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Post by tetsuryu on Sept 10, 2013 12:01:26 GMT -5
How do I know which items on Mandarake aren't available for non-Japanese buyers?
I've been trying to place an order for something, it got cancelled due to being "out of stock", but then just reappeared on the website anyway as in-stock, so I tried with another one (same item, different listing), same thing. Now I'm trying with a third and I'm just gonna e-mail and ask what's going on.
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Post by timpopkid on Sept 13, 2013 10:27:56 GMT -5
Hi, I'm in Chicago for the week. Any places here worth checking out? Thanks!
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Post by mojacko on Oct 31, 2017 7:44:26 GMT -5
Anyone got experience with CS Toys? Are they legit? Thanks
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Post by 1hardcorechogokin on Jun 16, 2019 8:33:56 GMT -5
Does anyone have good or bad buying experience with nippon-yasan.com? Can someone please share their story?
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Post by krimpov on Jun 16, 2019 10:17:44 GMT -5
Does anyone have good or bad buying experience with nippon-yasan.com? Can someone please share their story? Not going to pre-order anything from them ever again. I just don't appreciate being asked to pay for a PO in full, including shipping, only to be slapped with an undercharge bill later because they underestimated the shipping cost and refusing to cancel the order if I don't want to / can't pay for it. I get it : sh*t happens. But when a store asks me to pay for a pre-order in full and screw up their estimates, I want them to at least offer me a way out without making me fight for it. If it's in stock, I guess they're OK as long as you don't have to deal with their customers service. Though some other customers would have different stories about that. You can find some by searching the board if they don't share them here themselves. |
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Post by 1hardcorechogokin on Jun 16, 2019 20:27:15 GMT -5
Does anyone have good or bad buying experience with nippon-yasan.com? Can someone please share their story? Not going to pre-order anything from them ever again. I just don't appreciate being asked to pay for a PO in full, including shipping, only to be slapped with an undercharge bill later because they underestimated the shipping cost and refusing to cancel the order if I don't want to / can't pay for it. I get it : sh*t happens. But when a store asks me to pay for a pre-order in full and screw up their estimates, I want them to at least offer me a way out without making me fight for it. If it's in stock, I guess they're OK as long as you don't have to deal with their customers service. Though some other customers would have different stories about that. You can find some by searching the board if they don't share them here themselves. Thanks man, this is enough reason to steer me away from them. |
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Post by xchr23dc on Jul 13, 2019 16:27:19 GMT -5
In NYC for the weekend any good places to visit? Lmk thank you guys !
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Post by Gaiking1 on Oct 3, 2023 21:13:48 GMT -5
Going to Japan later this month for 3 weeks. Can anyone recommend some shops to go hunting in? It appears Akihabara is a good spot but not sure where the good shops are for the super robot fan. Thanks in advance.
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Post by locidm on Oct 3, 2023 22:14:05 GMT -5
Go to Mandarake in Akiba and in Nakano Broadway. They offer a wide range of second hand items in great condition, from vintage to new releases. The one in Akiba is in a 6-7 story building. Mandarake shops in Nakano Broadway are spread across four floors. Make sure you get a shop guide map available from any of the shops. They offer tax free shopping, but you’ll need to bring your receipts to the designated tax refund shop front the same day. The Nayuta Mandarake in Ikebukuro is ok too but it’s kinda hard to find. Nakano is my favorite though.
Yodobashi Camera in Akiba is a good place to get new products at a decent price. They also offer tax free shipping. Just be aware of the annoying audio PA nonstop. Toy department is in 7th floor I think.
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Post by Gaiking1 on Oct 4, 2023 12:04:25 GMT -5
Go to Mandarake in Akiba and in Nakano Broadway. They offer a wide range of second hand items in great condition, from vintage to new releases. The one in Akiba is in a 6-7 story building. Mandarake shops in Nakano Broadway are spread across four floors. Make sure you get a shop guide map available from any of the shops. They offer tax free shopping, but you’ll need to bring your receipts to the designated tax refund shop front the same day. The Nayuta Mandarake in Ikebukuro is ok too but it’s kinda hard to find. Nakano is my favorite though. Yodobashi Camera in Akiba is a good place to get new products at a decent price. They also offer tax free shipping. Just be aware of the annoying audio PA nonstop. Toy department is in 7th floor I think. Great info. Tyvm! Can’t wait to explore and find some great deals  |
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Post by mpchi on Oct 4, 2023 13:51:39 GMT -5
Going to Japan later this month for 3 weeks. Can anyone recommend some shops to go hunting in? It appears Akihabara is a good spot but not sure where the good shops are for the super robot fan. Thanks in advance. I suggest just look up a couple toy hunting guides or videos on Youtube and will give you most of the main ones. I'll point out a few, but they may not be up to date since its been a few years since I was there, in case they moved or closed.  Radio Kaikan is pretty well known (one of the main building facing Akihabara subway exit with the big yellow & red sign). Multiple shops in multiple floors. Had a Kaiyodo and Volks company store in there back then, though not sure if they are still there now. But you will find a lot of toys and hobby stuff in there for sure.  Akihabara has a lot of shops spread out the streets. Kotobukiya store is in there too, which is a good stop even if you don't build their models. They sell a bunch of goodies aside model kits (even toys of other brands), and often have model kit exhibitions and shows upstairs with very cool dioramas and toy art to look at. See if they have a good one while you are there.  Yodobashi Camera is like their Best Buy, but on crack. Usually a huge multi floored building selling home electronics, but they always have 1 or more dedicated floor for the current toys, and often has discount. Good for pick ups of what just came out, whether it is higher end toys, or something for kids. They are everywhere in Tokyo so pick whichever one that is nearby or convenient.  But if you have very limited time for toy hunt, then Nakano Broadway is your main stop, pretty much it is a 4 floor indoor mall filled with shops and mostly owned by Mandarake. Probably the biggest Mandarake store front I know (literally half that mall). Almost each shop is themed different in there, some focus on kaijus, Ultraman, Rider, some vintage vinyl toys, some mechs, some gundams, some stickers, some comics and magazines or vintage robot picture books, some CDs and old vinyls, some 1/6....all very cool. Then you have the more mom & pop stores that are cramped with random toys where you may also find some unexpected stuff from childhood. Given, it is a well known location and anything super duper rare items would have been cleaned up by hardcore collectors, but for most of us that just want a good taste of Japanese toys old and new, this is the place. Akihabara also has a Mandarake like locidm mentioned, with its own 7 or 8 floor building. But it is actually quite small and very tight space, with a tiny elevator that can only fit a couple people LOL. Not as big as Nakano Broadway, but still worth going if you have time. Pretty much any Mandarake location is worth going, honestly.  If this is going to be your first experience in Japanese toy on their own turf, be prepared to be overwhelmed by the awesomeness. Aisles after aisles of stuff we crave, stores after stores of stuff to drool over.  |
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Post by Gaiking1 on Oct 4, 2023 16:42:54 GMT -5
Going to Japan later this month for 3 weeks. Can anyone recommend some shops to go hunting in? It appears Akihabara is a good spot but not sure where the good shops are for the super robot fan. Thanks in advance. I suggest just look up a couple toy hunting guides or videos on Youtube and will give you most of the main ones. I'll point out a few, but they may not be up to date since its been a few years since I was there, in case they moved or closed. Radio Kaikan is pretty well known (one of the main building facing Akihabara subway exit with the big yellow & red sign). Multiple shops in multiple floors. Had a Kaiyodo and Volks company store in there back then, though not sure if they are still there now. But you will find a lot of toys and hobby stuff in there for sure. Akihabara has a lot of shops spread out the streets. Kotobukiya store is in there too, which is a good stop even if you don't build their models. They sell a bunch of goodies aside model kits (even toys of other brands), and often have model kit exhibitions and shows upstairs with very cool dioramas and toy art to look at. See if they have a good one while you are there. Yodobashi Camera is like their Best Buy, but on crack. Usually a huge multi floored building selling home electronics, but they always have 1 or more dedicated floor for the current toys, and often has discount. Good for pick ups of what just came out, whether it is higher end toys, or something for kids. They are everywhere in Tokyo so pick whichever one that is nearby or convenient. But if you have very limited time for toy hunt, then Nakano Broadway is your main stop, pretty much it is a 4 floor indoor mall filled with shops and mostly owned by Mandarake. Probably the biggest Mandarake store front I know (literally half that mall). Almost each shop is themed different in there, some focus on kaijus, Ultraman, Rider, some vintage vinyl toys, some mechs, some gundams, some stickers, some comics and magazines or vintage robot picture books, some CDs and old vinyls, some 1/6....all very cool. Then you have the more mom & pop stores that are cramped with random toys where you may also find some unexpected stuff from childhood. Given, it is a well known location and anything super duper rare items would have been cleaned up by hardcore collectors, but for most of us that just want a good taste of Japanese toys old and new, this is the place. Akihabara also has a Mandarake like locidm mentioned, with its own 7 or 8 floor building. But it is actually quite small and very tight space, with a tiny elevator that can only fit a couple people LOL. Not as big as Nakano Broadway, but still worth going if you have time. Pretty much any Mandarake location is worth going, honestly. If this is going to be your first experience in Japanese toy on their own turf, be prepared to be overwhelmed by the awesomeness. Aisles after aisles of stuff we crave, stores after stores of stuff to drool over. Wow! This is gonna be such a fun trip. I’m starting to think I should just bring an empty suitcase for all the goodies I’ll be picking up. I appreciate the insight into the top spots to check out. You guys are awesome! |
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Post by mpchi on Oct 4, 2023 16:55:32 GMT -5
Wow! This is gonna be such a fun trip. I’m starting to think I should just bring an empty suitcase for all the goodies I’ll be picking up. I appreciate the insight into the top spots to check out. You guys are awesome! Yes, if you plan to buy quite a bit, bring an empty suitcase, where a smaller suitcase (clothing, stuff you bring for the trip) or your big backpack (something can keep with you on the plane without going to luggage, as well as for your shopping trips where anything smaller can go in it as you walk around the city streets, instead of carrying tons of shopping bags with your hands) can go within. You'll need all the space you can afford. And if you are picking up some loose toys or gashapons, be prepared to dump the packaging if necessary to make more room (like those UFO catcher prize figures, when their boxes are mostly empty cardboard fluff inside that is not likely something you would keep). |
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Post by locidm on Oct 4, 2023 17:23:04 GMT -5
Don't forget, once you're in Japan, you can buy some items on Amazon.jp and pick up at your nearby Lawson or FamilyMart or other convenience store the next day or so. I tried it and it worked for some items. However, some items would deliver to the convenience store but would not allow me to pick up, but I never had time to figure out why. Items not picked up would get returned and refunded automatically.
Don't forget to visit the Tamashii Nation flagship store near Akiba JR station. Pretty sweet to pick up TN exclusive items if ones you want happen to release while you're there.
Even if you're not a gundam fan, I highly recommend Gundam Factory in Yokohama.
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Post by mpchi on Oct 4, 2023 19:18:14 GMT -5
Don't forget, once you're in Japan, you can buy some items on Amazon.jp and pick up at your nearby Lawson or FamilyMart or other convenience store the next day or so. I tried it and it worked for some items. However, some items would deliver to the convenience store but would not allow me to pick up, but I never had time to figure out why. Items not picked up would get returned and refunded automatically. Don't forget to visit the Tamashii Nation flagship store near Akiba JR station. Pretty sweet to pick up TN exclusive items if ones you want happen to release while you're there. Even if you're not a gundam fan, I highly recommend Gundam Factory in Yokohama. Lawson, 7-Eleven, and similar convenient stores actually have great cooked snacks and quick lunches that taste good! At least try some in one of those days your schedule is packed or get back to your hotel late. They are everywhere, so likely have one or more near where you stay. |
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