Looks like my Mandarake parcel finally moved after 2.5 months! Hopefully we'll all get our goodies soon!
I had one remaining package from Mandarake Sahra that was returned to sender back in April. I didn't hear anything further from the store, so I finally e-mailed them to check, and they responded with the standard request to change shipping method to DHL. So if anyone still has Mandarake packages that were returned to sender, you may need to check with the store if you have not heard anything since then.
From my experience...the individual stores were quick to contact me about changing to dhl. Sahra however made no attempt to reship until I inquired about it.
Thank you for the update! Just got my EMS parcel that was shipped out on 6/22 (but ordered back in April) a couple of days ago .
I asked a Japanese seller on eBay about what they were doing for ship at the moment, and got this reply: Hello, Thank you for the message. It can be shipped by sea mail. However, since it cannot be delivered by air, it will take several months to arrive and it will take a very long time. Huh. Dropping $18 to wait until Christmas I think I can skip. Related: Anyone know what Mandrake and the like have been charging to ship one standard scale doll (like an 8" Bullmark) via DHL? Thanks in advance.
Standard sized figures are right on the line. If it’s a smaller standard sized figure (for me it was a Marusan Guiron) it’ll still just make the 11 dollar one.
I had 1 dhl package cost around $20 and 1 around $50. Both had 3 or 4 items that were standard size and smaller. Why they cost different amounts, I don't know. My only thought is they were from different Mandarake shops. I've heard others order and their shipping was also around $20
My last few packages from Mandarake each had four or five smaller figs in them and were all $15 or under to ship to NJ
Same here. Then I had to pay $45 bucks to get 1 figure and a small book shipped from Zenmarket. I asked ZM why they are so much more expensive then Manda for the same DHL express shipping and they said: “Mandarake is a completely different company. Their contract with DHL and its terms is probably different from Zenmarket as well. We suppose that companies that use DHL all have different shipping rates. Unfortunately, we cannot explain you more details. ” So there ya go! I would think that a company that deals only with shipping could have worked out a better contract, but what do I know?
Zenmarket’s DHL rates have gone up for me as well. My next package is going to weigh about 50 pounds and not looking forward to that quote. Zenmarket also does fedex which was sometimes less than EMS and DHL
Sheesh! This complicates things. Does anyone know how Buyee shipping stacks up against Zenmarket? Haven't made any JYA purchases yet, since Shopping Mall Japan went kaput, such a shame, Nick was the best
I just checked my acct on zenmarket. I used UPS on 5/21. It was 11,979 yen...weight was 9350g on 4/15 I used fedex. 2480g....5952 yen 3/16 fedex 20,3790g...8138 yen
I had two standard bullmarks sent about a week ago and it was a little less than $40 to ship to VA. The reason mandarake is cheaper is they have a bulk contract (setup before the pandemic). The smaller sellers are likely just paying retail, which im sure has gone up.
I have to say I am loving DHL with Buyee and Mandarake. Good rates and FAST. I requested shipping from Buyee on Sunday, and my package arrived today, right after my state was hammered by a storm. Unfortunately HLJ does not have a good arrangement with DHL. I currently have a 2,000 yen model kit sitting in their warehouse that will cost 3,500 yen to ship via DHL. Don't even ask about FedEx.
Good to know, thanks for the update (agonizing over an order in the Mandarake store at the moment). I was thinking the DHL rates would be super high for a Mandarake order.
It just cost me more to send a record priority mail in the USA then it cost me to ship a package from Manda via DHL... and it got to me in two days from the other side of the world.
Ok, just placed an order with Mandarake, and DHL was the only option to the USA, so camping by the mail box
Did this actually happen, Grace? Nick had a toy of mine I invested a lot of money for, and I reached out to him for months with no reply. I couldn't log in to my account to complete the payment for shipping it. Then I tried repeatedly via different avenues, and then to find someone else who had some form of contact. This was so long ago I have essentially written it off, but the loss still bites me quite a bit. I am sure my toy is long gone, resold through YJA or Mandarake, and along with it all of the funds I spent.
Alas, yes Stevie. I was trying to place a bid last year, and suddenly found the bidding page was gone. When I reached out to Nick he said they were being forced to close because of difficulty, but would keep communication open for a few months to finalize the close out and ship things out. I'm hoping it was an honest oversight. Just sent you the contact info I have on file for him (please check your PM box). Sincerely hoping that you'll be able to recover the goods or at least a refund. Please let us know how it goes!