[TF:CR] Color Pictures of God Magnus up
Anthony Oster
I'm not sure if anyone has posted this or not, but imageanime.com has
colored pictures of GodMagnus in both robot and truck modes, and a shot
of SuperGodFireConvoy.
Anthony
C. Hare
"Anthony Oster" <tuxed...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:399E3024...@earthlink.net...
My fault, I'm afraid. I showed 'em where the shot on the newsgroup was.
Oh, and as far as the $250 Fort Max, the story appears to be, "That's how
much it costs us, we don't know how other places are selling it for less,
cause we can't possibly sell it for less. If it winds up costing more like
220, we'll refund the differance." Oh, and the Toycom Valk... Saw the V-19
there. It's sold, though... and the rest have been recalled with hip
problems. No news on Harmony Gold.
Firestone, who is quite pleased with her Build King. The shoulders, despite
all worry, appear to be quite sound. A challenge: Can you build Build King,
remove Build Boy, rotate 120 degrees, and turn him to the next version?
And a helpful hint: For loose joints, unscrewing, and adding just a dab of
DAP Fun-Tak is very helpful to stiffen them up. I'm aware there's another
method using watered down krazy blue, but this may be safer.
The Waspinator
"C. Hare" <ch...@bestweb.net> wrote in message
news:ddvn5.1988$kM2.2...@newshog.newsread.com...
> My fault, I'm afraid. I showed 'em where the shot on the newsgroup was.
> Oh, and as far as the $250 Fort Max, the story appears to be, "That's how
> much it costs us, we don't know how other places are selling it for less,
> cause we can't possibly sell it for less. If it winds up costing more like
> 220, we'll refund the differance."
Ha, I don't believe that for a second. They aren't selling it at cost.
They have no reason to. They might possibly be selling it for only a few
dollars over cost, but I somehow doubt that. And there's no way they'd
admit that they made too much profit and give anyone a refund. I don't
think even the most incredibly honest business would do that.
ADY, glad he's got his preorder at Wizzywig.
C. Hare
"The Waspinator" <ady...@cox-internet.com> wrote in message
news:spt3fo...@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "C. Hare" <ch...@bestweb.net> wrote in message
> news:ddvn5.1988$kM2.2...@newshog.newsread.com...
>
how
> > much it costs us, we don't know how other places are selling it for
less,
> > cause we can't possibly sell it for less. If it winds up costing more
like
> > 220, we'll refund the differance."
>
> Ha, I don't believe that for a second. They aren't selling it at cost.
>
>
putting a profit into it... but I never said I agreed on what they think a
reasonable profit is. The _point_ was, "No, they aren't lowering the $250
pre-order."
Firestone
The Waspinator
> This is why I said "The story appears to be." I didn't say they weren't
> putting a profit into it... but I never said I agreed on what they think a
> reasonable profit is. The _point_ was, "No, they aren't lowering the $250
> pre-order."
> Firestone
Sorry, I was arguing their story, not your statement. Though, "That's how
much it costs us" does imply a lack of profit.
I wouldn't expect them to lower their prices, anyway. Image is always one
of the most expensive stores for Japanese TF's. It's a wonder they stay in
business. I suppose they probably make most of their sales to the
uninformed or desperate. :)
ADY
Victory Sabre
http://www.robozone.com/
Pretty nifty, as well, since they now take secure credit card orders online! :)
-Victory Sabre
http://hometown.aol.com//victorysabre/vscpmain.html
Aim_less
as much as wizzywigs.. at TOJ admits that Maxes are being sold at $100
a pop.
In article <20000819114306...@ng-fu1.aol.com>,
--
-Aimless
Visit http://aimless.homepage.com for pics of Rare TFs (and Valks if I
ever get any).. I want your 1/55 Valks and parts! Let me know if you
have any!
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
William McCaffrey
Aim_less wrote in message <8nn5b8$sps$1...@nnrp1.deja.com>...
>I got my brave max at toys online japan. Their price shipped surface is
>as much as wizzywigs.. at TOJ admits that Maxes are being sold at $100
>a pop.
Yes, and you bring up a point I haven't seen addressed yet. TOJ's website
also states that air shipping is another $100, or $50 for surface delivery.
So if you figure some stores are buying them at retail AND paying for air
shipping, they're already spending $200 each on the suckers right there. So
I'm not going to criticize places too much for charging $250. Places like
Image Anime, who fly out to Japan personally, buy the stuff, and have it
shipped back are bound to charge more than the people who have direct
shipping out of Japan. Since they have to make a profit as well as pay
import fees and travel fares, not to MENTION the cost of rent in Manhattan,
hopefully you can at least understand why their prices are a little steep.
Besides, it's a lot better than the $500+ some people want for a loose,
incomplete Fort Max.
Jeff Stein
>also states that air shipping is another $100, or $50 for surface delivery.
>So if you figure some stores are buying them at retail AND paying for air
>shipping, they're already spending $200 each on the suckers right there. So
>I'm not going to criticize places too much for charging $250. Places like
>Image Anime, who fly out to Japan personally, buy the stuff, and have it
>shipped back are bound to charge more than the people who have direct
>shipping out of Japan. Since they have to make a profit as well as pay
>import fees and travel fares, not to MENTION the cost of rent in Manhattan,
>hopefully you can at least understand why their prices are a little steep.
>
Well, considering they're shipping these guys in bulk (how else would one ship
dozens upon dozens of Fort Max recolors? :), I would imagine that the shipping
charges aren't too horrible.
-Jeff
William McCaffrey
Jeff Stein wrote in message
<20000820023033...@ng-fy1.aol.com>...
>
>Well, considering they're shipping these guys in bulk (how else would one
ship
>dozens upon dozens of Fort Max recolors? :), I would imagine that the
shipping
>charges aren't too horrible.
>
>-Jeff
Yes, but my point was about the stores who WON'T get them in bulk. I've been
to Image Anime's store, and it's rather small. They wouldn't have the space
to store "dozens upon dozens" of Fort Maxes. A store who's only going to buy
a few of them at $100 each, plus shipping of $50-$100 each, is naturally
going to charge more.
Jeff Stein
>to Image Anime's store, and it's rather small. They wouldn't have the space
>to store "dozens upon dozens" of Fort Maxes. A store who's only going to buy
>a few of them at $100 each, plus shipping of $50-$100 each, is naturally
>going to charge more.
>
They're not restricted to importing only one type of item in their bulk
shipments. They could put anything else they want to buy for the entire
week/month/year in that shipment of Maxes. And if they're not doing that, then
they're wasting their own money.
-Jeff
William McCaffrey
Jeff Stein wrote in message
>They're not restricted to importing only one type of item in their bulk
>shipments. They could put anything else they want to buy for the entire
>week/month/year in that shipment of Maxes. And if they're not doing that,
then
>they're wasting their own money.
>
>-Jeff
Sigh... Then go work for them and show them what they're doing "Wrong".
Apologies if this sounds like a snippy response to only you, Jeff, but it's
more an unbottling of frustrations I've been holding in while watching
people criticize a store that's only done good things by me, and offering
"Suggestions" on how THEY could run it better.
Look, I'm only defending them because I've been going to them for years,
before they moved to Manhattan, and I've spoken to one of the owners quite a
bit. I've heard them go over how expensive it is for them to bring the stuff
over, not just by mail, but by bringing it over themselves on the bloody
plane.
So please understand that it gets my undies in a bunch when I see people on
the newsgroup playing "Armchair businessman", and saying how they could run
the business a lot better, or even worse, implying that they're "Rip-off
artists". These guys DON'T have a lot of money, and they DON'T have a direct
distributor, but they do what they can, and they DO have a dedicated
customer base. They once bent over backward to find a rather expensive Brave
toy for me, and HELD it in their store until I came in again, and this was
for several months. They even held a Brave Reideen figure for me until I
could afford it. It can be a year before I go back to that store, and they
will not only remember WHO I am, but what I'm interested in. THAT kind of
service, I'm willing to pay for.
Other importers have left me waiting for months, overcharged me, sent me
damaged items, or have just been extremely difficult to deal with.
(PlanetAnime, NGToys)
So if they're going to charge $250 for a Brave Maximus, then at least *I*
for one believe that THAT'S what they've got to charge to make a profit.
I've known them long enough and talked to them enough to know that they'd
lower their prices to be more competitve if they could. But they count on
people who want good service to come back to them.
Before I conclude, this whole thing was started because a lot of people are
using Wizzywig's Pre-order price of $149 as the GUIDLINE for Brave Maximus
prices. I should point out that that price DOES NOT include shipping, and
their website does not give a specific shipping amount, saying only that it
will vary by order weight. The cheapest price I have seen is $150 from Toys
Online Japan, and that's with slow surface shipping. Faster shipping would
be $200 total, and he states that that will be with Maximus pretty much at a
retail price of $100. And he's gotten pre-orders for that full $200 price.
So my point, again, is that if people are willing to spend $200 to get one
at retail price direct from Japan, is it really THAT horrible for a store to
want to charge $250 so they make a decent profit? I don't care how much
other people are charging, I don't CARE how you think they could "Improve"
their shipping methods and charge less. The bottom line is, THEY'RE the ones
running a business, THEY'RE the ones who have the expenses, and THEY'RE the
ones who need to make a profit.
Lord knows, *I* could get on a soap-box and complain how Robozone is selling
some items for nearly 200-300% more than places like Kimono My House, but I
don't. It's their business to run, and it's their "Business" how much they
want to charge. Period.
I'll await the flames now.
Jeff Stein
hindsight, I realize it was presumptuous of me to think that Image Anime did
their business the same way I would. I don't think you can ignore, though,
that their method does raise the price of their items substantially. Not a
criticism, just an observation.
Will McCaffrey wrote:
>Sigh... Then go work for them and show them what they're doing "Wrong".
No thanks. I have my own entrepreneuring ideas to play with :P
>Apologies if this sounds like a snippy response to only you, Jeff, but it's
>more an unbottling of frustrations I've been holding in while watching
>people criticize a store that's only done good things by me, and offering
>"Suggestions" on how THEY could run it better.
That's understandable. When people talk negatively about subjects they think
otherwise of, only chaos can ensue!!! (e.g. Beast Machine flame wars) I've
never delt with IA so I'm not particularly sensitive to comments disparaging
their shipping method. I only hope we can put our sensitivities aside as we
continue to discuss this topic.
>Look, I'm only defending them because I've been going to them for years,
>before they moved to Manhattan, and I've spoken to one of the owners quite a
>bit. I've heard them go over how expensive it is for them to bring the stuff
>over, not just by mail, but by bringing it over themselves on the bloody
>plane.
But why do they do this? Do other places like Wizzywig do this? I know a guy
who runs a business who can get Spychangers for $4 each and he doesn't even
have to travel to Japan.
>So please understand that it gets my undies in a bunch when I see people on
>the newsgroup playing "Armchair businessman", and saying how they could run
>the business a lot better, or even worse, implying that they're "Rip-off
>artists". These guys DON'T have a lot of money, and they DON'T have a direct
>distributor, but they do what they can, and they DO have a dedicated
>customer base. They once bent over backward to find a rather expensive Brave
>toy for me, and HELD it in their store until I came in again, and this was
>for several months. They even held a Brave Reideen figure for me until I
>could afford it. It can be a year before I go back to that store, and they
>will not only remember WHO I am, but what I'm interested in. THAT kind of
>service, I'm willing to pay for.
They sound like good guys as far as customer service is concerned :)
>Other importers have left me waiting for months, overcharged me, sent me
>damaged items, or have just been extremely difficult to deal with.
>(PlanetAnime, NGToys)
Sorry to hear about it.
>So if they're going to charge $250 for a Brave Maximus, then at least *I*
>for one believe that THAT'S what they've got to charge to make a profit.
>I've known them long enough and talked to them enough to know that they'd
>lower their prices to be more competitve if they could. But they count on
>people who want good service to come back to them.
You really seem to like them, eh? ;)
>Before I conclude, this whole thing was started because a lot of people are
>using Wizzywig's Pre-order price of $149 as the GUIDLINE for Brave Maximus
>prices. I should point out that that price DOES NOT include shipping, and
>their website does not give a specific shipping amount, saying only that it
>will vary by order weight. The cheapest price I have seen is $150 from Toys
>Online Japan, and that's with slow surface shipping. Faster shipping would
>be $200 total, and he states that that will be with Maximus pretty much at a
>retail price of $100. And he's gotten pre-orders for that full $200 price.
>
>So my point, again, is that if people are willing to spend $200 to get one
>at retail price direct from Japan, is it really THAT horrible for a store to
>want to charge $250 so they make a decent profit? I don't care how much
>other people are charging, I don't CARE how you think they could "Improve"
>their shipping methods and charge less. The bottom line is, THEY'RE the ones
>running a business, THEY'RE the ones who have the expenses, and THEY'RE the
>ones who need to make a profit.
Am I correct in thinking that you don't want people complaining about Image
Anime and you don't want people like me thinking of ideas as to how they should
do business? I can appreciate your pleasent description of their service but I
think this is going too far.
Think about this for a second: Are you actually helping Image Anime or
hindering them with this request of yours?
Let's analyze complaints regarding businesses (such as those that Image Anime's
prices are too high). What harm do they do? Really, none at all. They expose
weaknesses in a business which would eventually be obvious to the savy consumer
anyway. These weaknesses are then clearly visible to both the public (in this
type of forum, at least) and the business. The business can then reflect upon
their reported short-coming and choose whether or not to do something to
prevent further complaints. If they choose to ignore a complaint, they lose
business. If they remedy the problem, they'll gain business. In a sense, they
evolve because they know what aspects they must make better in order to
maintain a healthy business.
According to my logic, complaints actually help business! ;)
And what of the armchair businessmen? Are we really that bad? Really, ideas
like mine only facilitate this process of bettering the business. They can
look at my idea as a possible solution to their problem. If people like me did
not put forth ideas, people like them might go out of business.
So maybe complaints and ideas really aren't so bad after all?
>Lord knows, *I* could get on a soap-box and complain how Robozone is selling
>some items for nearly 200-300% more than places like Kimono My House, but I
>don't. It's their business to run, and it's their "Business" how much they
>want to charge. Period.
Don't get me started on Robozone.. ;)
>I'll await the flames now.
I hope you appreciate my response as more than just a flame :)
Time for me to sleep.. I hope this message is coherent since it's so late.. ;P
-Jeff
William McCaffrey
Jeff Stein wrote in message
>Thanks for informing me of how Image Anime actually does their business.
In
>hindsight, I realize it was presumptuous of me to think that Image Anime
did
>their business the same way I would. I don't think you can ignore, though,
>that their method does raise the price of their items substantially. Not a
>criticism, just an observation.
Yes, I realize that. But as they're just a bunch of guys running their
business the best they can, without the benefit of a direct wholesale
distributor in Japan, not to mention their operating costs, I can forgive
them. They started the business by bringing stuff back from their trips to
Japan and then selling them here in NY. They started small, and have been
slowly and steadily growing. They finally started making enough to move to a
more visible location in Manhattan and maintaining a website only within the
last 3 years. They're still doing things the same way because it's worked
for them so far, even with the competition they've been up against with the
other importers who've become more well known in the last few years. They're
still suffering some growing pains, but they're surviving, and they do look
for ways to improve their business while still maintaining enough to cover
costs, which in New York, quite frankly, are a big concern. Rent, taxes, and
utilities in NYC are among the highest in the country, an easily verified
fact. :) They have had many items reduced for sale on their website
occasionally, but when I point these out, many people refuse to go because
they don't like a price they once saw there. Another sore spot with me. It's
mixing apples and oranges.
>That's understandable. When people talk negatively about subjects they
think
>otherwise of, only chaos can ensue!!! (e.g. Beast Machine flame wars) I've
>never delt with IA so I'm not particularly sensitive to comments
disparaging
>their shipping method. I only hope we can put our sensitivities aside as
we
>continue to discuss this topic.
So far, yeah.
>But why do they do this?
Like I said, it's how they started out, and it's worked for them so far.
Even if they've found a more efficient way of shipping the items back to New
York, they still spend a lot of money on airfare to Japan for "Shopping
Trips" to restock their supplies. Customs is a nightmare too, as I remember
them complaining that one shipment of toys was held up in red tape for
several weeks. There was also some unpleasantness with a sister store that
they helped get started in Manhattan back when they were still out on Long
Island. But the place decided to cut them out of the picture without
warning, and they're still a little sore about it.
Do other places like Wizzywig do this? I know a guy
>who runs a business who can get Spychangers for $4 each and he doesn't even
>have to travel to Japan.
I know a LOT of people who can get Spychangers for $4 each. Trouble is, they
tend to charge $8 to $12 for them ANYWAY. That's an unfortunate business
practice when it comes to reselling things. They try to get at least twice
as much as they paid for the item. As for Wizzywig, I have no idea how they
do business. I didn't even know they EXISTED until somone posted their
preorder prices. For all I know, they have a wholesale distribution source
in Japan somehow. They're STILL charging an extra $50 above retail price for
Brave Maximus, so I have to wonder if they're paying shipping at all, or
have some other method of bringing them into the country. If I asked, they
probably wouldn't tell me. :)
>They sound like good guys as far as customer service is concerned :)
They are. They told me that they try to make up for their prices by being
more reliable and more customer-friendly than the rest.
>>Other importers have left me waiting for months, overcharged me, sent me
>>damaged items, or have just been extremely difficult to deal with.
>>(PlanetAnime, NGToys)
>
>Sorry to hear about it.
Nothing you can do about it, but the sentiment's appreciated. I just wish
more people had read my rant about Astrotoys/PlanetAnime's lousy service.
>You really seem to like them, eh? ;)
Well, like I said, they've only done right by me. Not many stores will leave
an "In Demand" item under the counter for months until I come in to buy one.
And when I had asked them to find a DX Great Goldrun for me, they brought it
to a convention they knew I'd be at for me to pick it up. Since they moved
to the city, I don't get there as often as I used to, but it's great to see
that they always recognize me. Heh. For a while, when I first found them, I
was known jokingly as "The SD Gundam Guy" due to my buyng habits.
>Am I correct in thinking that you don't want people complaining about Image
>Anime and you don't want people like me thinking of ideas as to how they
should
>do business? I can appreciate your pleasent description of their service
but I
>think this is going too far.
My ire is more because people are taking one relatively low price as the
standard, and are acting like anyone who doesn't MEET that popular price is
either a rip-off artist or a poor businessman. It's happened several times
with the subject of Image Anime, and I've occasionally responded with an
unti-now brief defense. Undfortunately, this is usually met with a lecture
on how to run an import business, and a hail of abuse from people who
themselves have never run a business, and who don't have the faintest idea
of the workings of the postal services outside the U.S. I myself only
understand a fraction of it and it makes my head spin. Like, you can only
ship something valued up to a certain amount to the U.S. without import fees
by claiming it's a "gift", but beyond that limit, the fees start racking up.
In some provinces, larger packages are opened for inspection before going
overseas, and they charge you for the inspection. Finding a cheap method can
be a nightmare.
>Think about this for a second: Are you actually helping Image Anime or
>hindering them with this request of yours?
>
>Let's analyze complaints regarding businesses (such as those that Image
Anime's
>prices are too high). What harm do they do? Really, none at all. They
expose
>weaknesses in a business which would eventually be obvious to the savy
consumer
>anyway.
True, but as I've said, they're quite aware of the fact that they're
slightly more expensive than most of the importers/dealers out there. But
they try to make up for it with better service. They do hope that one day
they'll be large enough and profitable enough to lower their prices enough
to be competitive, but right now, they're charging what they need to in
order to cover expenses and show a profit.
>According to my logic, complaints actually help business! ;)
I can appreciate that, but as I've said, they're aware of what many consider
to be their shortcomings.
>And what of the armchair businessmen? Are we really that bad? Really,
ideas
>like mine only facilitate this process of bettering the business. They can
>look at my idea as a possible solution to their problem. If people like me
did
>not put forth ideas, people like them might go out of business.
Yes, but I've been exposed to ideas from people whose biggest foray into
running a business is selling their old toys on eBay. The ones with big
ideas, but no clue as to whether it would actually work in the real world,
and who have never done it themselves. THOSE are the "Armchair Businessmen"
I refer to. If I may mangle an old proverb, "Those who can't do, preach"
>So maybe complaints and ideas really aren't so bad after all?
If they're informed, they're not so bad. If they're from people who say
"Well, priority mail is only $3 and above, so why don't they use Priofity
mail from Japan?" are the ones that need a boot to the head.
>>Lord knows, *I* could get on a soap-box and complain how Robozone is
selling
>>some items for nearly 200-300% more than places like Kimono My House, but
I
>>don't. It's their business to run, and it's their "Business" how much they
>>want to charge. Period.
>
>Don't get me started on Robozone.. ;)
Ah, a kindred spirit on Robozone. Okay, I'll leave them alone. For now. :)
>>I'll await the flames now.
>
>I hope you appreciate my response as more than just a flame :)
I do indeed. It went a lot better than I anticipated. I only hope Image
Anime isn't getting some backlash from this. (I wouldn't put it past some of
the people I've seen in this group.)
>Time for me to sleep.. I hope this message is coherent since it's so late..
;P
More coherent than some of the rambling e-mails I've gotten from others in
the past. I swear, once I got messages from Kaisertron (THERE'S a name from
ATT past...) that made me think it was several people all using the same
address, since he couldn't remember WHAT the hell he had originally mailed
me about, despite the fact the original text was included in my response.
Pleasure doing "Business" with you,
Will
"Time is Money? - Sell your watch."
C. Hare
<TW%o5.28589$4T.16...@bgtnsc07-news.ops.worldnet.att.
>>But why do they do this?
>>>Other importers have left me waiting for months, overcharged me, sent
>>>me damaged items, or have just been extremely difficult to deal with.
>>>(PlanetAnime, NGToys)
>>
Damaged goods. I really feel for IA on damaged goods. I've walked in when
the Gundam Shipments come. The entire store is full of eight foot tall by
six foot square piles of boxes. Maybe one in six is seriously flood
damaged, from the trip over. Bad lossage, bad.
>
>Well, like I said, they've only done right by me. Not many stores will
>leave an "In Demand" item under the counter for months until I come in
>to buy one.
Alack and alas, they managed to twice sell something off the shelf I asked
them to save for me. A Milla Valk model, and a Microman thingy. Only a
week, too.
>
>I do indeed. It went a lot better than I anticipated. I only hope Image
>Anime isn't getting some backlash from this. (I wouldn't put it past
>some of the people I've seen in this group.)
>
Nah. The point is, sometimes you need it _now_. IA's good for that. And for
the whim-purchase.
Firestone
Jeff Stein
<snip of IA's history>
> They have had many items reduced for sale on their website
>occasionally, but when I point these out, many people refuse to go because
>they don't like a price they once saw there. Another sore spot with me. It's
>mixing apples and oranges.
Ugh. I wonder why someone would do that. That doesn't make much sense at all
:P
<snip>
>>But why do they do this?
>
>Like I said, it's how they started out, and it's worked for them so far.
>Even if they've found a more efficient way of shipping the items back to New
>York, they still spend a lot of money on airfare to Japan for "Shopping
>Trips" to restock their supplies. Customs is a nightmare too, as I remember
>them complaining that one shipment of toys was held up in red tape for
>several weeks. There was also some unpleasantness with a sister store that
>they helped get started in Manhattan back when they were still out on Long
>Island. But the place decided to cut them out of the picture without
>warning, and they're still a little sore about it.
Sounds like they've run into some hard luck in the past.
>Do other places like Wizzywig do this? I know a guy
>>who runs a business who can get Spychangers for $4 each and he doesn't even
>>have to travel to Japan.
>
>I know a LOT of people who can get Spychangers for $4 each. Trouble is, they
>tend to charge $8 to $12 for them ANYWAY. That's an unfortunate business
>practice when it comes to reselling things. They try to get at least twice
>as much as they paid for the item.
I wonder how they expect to compete against the big boys with those prices. Oh
well, like you said, it's their business and they can run it how they want.
> As for Wizzywig, I have no idea how they
>do business. I didn't even know they EXISTED until somone posted their
>preorder prices. For all I know, they have a wholesale distribution source
>in Japan somehow. They're STILL charging an extra $50 above retail price for
>Brave Maximus, so I have to wonder if they're paying shipping at all, or
>have some other method of bringing them into the country. If I asked, they
>probably wouldn't tell me. :)
I've never done business with them so I don't know either. Like I said before,
it all depends on the quanitity of the item. If a business was to ship all its
Brave Maximuses along with any other items from Japan in a container (a
huuuuuuge storage item for shipping things in mass quanitites overseas; I
learned about it from reading bootleg toy discussion group messages, go figure!
;) it would not cost as much as other methods.
<snip>
>>You really seem to like them, eh? ;)
>
>Well, like I said, they've only done right by me. Not many stores will leave
>an "In Demand" item under the counter for months until I come in to buy one.
>And when I had asked them to find a DX Great Goldrun for me, they brought it
>to a convention they knew I'd be at for me to pick it up. Since they moved
>to the city, I don't get there as often as I used to, but it's great to see
>that they always recognize me. Heh. For a while, when I first found them, I
>was known jokingly as "The SD Gundam Guy" due to my buyng habits.
Bwahaha. That's funny ;P
>>Am I correct in thinking that you don't want people complaining about Image
>>Anime and you don't want people like me thinking of ideas as to how they
>should
>>do business? I can appreciate your pleasent description of their service
>but I
>>think this is going too far.
>
>My ire is more because people are taking one relatively low price as the
>standard, and are acting like anyone who doesn't MEET that popular price is
>either a rip-off artist or a poor businessman. It's happened several times
>with the subject of Image Anime, and I've occasionally responded with an
>unti-now brief defense. Undfortunately, this is usually met with a lecture
>on how to run an import business, and a hail of abuse from people who
>themselves have never run a business, and who don't have the faintest idea
>of the workings of the postal services outside the U.S. I myself only
>understand a fraction of it and it makes my head spin. Like, you can only
>ship something valued up to a certain amount to the U.S. without import fees
>by claiming it's a "gift", but beyond that limit, the fees start racking up.
>In some provinces, larger packages are opened for inspection before going
>overseas, and they charge you for the inspection. Finding a cheap method can
>be a nightmare.
Well, that definately was not the theme of my posts so I guess you weren't
responding directly to me, eh? :)
<big snip>
>>And what of the armchair businessmen? Are we really that bad? Really,
>ideas
>>like mine only facilitate this process of bettering the business. They can
>>look at my idea as a possible solution to their problem. If people like me
>did
>>not put forth ideas, people like them might go out of business.
>
>Yes, but I've been exposed to ideas from people whose biggest foray into
>running a business is selling their old toys on eBay. The ones with big
>ideas, but no clue as to whether it would actually work in the real world,
>and who have never done it themselves. THOSE are the "Armchair Businessmen"
>I refer to.
Oh! Once again, I thought you were refering to me. I'm glad to see you
weren't.
>If I may mangle an old proverb, "Those who can't do, preach"
True. :)
>>So maybe complaints and ideas really aren't so bad after all?
>
>If they're informed, they're not so bad. If they're from people who say
>"Well, priority mail is only $3 and above, so why don't they use Priofity
>mail from Japan?" are the ones that need a boot to the head.
LOL ;P
>>>Lord knows, *I* could get on a soap-box and complain how Robozone is
>selling
>>>some items for nearly 200-300% more than places like Kimono My House, but
>I
>>>don't. It's their business to run, and it's their "Business" how much they
>>>want to charge. Period.
>>
>>Don't get me started on Robozone.. ;)
>
>Ah, a kindred spirit on Robozone. Okay, I'll leave them alone. For now. :)
Me too. There are bigger fish to fry :>
>>>I'll await the flames now.
>>
>>I hope you appreciate my response as more than just a flame :)
>
>I do indeed. It went a lot better than I anticipated. I only hope Image
>Anime isn't getting some backlash from this. (I wouldn't put it past some of
>the people I've seen in this group.)
I'm glad it went over well with you. I sincerely hope Image Anime isn't
getting backlash because people were speculating as to what their profit margin
is. That's really not a good way to judge a business :)
>>Time for me to sleep.. I hope this message is coherent since it's so late..
>;P
>
>More coherent than some of the rambling e-mails I've gotten from others in
>the past. I swear, once I got messages from Kaisertron (THERE'S a name from
>ATT past...) that made me think it was several people all using the same
>address, since he couldn't remember WHAT the hell he had originally mailed
>me about, despite the fact the original text was included in my response.
Kaisertron, the guy who took the crappy gold missiles off a bootleg Fighbird's
breast plate and attempted to pass it off as the real thing (among other
notorious and idiotic actions)??? I didn't know he was rambler too ^_^
>Pleasure doing "Business" with you,
Likewise :)
Jeff