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Buying Transformers in the UK

PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:18 am
by DixNeuf
Hi there,

I'm a lapsed Transformers collector looking to get back into the game, but I'm struggling to find anywhere other than high-street stores that sells TF's. Could anyone point me in the direction of any reputable UK-based online stores that sell 'older' TF's (I'm interested in all eras except movie toys). Failing that, are there any importers that UK-based members would recommend?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Rich

Re: Buying Transformers in the UK

PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 12:19 pm
by Electron
DixNeuf wrote:Hi there,

I'm a lapsed Transformers collector looking to get back into the game, but I'm struggling to find anywhere other than high-street stores that sells TF's. Could anyone point me in the direction of any reputable UK-based online stores that sell 'older' TF's (I'm interested in all eras except movie toys). Failing that, are there any importers that UK-based members would recommend?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Rich


http://www.kapow-toys.com/

BANG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this place is awesome, highly recommend using it, great service

Re: Buying Transformers in the UK

PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:42 pm
by DixNeuf
Hi, thanks for the link, they don't have everything I'm after, but it's a great start!

Thanks again,

Rich

Re: Buying Transformers in the UK

PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 2:07 pm
by same138
I too have used Kapow (once) and they were great, thoroughly recommended. I'd spend more with them if I had the cash.

http://www.epicheroes.com/

is UK based but pricy, I've never used them.

http://webspace.webring.com/people/bm/mangohero1978/

has G1/G2 bits for sale loose. He grades all the pieces and the couple I bought from him a while back (G1 OP, Powermaster OP) were in the condition he stated and while I'm not a big G1 toy fan I was rather pleased with both.

Re: Buying Transformers in the UK

PostPosted: Mon Dec 14, 2009 8:38 pm
by Diem
I'd like to get in on this. Does anyone know any good non-online stores in the UK for getting TFs that might not be available in regular stores? In the London area perhaps?

Re: Buying Transformers in the UK

PostPosted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 6:52 am
by Mykltron
I've used ebay a lot and one of the sellers put me on his mailing list and I've used him a few times for Japanese releases like Alternity and MP. Send him an email, his address is: 5s651068@net-yan.com and he deals through paypal so you're protected. I've found his prices are better than online shops.

Also: http://www.xybertoys.com/catalog/default.php are uk based but the goods are drop-shipped from Japan. I've used them only once I think but they provided a good service.


Diem wrote:I'd like to get in on this. Does anyone know any good non-online stores in the UK for getting TFs that might not be available in regular stores? In the London area perhaps?


No, sorry. But I'm not in a big city. Sometimes a store here sells figures that left the shops a few years ago bt nothing unusual.

Re: Buying Transformers in the UK

PostPosted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:05 am
by Neurie
Orbital comics used to have a really good range of japanese imports but they have cut back alot recently

Forbidden planet get some in but they have scalper prices( some of the prices they charge prices scalpers would be ashamed of)

www.3darthscomics.co.uk/ are a good company based in surrey who go to all the major conventions and youll get a good deal off of them at a show(got my EZ devistator with Music label prime for £90.00).

They normally haveall the major imports and some exclusives.

HLJ ( Hobby Links Japan) are a good importer to use if dont mind costums charges occasionall as obviously they are based in japan.

As mentioned before Kapow Toys are fantastic.

Toys n Gamez and Epic Heroes sued to be very competitive but now theyre prices are are a tad too high for my tastes, for some of their stuff it is cheaper to import yourself and pay customs charges.

On the subject of customs charges it seems to be completely random, Ive been charged customs on very small packages yet when I receieved a parcel full of about £700.00 of beastw ars 2 and neo items got charged nothing! Sometiems its worth a punt especially on items les than 18.00 which they cannot charge you customs charges on.

Hope this helps.

If all else fails tryto hunt down Paul Hitchins or Maz, 2 decent guys who deal transformers privately in the london area. Not as competitve as they once were again but if your looking for some thats hard to find anddont mind paying a premium they are your boys to see.

And if all else fails try ebay

Re: Buying Transformers in the UK

PostPosted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:07 am
by Neurie
Oh and if your using the online forbidden planet website rememebr there are 2 FP's for the UK FP londona dn FP scotland, the scottish FP undercut the London one by anything up to 50 % on most items and dont scalp on postage so Id always use the thier scottish brothers.

Also talk to your local comic book hops, some of them will import and occasionally can get you some items.

Re: Buying Transformers in the UK

PostPosted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:09 am
by Diem
Thanks for the advice guys! I'm not TOO concerned about which shops do imports though :wink:

Re: Buying Transformers in the UK

PostPosted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:26 am
by Neurie
check out orbital then they still have some Gen 1, Gen 2 beast wars/2/neo machine wars, robot masters and even a my sirst transformer stuff boxed.

Re: Buying Transformers in the UK

PostPosted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 6:28 pm
by craggy
hmm, tried Epic Heroes by default, they were the only place had what I wanted.
Kapow looks better in general though, they might get some of my business in future.

A little bit worried that I placed my order with epicheroes.com over 24hours ago and it's still pending. :(

Re: Buying Transformers in the UK

PostPosted: Wed Jan 20, 2010 7:08 pm
by GetterDragun
Please us this thread for this discussion:
viewtopic.php?f=57&t=42