scale is very small - that Heavy Labour is one of those monster-sized trucks like we saw in Revenge of the Fallen. Which is fine, but Exgraver's cab indicates otherwise - that he's the size of a normal excavator you see around a city construction site. I know, I know, it's a very minor gripe. But the video review was great and I can't wait for mine to arrive! It pains me to know that it'll take like another week before Robot Kingdom gets their stuff from TFC's factories, and then another 3 weeks or so to get to Canada from Hong Kong... |
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Post by Lejam on Oct 25, 2011 8:12:46 GMT -5
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Post by edge on Oct 25, 2011 22:37:19 GMT -5
look good! just placed my order for him and Backfiery at RK |
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Post by Lejam on Oct 26, 2011 16:10:19 GMT -5
OUCH !  |
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Post by supergetterv on Oct 26, 2011 18:12:45 GMT -5
Why ouch? Just sucks in that we should of gotten @ least 3 out of the 4 they planned on releasing by now.
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Post by Lejam on Oct 27, 2011 2:27:54 GMT -5
Patience is a virtue.
TFC changed schedule to add some improvement to Heavy Labor and other constructicons.
Remember, it's a 3rd Party toys company, not Hasbro...
ANd you will have a free new shovel for your exgraver.... ^__^
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