Anime buy thread

[xopher]

I've never really had problems with SAL. As long as it's registered, everything's fine. Takes a little longer, but 1 month is the exception, 1 1/2 - 3 weeks being the usual delivery time, which is okay if I consider that there's usually not much to be gained from having an item 1 or 2 weeks faster, especially if the waiting allows me to save money.

Edit: Which reminds me, finally got to rip and scan the covers of my recent orders.

Register to see the NSFW content

What is that on top of the second stack from the left?

[Deadgye]

Haha, you won't be having any problems with all the luggage you're bound to be carrying?

I probably have to ship some stuff back because it weighs too much to manage it via just the plane.

[Kerberoz]

I've never really had problems with SAL. As long as it's registered, everything's fine.

Registered... meh. It's just placebo insurance plus a tracking number that only updates the morning before it's delivered. I generally use unregistered (when it's available, damn you Mandarake) for anything under 10k and EMS for anything above.

[Petitssk]

What is that on top of the second stack from the left?

Second from the left, CD or Doujinshi? The Doujinshi is this one: Register to see the NSFW content
The CD is this one: http://vgmdb.net/album/33265

Registered... meh. It's just placebo insurance plus a tracking number that only updates the morning before it's delivered. I generally use unregistered (when it's available, damn you Mandarake) for anything under 10k and EMS for anything above.

As far as the safety of the items is concerned, unregistered is enough indeed, at least I've never had issues with items having been damaged during the delivery process.

In general, however, I always prefer tracking numbers to have, at the very least, a rough idea of where my package currently is, as it makes planning absences easier. Furthermore, packages are only delivered in exchange for a signature, or at the very least left in the care of a neighbor, not just carelessly left behind when I'm not there.

Admittedly, that is mainly a result of the time I spent living in a student dormitory with the mailboxes accessible to pretty much anyone. Was away for a weekend, unregistered package arrived during my absence and was stuffed into my mailbox. According to someone from my floor, a large part of it was sticking out, which would also explain why I found the remains of the packaging in the entrance area's bin, as the package was stolen by either a visitor or someone from the dormitory.

On the bright side, the items I bought were overpriced and I had paid for EMS and explicitly demanded EMS, as the seller had previously sent me a package with unregistered SAL despite me having paid for EMS. Long story short, sent a complaint to PayPal and they, of course, accepted my explanation of "Paid for EMS, no tracking number, no items" and I got the money back. Though one of the Doujinshi I had bought at the time is still eluding me.

[Deadgye]

So this is pretty much what I bought while in Japan. Spoilered for huge. I guess I could resize them if anybody requests, because looking now they're way too huge.

Spoiler: show

[Petitssk]

Haha, no surprise you had to send some things separately, seems like a not-so inexpensive experience. By the way, for the second-hand Doujinshi, did you visit Nagomi?

[Deadgye]

Most if not all of my porn came from Akihabara. Almost all of the single doujins came from a store called toranoana. The ones without a cover were one hundred yen each, with every 5 getting you one more for free.

I probably should have uploaded the doujins I already owned too, maybe I'll do that later.

[Petitssk]

Most if not all of my porn came from Akihabara. Almost all of the single doujins came from a store called toranoana. The ones without a cover were one hundred yen each, with every 5 getting you one more for free.

I probably should have uploaded the doujins I already owned too, maybe I'll do that later.

Toranoana still had those Doujinshi? Wow, some of them are downright ancient, so I figured they had to be second-hand.

[Deadgye]

I believe all the ones without the sleeves were second hand. The two hundred yen ones with sleeves were probably also second hand.

[Petitssk]

I believe all the ones without the sleeves were second hand. The two hundred yen ones with sleeves were probably also second hand.

Ah, I see, I didn't know they sold second-hand items, but those are probably exempt from online orders. Not that it matters since they don't ship internationally, I just cannot bring myself to love a store that doesn't love me.

Which reminds me, a few weeks ago, I completely forgot a very good friend's birthday. I felt bad about it for a few days, then I saw something I could possibly use to redeem myself. It's been 3 - 4 years since I last read a Manga, but what I remember about One Piece is that there was this bear in a tracksuit, Bepo, and I loved him. Since said friend loves One Piece, it must be safe to assume that he loves Bepo, because who is capable of not loving a bear in a tracksuit? So when ordering a figure from the Mandarake store in Shibuya, I ordered this wonderful thing here that I had seen a little earlier:

Spoiler: show

Cannot wait to give it to him when he comes back towards the end of this month.

[xElipsis]

I loved Daily Lives of Highschool Boys. Do you guys think this is worth the price?

http://store.nisamerica.com/Anime/Da...mium-Bonus-Set

[Petitssk]

Considering that other DVDs go for almost 5000 Yen for 4 episodes and this is a premium edition with 12 episodes, I suppose you should just go for it if you liked the show.

[Ker]

August:
To Aru Majutsu no Index Endymion no Kiseki(Limit Edition)
To Aru Kagaku no Railgun S Vol 1+2
Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The MOVIE 2nd A's
Dengeki Daioh
Space Battleship Yamato 2199 Vol 1 to 6
Bakemonogatari(Aniplex US)
Nisemonogatari(Aniplex US)

Spoiler: show

I wish Aniplex US had a better packaging to JP BD(I own JP BD release of Bakemonogatari).

Spoiler: show

[Mrbeansman]

Goodsmile needs to release the Okabe and Suzuha Nendoroids they said were in production a year ago. God knows Moeka and Luka will never get anything ever.

[Kerberoz]

Suzuha 1/8 was finally released, at least. Only took 10 months of delays! http://dat.2chan.net/46/res/689303.htm

[Petitssk]

I just love these guys too much.

Spoiler: show

[Insanecyclone]

Rightstuf's holiday sale has been going on for some time now.

http://www.rightstuf.com/rssite/main...blackFriday01/

Order early and often! Keep an eye out for counters — quantities on some items are limited. Remember, the sale ends on December 25, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. CT!

[Petitssk]

Good lord, ordered a ￥3000 figure from Mandarake, one of the last five I'm looking for, good so far. Just got my confirmation mail and shipping with DHL will be ￥3700, which is a lot, even considering the size of the figure. Had to choose DHL because of the following notice on the mainpage:

Starting from 16th December 2013, we are no longer be able to ship orders with Registered SAL small packet to the countries listed below due to the effectivation of Doha Agreement by The Universal Postal Union.
Related countries:
AUSTRALIA, GREENLAND, DENMARK, GERMANY, NORWAY, HUNGARY, FINLAND, POLAND
Please choose EMS or DHL when placing the order.
*Other than mentioned, some other countries will also not accept SAL small packet. Please check with your local post office for details.

However, in the confirmation mail, they also mentioned that I could switch to SAL (￥1680) if I wanted to. I have no idea if they didn't notice that I'm from Germany, but if my shipping options really are limited to either DHL or EMS from now on, placing orders on Mandarake's website is out of the question for cheaper orders, especially if I take the handling fee into account.

Waiting for an answer right now, I can only hope for the best.

Edit: Okay, they just didn't see that I'm from Germany. A most problematic turn of events.

[Yugl]

http://dealnews.com/Amazon-Big-Funim...me/945021.html

[Petitssk]

Ah, there it is, an official notice regarding the whole SAL-issue: http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/inf...218_01_en.html

I'm wondering which part of the whole "Free Trade"-matter made these changes necessary.