Seibertron.com Energon Pub Forums

[nycPrime]

About importing, which is what I will be doing for cost purposes, it can be held for a while but it wont be seised.

I only said seized cuz that's what BBTS says on their site. I don't have any experience with this.

"Without this orange tip modification, US Customs may seize any incoming shipments for this item that they discover because it does not comply with US Laws, so we are providing a legal and risk-free solution to that problem."

I don't know if it means they'll hold it for a while, or keep/junk it.

For those in the US, is importing from a Japanese site still more cost effective given the shipping cost? Or is it more or less a wash when compared to BBTS/Toy Dojo, etc? I don't plan on adding a lot of items to spread out the cost of shipping.

[galvatron00]

A couple of questions:

1) With the US imitation gun law, there needs to be an orange plug at the end of the barrel. I checked a listing of an older Megatron figure from BBTS, and they mentioned they would have to open the package and insert the plug to legally import the figure. Anyone know if these after-market plugs are easily removable?

2) If you order from a Japanese site like HLJ, do they do the same thing, or are you taking a risk that it won't be seized by customs?

Answer to both, yes.

Even my Apollyon torso that just shipped to me had the orange plug in the barrel. Twisted right out.

Just to clarify, Yes the Japanese companies also insert the orange plug, or yes, you're taking a risk? If the latter, then BBTS is pretty much the only option as I'm not taking that chance...

Yes.

Seriously though, my MP5 came from BBTS and the orange plug was held in by rubber cement or something similar. It twisted out with a pair of channel locks. My first run Apollyon from last year had the barrel plugs glued in on both the pistol barrel and the extension barrel. The one on the robot twisted out with a pair of needlenose pliers. The one on the extension barrel took much more effort.

The Apollyon torso I just received had a barrel plug that pulled right out by hand with absolutely no resistance.

I agree with what WJ said, if he's being shipped in bot mode (as all of them have been so far) then you should be able to import it from Japan and there will be no issues. They do not seem to add the plug.

[galvatron00]

For those in the US, is importing from a Japanese site still more cost effective given the shipping cost? Or is it more or less a wash when compared to BBTS/Toy Dojo, etc? I don't plan on adding a lot of items to spread out the cost of shipping.

It really depends on when you order it and what the exchange rate is at the time. I'm sure pre-orders will be sold through. WJ is my expert on importing so I'll defer to him.

I personally order through the US based companies as if there is a problem it will most likely be resolved sooner and be less of a headache for me personally than some issues I've had in the past.

[nycPrime]

I personally order through the US based companies as if there is a problem it will most likely be resolved sooner and be less of a headache for me personally than some issues I've had in the past.

Same here. I had a couple of issues with UW Superion, and Toy Dojo was super easy to deal with. Unless there is a huge price difference, I'll probably go domestic as well. Thanks!

[william-james88]

For those in the US, is importing from a Japanese site still more cost effective given the shipping cost? Or is it more or less a wash when compared to BBTS/Toy Dojo, etc? I don't plan on adding a lot of items to spread out the cost of shipping.

Here is an actual example you can base yourself off:

MP Shockwave shipped from Japan costs this below:



That is $137.99 total compared to $159.99 (before shipping) at BBTS.


MP Cheetor shipped from Japan costs this below:



That is $59.99 total compared to $75.99 (before shipping) at BBTS. Thats 21% difference in price!

This adds up to a lot over time so if you plan on buying MPs consistently, it is without a doubt advantageous to import yourself. It all comes down to your comfort level. But thats not to say that importers also have customer service, I never had a problem with any of my purchases of imports from the japanese direct market. Even on the secondary market, an items arrived missing its missiles and I will be getting the missiles shipped on my next order.

As for a huge price difference would over 20% be considered huge?

[SureShot18]

So first of all I don't collect Masterpiece figures but I can say that this was a long time coming. But I have to say Despotron looks better than this Megatron. I'm sure this will be a phenomenal figure (I do quite like the optional damage parts) but the aesthetics of Despotron work for me better.

[nycPrime]

This adds up to a lot over time so if you plan on buying MPs consistently, it is without a doubt advantageous to import yourself. It all comes down to your comfort level. But thats not to say that importers also have customer service, I never had a problem with any of my purchases of imports from the japanese direct market. Even on the secondary market, an items arrived missing its missiles and I will be getting the missiles shipped on my next order.

As for a huge price difference would over 20% be considered huge?

WJ - what's your go to Japanese store?

[Bumblebee21]

This adds up to a lot over time so if you plan on buying MPs consistently, it is without a doubt advantageous to import yourself. It all comes down to your comfort level. But thats not to say that importers also have customer service, I never had a problem with any of my purchases of imports from the japanese direct market. Even on the secondary market, an items arrived missing its missiles and I will be getting the missiles shipped on my next order.

As for a huge price difference would over 20% be considered huge?

WJ - what's your go to Japanese store?

ill second this question

[william-james88]

This adds up to a lot over time so if you plan on buying MPs consistently, it is without a doubt advantageous to import yourself. It all comes down to your comfort level. But thats not to say that importers also have customer service, I never had a problem with any of my purchases of imports from the japanese direct market. Even on the secondary market, an items arrived missing its missiles and I will be getting the missiles shipped on my next order.

As for a huge price difference would over 20% be considered huge?

WJ - what's your go to Japanese store?

Anime Export and Nippon Yassan. Be aware, our situations are different. I buy from Anime Export because they help me with customs, you dont need to worry about that for the US, so you can also buy from Ami ami and HLJ. But the two I mentioned are still the cheapest options and the reason why is because you pay for the figures up front. I am ok with that because its easier to budget and I dont end up in a bad situation where the figure is about to be released and I dont have the cash and I cant cancel in time and I miss out. Plus, paying up front hedges currency factors, so if the yen goes up after you preorder something, you are safe.

Its up to you and what you want to do, but for me I really cant afford to pay more than the bare minimum for these so Anime Export and Nippon Yassan (when I miss the preorder window at Anime Export) have been my go to stores. If you are curious, the cheapest price by far is with Nippon Yassan. Go to their site and look at how cheap their Unite Warriors are compared to elsehwere. If you are ok paying up front, that is the store I would recomend for you. Thats where I got my MP Cheetor (its their bill you see above).

[-Kanrabat-]

ANOTHER ONE?

I mean, how many more "MP Megatrons" these 3p companies will make?

I mean, this is getting pretty ridicu...



Wait... It's... the OFFICIAL one?

...



IT'S REAL!

[galvatron00]

*snip of hilariousness*

[fenrir72]

So first of all I don't collect Masterpiece figures but I can say that this was a long time coming. But I have to say Despotron looks better than this Megatron. I'm sure this will be a phenomenal figure (I do quite like the optional damage parts) but the aesthetics of Despotron work for me better.

Too early to tell. Once we get a higher res image and put it hand and hand to Despotron, then we can judge with finality.

[william-james88]

So first of all I don't collect Masterpiece figures but I can say that this was a long time coming. But I have to say Despotron looks better than this Megatron. I'm sure this will be a phenomenal figure (I do quite like the optional damage parts) but the aesthetics of Despotron work for me better.

Too early to tell. Once we get a higher res image and put it hand and hand to Despotron, then we can judge with finality.

The only thing we can guarantee now is taht regardless of which one is best, the official release will be more coveted and more likely to increase in value. I mean look at MP 05, that thing is worse than all those 3p toys and still goes for the same amount on the secondary market, simply due to its officiality.

[galvatron00]

I mean look at MP 05, that thing is worse than all those 3p toys and still goes for the same amount on the secondary market, simply due to its officiality.

TRUTH.

Stupid MP5..at least Apollyon had parts to use for fixing!!

[DeathReviews]

Guess I'd better start saving some of your mortal monies for this version. There's no WAY they'd sell it in the continental US. They still haven't brought in MP Shockwave, and he doesn't even look like a real gun.....

[nycPrime]

Guess I'd better start saving some of your mortal monies for this version. There's no WAY they'd sell it in the continental US. They still haven't brought in MP Shockwave, and he doesn't even look like a real gun.....

Speaking of Shockwave, now I'm debating getting it. I passed as I don't have much attachment to the character. But Megatron is a must for me. And the photo/play options of both Megs and SW together in gun mode is almost irresistible.

[joeprime276]

This I so perfect and long awaited! I love the "cartoony" aesthetic he has. But of course I just bought a 3P Megatron (dx9 Mightron to be specific). But just because its official I'll definitely be preordering this ASAP

[william-james88]

Guess I'd better start saving some of your mortal monies for this version. There's no WAY they'd sell it in the continental US. They still haven't brought in MP Shockwave, and he doesn't even look like a real gun.....

They never even released the first MP Megatron either.

[joeprime276]

Do we have any kind of general release time? Like what quarter of next year he will come out in?
Also, do we know any other MP figures coming next year? The furthest ahead I know of is Inferno and Grapple.

[william-james88]

Do we have any kind of general release time? Like what quarter of next year he will come out in?
Also, do we know any other MP figures coming next year? The furthest ahead I know of is Inferno and Grapple.

No idea without the preorder. But so far we have Cheetor in january, Grapple in February and he is next in line. I would estimate anytime between March and June (second quarter). We dont know who is coming after him.

[Omegatrion84]

Do we have any kind of general release time? Like what quarter of next year he will come out in?
Also, do we know any other MP figures coming next year? The furthest ahead I know of is Inferno and Grapple.

No idea without the preorder. But so far we have Cheetor in january, Grapple in February and he is next in line. I would estimate anytime between March and June (second quarter). We dont know who is coming after him.

Don't forget Dirge is coming out sometime next year as well.

[Microraptor]

The gun mode is properly scaled too!

[william-james88]

Do we have any kind of general release time? Like what quarter of next year he will come out in?
Also, do we know any other MP figures coming next year? The furthest ahead I know of is Inferno and Grapple.

No idea without the preorder. But so far we have Cheetor in january, Grapple in February and he is next in line. I would estimate anytime between March and June (second quarter). We dont know who is coming after him.

Don't forget Dirge is coming out sometime next year as well.

I did forget, but thats because his damn MP number is still among the MP 11 ones so yeah, he would probably be between Grappel and Megatron. Unless of course takara doesnt release him and he only available in the Asia market, then he wouldnt count as part of takara's schedule.

[Quantum Surge]

My MP Decepticon treatment faith has been restored. First, Shockwave gets an unexpected figure, and now Megs gets a new mold! Not sure how it will stack up compared to the likes of Apollyon or Despotron, but he is certainly better than MP-05!

[Emerje]

I would have waited an eternity for this. It's over, Prime!

Not crazy about the number of panel lines, but what can you do? He's otherwise exactly what I wanted. Now I really want a new MP-10 in cartoon colors. Seems like a given considering the other cartoon MPs we've been getting.

I hope they reissue Soundwave (NOT the Transformers Asia release because I already own the tapes), I still need one...

A couple of questions:

1) With the US imitation gun law, there needs to be an orange plug at the end of the barrel. I checked a listing of an older Megatron figure from BBTS, and they mentioned they would have to open the package and insert the plug to legally import the figure. Anyone know if these after-market plugs are easily removable?

2) If you order from a Japanese site like HLJ, do they do the same thing, or are you taking a risk that it won't be seized by customs?

I agree with what WJ said, if he's being shipped in bot mode (as all of them have been so far) then you should be able to import it from Japan and there will be no issues. They do not seem to add the plug.

I got both MP Megatron and Encore Megatron from HLJ and both had orange plugs. The MP plug was just a rubber stopper that pulled right out, but the Encore plug was hard plastic and glued in, had to crack that one out. BTW, the MP was in bot mode while the Encore was in gun mode and neither had any trouble being imported.

Emerje