Hey guys, I just wanted to ask a quick question.

I just ordered a Tamiya M4A3 Sherman 105mm in 1/35 off of Amazon. Besides the name it said in brackets that it was a "Japan Import". Does this cause any drawbacks in the state of the model? I also want instructions in English.

Many thanks,
Kurt

I've bought from Japanese sellers off of Amazon.com many times - as they had the best prices, and had no problems whatsoever. All the kits included English or bilingual instructions. It just took a while to get the kit (usually about a month). So I wouldn't be worried.

Regards,

James

I just received Tamiyas M51 a couple weeks ago. $28 including shipping. I just had to wait about a month to get it.

I just got the Tamiya M51 in the mail today with all the photoetch bits for a great price off eBay. Japanese seller, from Osaka. Bilingual everything. I've got Tamiya stuff from China, Russia, South America and other places and they have all been multi-language. Some of the english was pretty bad but understandable.

Kurt,

There should not be any drawbacks on Tamiya kits bought thru Amazon.

I have purchased probably two dozen kits mostly from Japanese vendors listed on Amazon over the past 2-3 years. I think the exception of the Fine Molds Type 1 Chi He, all had English / Japanese bilingual instructions. Most of my purchases were Tamiya and Hasegawa kits.

Most of the kit prices listed on Amazon are just plain out of wack. Over priced is an understatement. I really wonder what are these vendors thinking. But sometimes you can find a few good bargains. I got a Hobby Boss 44M TAS for Cad$32 all in. There once was a Takom Chieftain mk 5 listed for just over $50 CAD all in. I regretted not buying it right away.

The only draw back of buying from Amazon is the long shipping time. Fastest was just 2 weeks for the Pink Panther SAS land rover. Average was 4-5 weeks. This is my own experience so far.

The other possible problem is the parcel gets lost. That happened recently (or maybe it was not shipped at all?). After not getting anywhere with the vendor, Amazon refunded my money. i waited 2 months for the kit.

I shop between Amazon,HobbyLinc and Scale Hobbyist.
Can anyone recommend a vendor? Except mega hobby,no,no

Take a look at "Lots of Models"

Sprue Brothers, Squadron. culttvmanshop.com for sci-fi. Scale Hobbyist has some better prices tho.

I use an Amazon vendor called Toy Shop Japan Hobby One; I've received items every time in just under two weeks; they have a really positive rating; they might not have every Tamiya kit but I've found, among others, the Brummbar, Krupp Protze, and German Field Kitchen; I think the most I paid for any item was $20+change; each arrived in good condition and all parts accounted for; 2 instruction sheets in each kit, typical Tamiya Japanese and English; no problems so far

Not since the Canadian dollar was at or near par with the US dollar a few short years ago, have i made an internet purchase from a US shop. The exception was resin kits from Jacques at SAAM. Even though the Asian shops sell in US dollars, it is the matter of Canadian customs clearance and taxes that add to my costs and also the shipping fee seems high. I have never paid taxes on purchases from Asia.
But I have been caught twice by purchases from the USA. $5 paid to Canada Post to collect the taxes on behalf of CRA and of course the US vendor will include a FULL retail invoice with the parcel. The kits are expensive already!

Most of the model kit vendors listed on Amazon are in Japan where probably the US dollar appreciation/depreciation does not seem to affect the prices. CAD prices are listed on the Amazon site and my CC is charged in CAD. Generally I paid between $18 to $40 per kit. Average price per kit around $30 + /- and includes cost of shipping. I have purchased Tamiya tools, 1/35 armor, 1/20 Formula 1 cars and 1/48 airplane kits over the past 2-3 years at great prices. Only my Pegasus 1/32 Terminator Aerial Hunter Killer was shipped from California. The shipping transit took almost a month!

Squadron , Sprue brothers mostly . However they dont keep up with the new kits so well, lately ! looking elsewhere.

Agree!

I'm quite the frequent buyer from LOM. Fast service/mailing, lots of cool stuff, and sometimes free shipping. After first purchase there is usually a coupon code enclosed for your next order for additional 10% off.