Import site recommendations/reviews
 

I'm actually making this beause I wanna know if anyone's dealt with Global Freaks - https://www.global-freaks.com/en/

Also curious about nin-nin game and their shipping speed - https://www.nin-nin-game.com/en/

If this thread goes on, I'd like it to be a hub of Canadian experiences with various sites: pricing, import costs, shipping methods, etc.

Considering how limited shipping options were from the pandemic then tryna get stuff from AmiAmi and dealing with DHL, It would be nice to get a better handle from other people who buy imports into Canada. EMS recently became available again so things seem to be improving.

Re: Import site recommendations/reviews
 

I'm partial to amazon.co.jp for general releases. You pay what's on the order summary, no surprise handling fees or taxes at the door. Plus, they price-protect preorders. Only downside is preorders often can't be cancelled after 30ish days, and they don't pack items securely.

I use nin-nin-game for p-bandai exclusives. Prices are fine when preordering, but they'll definitely hike-up the price of an in-stock exclusive. My orders shipped through Fedex, who have additional, unadvertised handling fees.

Re: Import site recommendations/reviews
 

Anime-export is good for p Bandai. Hobbysearch 1999 is another option for standard releases. I've heard good things about global freaks on other boards although Never ordered from them myself.

Re: Import site recommendations/reviews
 

The only downside to Anime-Export is that if they mess up good luck getting a reply from them. Otherwise they are good.

Re: Import site recommendations/reviews
 

Amazon Japan has been a blessing, I'll take their import fee over DHL's any day. Only wonky thing with their pre-ordering I found is they kinda do their own thing with start times. Like maybe a day or 2 after amiami or hobbysearch, so it's easy to miss the cheaper 'shipped by amazon' prices.

Re: Import site recommendations/reviews
 

I generally use HLJ.com and anime-export.com. They both have private warehouse /pile of loot options that I utilise.

Occasionally I use AmiAmi as well.

I’ve used nin-nin, but I’ve also heard about non too stellar experiences with them.

Sometimes when there’s a good sale on I’ll pick a few things up from CDjapan.

Re: Import site recommendations/reviews
 

Yeah I learned that first hand years ago when the original Vegeto S.H Figuarts from Dragon Ball came out. I ordered from there and they sent me a Vegeto prize statue instead of the figure by accident. Ended up never getting a reply from them and having to order another one off Amazon.