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Post by junkyard on Mar 27, 2005 15:07:27 GMT -5
Are the Bandai SOC figures available readily via Previews?
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Post by JoshB on Mar 28, 2005 9:16:44 GMT -5
Yep.
Garada, doublas, mazinger angels and evas have all shipped i think. I think you can also backorder them too...
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Post by Ben-Ohki on Mar 28, 2005 9:43:54 GMT -5
One wonders how Previews will decide whether or not to continue carrying future SoC. Is it the sales that will determine that? It's hard to realize that as a community, us import collectors make up a fairly small portion of the comicbook community that Diamond is catering to.
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Post by Chen on Mar 28, 2005 11:02:24 GMT -5
I don't think Diamond needs massive sales to keep solicating SOC's. They also solicate pretty limited stuff like swords and prints that have runs of about 500 or so. Also Bandai is the one paying/letting Diamond to list their stuff so it's mostly up to Bandai if they still want to use the Priviews magazine (no real choice since Diamond is the ONLY major distributor out there in North America). I'm sure it will continue since it just means more profit for Bandai and more orders through Diamond.
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Post by mazfan on Mar 28, 2005 13:12:46 GMT -5
I am not familiar at all with Diamond, who are they? And how did they get rights to distribut SOC's? I know they handle the Maz Angels, right?
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Post by Ben-Ohki on Mar 28, 2005 15:59:45 GMT -5
Well, in general Diamond Comics Distribution is pretty much the only choice when it comes to reaching the direct-market for comics and related goodies (i.e.: a local comics specialty shop). DCD is the company that distributes Marvel, DC, and Image, for instance. Therefore they also know exactly where you can find comics if you don't know where to look... More recently DCD listed a few of the SoCs in their catalog for the first time (this was back in October for a March release). But of course, if you were a die-cast junkie, you'd probably have already pre-ordered directly from HK or Japan anyway... DCD's catalog is a retailer catalog so you don't get the stuff directly: you need to fill in the order form and bring it to your local retailer for them to get it for you... prices might be negotiable because of that...
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Post by Kidchuckle on Mar 28, 2005 20:59:33 GMT -5
I went to the diamond site.. was hoping to compare prices.. but theres nothing listed. Damn I hope they're at a decent price... but I have a feeling they'll be slow with the releases.
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Post by junkyard on Mar 31, 2005 19:53:48 GMT -5
Okay, here's what I found out at a local store... The Max Factory Mazinkaiser is in the current "Previews" magazine (this is basically a coming release ordering book mainly for the comic book industry), as mentioned elsewhere the item is going for $125. What you need to order it, and I don't have the number to hand myself, is the item code from the catalogue as can be seen on these two pages of Diamond's website: toychest.diamondcomics.com/toys/11_04/17_nge.htmtoychest.diamondcomics.com/toys/11_04/17_kaneda_motorcycle.htmAnd yeah, you could probably even back order items that are still available, but you would need the item codes which are not easy to come by. I haven't yet found them on Diamond's site. If someone were to post the item codes for some of the older SOC figures we could test the order process. I'm little surprised there wasn't a solicitation for Gaiking in the current catalogue. So this method of obtaining the SOC toys is a little sketchy - Bandai doesn't seem to push it and Diamond seems to barely care about it. But if the item gets listed and you order it, it seems like you should be able to get your item. What's a little odd about the Mazinkaiser is that it's supposed to be U.S. only, so I wonder if it will turn out to be even less expensive through other sources. I don't know about the other toys, but I have seen the Akira motorcycle toy for less elsewhere.
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Post by Ben-Ohki on Mar 31, 2005 22:12:56 GMT -5
You may have a tough time tracking down older SoC through Diamond. DCD only started distributing this line with the ones Josh mentioned above. And to be honest I'm actually a little surprised you even found a listing for the Evangelions... If you do decide to try this - please do let me know. Personally, although i do know how it works, I've never actually placed an order through a Previews catalogue myself. I did order a couple of DVDs though but that's nothing special since they were domestic releases to begin with...
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Post by Jryu on Apr 1, 2005 1:37:13 GMT -5
I actually ordered my CM's GGG from Diamond via our local comic store because the dude there gives a 10% discount on whatever Diamond's cost is. It was pretty easy and reliable.
This is how the owner told me it works:
1. You buy/borrow Diamond Previews and find the item number that you want to purchase.
2. You then tell the comic store which items you want, it doesn't have to be on any type of official form.
3. He'll then order it on your behalf, with or without a downpayment depending on the comics store. I didn't need a down payment.
4. Diamond then gets the order and orders to fulfill each order exactly, meaning that you will definitely get your stuff. They don't ship extras to any stores at all unless they specifically order it. That way, they don't have tons of overstock sitting in their warehouses.
5. You wait awhile and your shop will then call you when it's in.
I got CM's GGG for $125 if I recall right. Yeah, it's a bit more than you'd see retail overseas but I figure that it works out to be right if you were to include shipping as well. I also bought Garada K7 and Dianan MA while I was in Vancouver at a comic shop that had gotten them via previews as well. The prices were damn good (thanks North of 49) for the tip.
The only drawback that I can see is if you want the items FAST. I didn't get my CM's GGG until late January even though I think it came out before Christmas. I think Diamond must use surface shipping to save on costs so if you do order, expect it to be there 1-2 months after it is released. Otherwise, I think it's a great route to go if you're looking to order stuff via Previews. I plan to order the Mazinkaiser this week from them in fact.
Hope that helps,
j*ryu
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