Toy Buying Experience From Taobao

Disclaimer alert: I am not sponsored by any toy company, shopping website or shipping service. Like any other consumer, I bear the risks of my purchase in buying and shipping things from another country. Ample research is necessary for a pleasant transaction and this entry is written in goodwill, especially for Singaporean toy collectors so that we can explore cheaper alternatives to get hold of toys. Please apply discretion when shopping online and the writer of this blog is not responsible for any of your transaction. 

 

I started my shopping research with a few objectives in mind. The first is to find lower prices than those that were already available on the toy market in Singapore, both at retail and online retail, without compromising on the quality of toys. The second is to assess the reliability of the sellers I have encountered and the shipping services discussed on other blogs. Last but not least, I wanted to know if I can get hold of toys due for release before they hit the shelves and if I can get hold of highly exclusive products at reasonable prices.               

To start off, why visit Taobao? By now you should know my love for Transformers! Most of the official and non-official Transformers products that I have purchased were made in China, where Taobao, a online shopping website, was founded. Logic dictates that the prices of these products are way cheaper at the country where these toys were manufactured. If you have ever travelled to China and Hong Kong to visit streets where toys were sold, you know this to be true. A quick look at Taobao has proven this to be true as well. Unfortunately, shipping cost has always been a big deterrent as it adds to the amount you pay for the toys, making them close to the retail prices. Lo and behold, because of Taobao's appointed forwarding companies, you can save on direct shipping costs and choose these forwarding services to consolidate your purchases and ship to Singapore at a much cheaper price than direct shipping.   

               

Quick example from Taobao          

I bought a set like this off the site and used 4PX (forwarding service). All in all, with local shipping (waived for my first purchase!), forwarding cost, Aliwangwang's transaction charge (the site's equivalent of PayPal), I paid less than SGD $98 for this set when it can cost SGD $174.50 off retail! The toy is of the same quality as those bought off retail! The joints were tight, no paint smudges, and they pegged well in alt-mode. I was fortunate that the seller I have dealt with for the Bruticus Maximus was efficient in packing the toy well and he shipped the item fast, allowing me to get the toy in just 4 days! Another seller took slightly longer to ship (Skylynx combiner set!) and I messaged him to find out more as he took 24 hours longer than the previous seller. I know. I was being unreasonable but I was really excited! He offered immediate refund if I did not want to wait as he just wanted both of us to have a pleasant transaction. How's that for customer service? I used to think I need to go through shopping agents like Daigou for such good services but I was wrong. I can save on the shopping agent fee and make specific requests directly with the sellers. The sellers are really out to please with very prompt response in the in-app/site messaging service.

As of today, I have found test shots, prototypes and TFCC/botcon/takara shopping mall exclusive items. It's just a search away! I would strongly recommend that you select sellers based on reputation and not attempt pricey purchases until you are familiar with the site. Always check the shipping selected and don't pay until you are clear of the total cost. Otherwise, it's a shopping heaven for Transformers fan!

Let me know if you would like me to do up a shopping and shipping guide! :) 

How It All Began... Part 2

Previously you mentioned that you moved on from Marvel figures to...   

Unlike the collection showcased on my Instagram (@Sgtoydude), a big part of my childhood was not Marvel or Transformers. It was actually anime like Dragon Ball as I was not from an English speaking-family. So when I was trying to find a part of my childhood in my toy collecting journey, I got into display figures from Dragon Ball and later One Piece. Super Sentai came into the picture when I also found mechas from Power Rangers. Imagine the joy of owning the Megazord again!

 

The original Black & Gold Megazord!!!

 

What about the struggles you had with collecting vinyl figures?

 

Oh! That! I had the vinyl Marvel figures displayed on my workstation and over time I didn't like the smell! They just don't smell good on display! I mean after you have accumulated quite a fair bit on display, the smell just grew. I also had problem storing them as they usually came in blister packs. Once opened, you either display them or you pack them into ziplock bags and boxes. It was not easy to display them as most of these figures topple easily. Paintwear was a common pain too. Over time, many of these figures become sticky, which is also a problem when you are purchasing these figures, as some of the older and sought-after figures have the same problems even though they were sold mint in box. It was just more pain than gain. In the end, I decided enough was enough for me.

 

With my G1 design and Matrix, I shall lead your collection!

 

And you moved on to Transformers?

 

Yes! Like many, my first Transformers love was OPTIMUS PRIME! But remember I said earlier that I did not watch much English cartoon or read much English comics? It is embarrassing but true about my relationship with Transformers! I only had vague memory of a few episodes of Transformers aired over Channel 5 and I always remembered the deep booming voice of Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime, leading the Autobots to foil the destructive plans of the Decepticons. I also picked up an Optimus Prime toy as I remembered reading about its collector's value somewhere.

 

It ain't no Optimus collection till it's two shelves!

 

Much has changed since then?

 

I have gone on to watch the entire Transformers: Animated and Transformers Prime. They both got me curious enough to read the entire Generation One comics and the entire IDW series (much are available free for loan from the National Library!). They were enough to get me on track though I still can't bring myself to sit down and watch the old G1 cartoons. Just can't find that sort of patience. I grew to appreciate the design concept behind the Transformers toys. It just fascinates me that the toys can have alt modes and the transformation just baffles me. The plastic used on official products are usually of relatively good quality and I find them durable for handling and great on display! Aside from the older toys, it is usually fun to pose Transformers toys as they have more articulation. 

 

As good as a customized Transformers toy gets!

 

Stay tune for Part 3 as this geek shares more on his Transfomers collection and what he is up to!)

 

 

 

Review- Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar Set 2015 75097 so far...

My first Lego toy review! In the first place, I do not have many entries. Need to remind myself to do this more often and not succumb to the lazy habit of just posting toy pictures over Instagram (@sgtoydude). Anyway, before I beat myself up over my laziness, we are looking at the Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar Set 2015. From my understanding, Lego has been releasing Star Wars Advent Calendar since 2011. The draw of the set lies in the individual toys sealed in 24 compartments that you can open each day leading to Christmas. Not forgetting the set's exclusive figure!

               

Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar 2015 Box Art                                  

The box art showcases a Star Wars battle scene with as much Christmas festivities as you can get in snow. While the box art has accomplished what it is supposed to do, which is to attract children and adults alike who love Star Wars and Lego, I think they have given away too much of what to expect from the box set. It may have killed the surprise element of the advent calendar. Sighs. But let's be honest, you can probably spoil your own suprise by typing the name of the box set in your search engine.

 

Day 1- The Khetanna/ Jabba's Sail Barge (after you use your imagination)

 

Day 2- The Great Pit of Sarlacc (not so great in size. But really cute!)                            

Day 3- LIN Demolitionmech Autonomous Minelayer (I think)                               

Day 4- Jawa (they were much cuter in the movie)          

Day 5- The Sandcrawler (my favourite so far)

The biggest gimmick of the set lies in the surprise that one gets from revealing the sealed toy. So far, we have gotten microbuilds, location build and a minifigure. From my understanding of the previous releases, we should be getting weapon racks and stud-shooting weapon builds too. 

The set felt lackluster as Day 1's build requires a lot of my imagination to see it as Jabba's sail barge. As the days gone by, I began to appreciate the set more. No, I am not just appreciating the set because I eventually got to the minifigure. The point of the set is really for children (or anyone) who can use their imagination to enjoy the microbuilds and what they represent in the Star Wars universe. Granted, you need to have SOME knowledge of Star Wars to fully enjoy the builds. The flap with the landscape design allows you to have the microbuild and minifigures interact with one another for display or simulate the battle scenes in your head. 

I paid SGD $40 for the set and it comes up to about SGD $1.67 per build. If you ask me, the set has already paid for itself with its exclusive Christmas minifigures that can go up to almost SGD $40 on the secondary market. The set does what it is supposed to do. For its price point, it allows a parent to bring 24 days of Christmas surprises to a Star Wars or Lego fan-child (then unveil a giant Star Wars lego set on Christmas. Or not. Let's not get all consumer about the occasion!) The building visuals on the inside of the compartment's flap left much to be desired but they are simple enough for a parent to enjoy the process of building with the child. It is also at a low entry price level for those of us venturing into the Star Wars Lego universe or people who simply do not have enough space to house or display the bigger sets. Please head over to my Instagram as I continue to share the daily builds from this set as we count down to Christmas!