I used EMS on the one time I've ordered form them, I think it was actually cheaper than SAL, at least going by this. Just bear in mind there's also a $5 currency changing fee if you're using PayPal.

Pardon my incredulity, but how? The shipping isn't displayed when you check out. If you were just ordering a ¥2000-ish figure then there would have been a ¥500 fee on top of that. But that's still well short of ~$50US.

As for shipping rates, a single figure (to the U.S. at least) with DHL usually runs right about the same as SAL shipping, at least in my experience. It goes up exponentially after that, though. I usually stick to SAL if I'm ordering two or more figures or books, since book weight will kill with DHL.

There is a conversion fee for using PayPal? Does that only apply to the dollar?

As far as I know, they charge a fee converting any currency to another.

My 1st post here.

I live in Maryland and order often from Mandarake. I use SAL for everything when possible. On average its the cost of the figure(s) + 500 JPY + shipping (+/- 1500JPY)

here is an recent purchase I made:

Sub total: 1,500 yen
Shipping Fee: 1,180 yen
Handling Fee: 500 yen
Grand Total: 3,180 yen

Also to those who don't know and have yet to Order .. Mandarake site covers several stores. I find it best to find the one item i want most and add to it from within the one store location ex: Umeda store

I have used DHL but it doesnt work out for me only b/c its costs a bit more and they dont deliver to PO Boxes.

The last time I used EMS was for SIC Agito and Tornador (sp) it was costly but given the size of the package it was justified.


Regards,

kollekxon


Edit;

checked my PayPal and I don't see any $5.00 fee for conversion
could this Fee be from a Credit card company?

Uh... no there isn't. PayPal has a lower conversion rate than the current one (usually it's something like 2-3Y less per dollar, so if it was 103, it'd be like 101 or 100), but there is never an added fee. I pay AmiAmi every month, and it's always just straight up whatever their rate is, is what I get charged. No fees.

Thanks. I appreciate the info, but I understand how Mandarake works. I was questioning how the other poster was getting a $50 rate, including shipping, for a $20 figure at checkout.

The other, was just my opinion on how it's worked for me in the past.

That's not the way my purchases go. I always get charged a HIGHER conversion rate, that includes their fees.

I don't think this has ever happened to me?

I've never been charged a flat rate, but I always get hit with a higher conversion rate than places like XE list. I asked about it once and was told it was the conversion fee. I don't know how accurate that is, but it's what I was told.

So you're saying your rates are, if the current rate is 103Y/$1, you pay 106Y/$1, not what I said, and 100Y/$1?

Because otherwise I said the exact same thing you just said.

Wait. Hold on. I'm backwards. Ignore me. I'm not thinking clearly today. Yeah, sorry. I misread. If the rate is 103:1, I get 100:1. My bad.

Does anyone know if kyoryu gold is this weekend or next?

This is a very important question. I would like this information also

Actually yeah, because as soon as he is released Nippon Yassan can unleash my order.

Yup, Utchy is out this weekend according to my contact.

I swear I remember reading it was May, not complaining though, it just means I get my figures WAY earlier than expected.

It was a March web exclusive NOT a May web exclusive, you're thinking of Torekira Ranger from Zyuranger for May web exclusive involving Sentai Locke :lol.

I wonder why/where I read May, I'm not even interested in Zyu releases.

I think you may have been thinking about Ian and Amy.

Oh my.

Wow!

Yeah it's kinda hard not to think about Amy. :lol

You people stay away, shes mine! :lol

Our work here is done.

Ian & Amy are April. :)

Tricera is May.

It does get confusing at times. lol. I'm very excited to see what the next half of the year holds for Sentai, but I imagine it will be Toqger which I have no interest in. lol.

Wow, that's a lot to think about regarding shipping costs from Mandarake. Imma try ordering one thing from them and hope it goes well.

Everytime I order I choose SAL but then in a not ask them for the EMS price as well and they usually change shipping options if you ask them too.

I always go EMS. It's the only halway respectable shipping option for where I am. SAL is too long and risky, DHL would slam me with customs/duties/tariffs/whatever nonsense.

Where are you located if I may ask? SAL on average takes about 2-3 weeks (which I assume is what you mean by too long, haha) and EMS takes about 1 week for me and I am in Edmonton, Alberta. I did DHL once cause it was cheaper than EMS but than the brokerage fee they charge kind of cancelled it out.

I usually got EMS with Mandarake because it isn't that more, I get it fast (under a week usually), and I am not likely to get hit by taxes. I only do orders that make it worth the shipping though. I'm in Ontario and I find that SAL takes 3-5 weeks a lot of the time. I use it with HLJ when I am doing small orders because it's only about $7.

I don't think I've ever been hit by taxes before whether its SAL or EMS, though knock on wood I hope I don't jinx that. Haha. With my current order with Mandarake EMS is about double what SAL costs but it probably depends on the size of the package. I find that larger orders tend to have similar prices for SAL and EMS.

Yep.

http://p-bandai.jp/tamashiiwebshoute...em-1000083734/

I wonder if the prices of the Black MKVI will go down now...

Yeah, never had fees with either of those. Fedex, UPS, and the like go out of their way to make you pay the fees so they can charge brokerage. It's how they make money. You are actually allowed to self-clear packages and be your own broker but it's quite a hassle. The fact the same exact items can be shipped without fees 90% of the time and services like UPS always hit you with fees 100% of the time tells you all you need to know. It's basically legal scamming of your money as they charge whatever the heck they feel like for the brokerage. Their job is to deliver you a package, not to make sure the government gets their cut. At least Canada Post charges a flat $9.99 if they have to act as a broker.

Exactly why I decided to stop using Fedex and DHL (even though I've only used them each once). I actual don't know anything about what being a broker is.

So I've heard. Man...Canada Post sucks. :/

What is risky about SAL?

If a parcel doesn't show up, as long as they have proof they sent it, there's very little you can do about it. With EMS, as well as getting it within a week, there's full security in that if anything goes wrong you're guaranteed your money back (if through Paypal).

So guys...there's something I want off of Mandarake, and it says "opened-box damaged" but I've heard that Mandarake's descriptions aren't always accurate, so what should I expect?

Mandrake's descriptions are hilarious and ridiculous. "Damaged" on Mandrake is if someone dared to breathe on the packaging :lol

Both of them looks really good, but, I will be only getting Leangle in the July releases.

Gonna go all out for the Gaim SHF barring the vehicles, Kachidoki arms would look incredible as a SHF.


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