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.