PSA: Precautions when buying from Asia

[@AllegedOrder]

My first purchase from AliExpress was about US$25. Box arrived DESTROYED but the figure was fine. Second purchase was about $70. Box was damaged despite being well-packed but contents were better than fine. Super happy with that. Yesterday I went in for a $160 purchase. We’ll see how it goes 😂 No real point here, just sharing my experience too

[@BotBenderOrinj]

Glad to hear things worked out well. Ali has been a YMMV type of thing, depending on where you shop. Hoping everything works out great with your $160 purchase!

[@DJLuckeyLu]

I bought from AliExpress. Got my Legacy Beachcomber and Devcon from there. The prices were right and the boxes didn't come too badly (small crease on two of the corners at the top of the box for BC, but not Dev). Delivery also came quicker than it said it would, so not bad. I had a good experience, but I guess it's different for everyone.

[@BotBenderOrinj]

Nice nice. Im glad it worked out for you. Ive shopped on several platforms and Ali sellers are the ones who have done me dirty the most.

[@kinggrimlock-z4j]

Awesome

[@predatron4197]

I just bought the SS Primal KO OS from AliExpress today. We'll see how it goes. Its my first time using Ali and I'm using it because the company who made the Primal KO linked it on the TFW2005 thread.

[@autismicreviews]

@@predatron4197 primal is so worth it, let's hope your order is in perfect condition

[@BotBenderOrinj]

Fingers crossed. Hoping everything turns out fine!

[@predatron4197]

@@BotBenderOrinj just got it. It arrived super quickly. Definitely has issues: Apelinq blades are too small, not enough clearance when switching heads, forearms don't like to tab in and pop off when rotating. Overall, still a pretty good figure that feels solid and hefty. a lot of accessories and the axe is also the perfect fit for Yolopark ROTB Prime. I payed $25 USD and looks good next to the original SS Primal. Gonna turn it into Apelinq.

[@BotBenderOrinj]

@@predatron4197 oh nice! Glad yours didnt turn out to be a dude :)

[@kinggrimlock-z4j]

They look so cool

[@Elibanans]

Love your videos

[@BotBenderOrinj]

Thx bud!

[@FlamesofJagger]

Diecast... its a lost art

[@bryantoo6057]

Being Asian, I don't buy from Aliexpress. Abit overpriced. Instead I use Taobao. Much better but have to inform them about the packaging. 😂 Use google lens and translate to help with the listings and communication with seller. Also use the reputation rating as a gauge in terms of reliability with the seller.

[@BotBenderOrinj]

Oh wow nice. Are you located in Asia? I heard its difficult to get Tabao stuff shipped to the US.

[@bryantoo6057]

@@BotBenderOrinj yes I am, its technically somewhat of a goldmine for us collecting 3P and official stuff since the factories are located in Vietnam or China. Only slight issue is language barrier but that is overcomed by Google Lens. I believe as of May 2024, Taobao can ship to the States. Matter of getting your account setup via Alipay and learning to use Google Lens and Translate to assist in communication. Before buying, I recommend talking to the seller on shipping and stock availability. Sometimes they tend to just forget and leave the listing on. Cheer and good luck. Hope you'll find a different experience with Taobao. 🙏👍

[@BotBenderOrinj]

@@bryantoo6057 awesome, thx 4 the tip!

[@autismicreviews]

i bought the oversized ss optimus primal from aliexpress and thankfully my copy was issue free, i too bought him on an insane discount (3 pounds!!), the box was even in perfect condition as well. it might just be a lucky draw in terms of the quality of the item you receive. its still a bummer that these sellers can get away with selling items that seemed to be assembled in the factory by a dimwit

[@BotBenderOrinj]

Oh nice nice. Glad to hear that your experience was fine :) As for me, it's been a crapshoot lol.

[@chris24jc]

Wise words and good advice. Thanks for sharing your experiences! When you get things from Japan when they're not from a friend, how do you buy them? - I've had decent luck with aliexpress sometimes, but you're right about packages being bashed up frequently. And occasionally parts missing. : \

[@BotBenderOrinj]

Amazon JP, HLJ, Hobby Search, Ami Ami, and Anime Export are some of my go-tos when buying from Japan. Yeah, Ali is a crapshoot lol.

[@Renkencen]

Err I never had issue with Ebay. As long as the seller says "used for display purpose only and come in a smoke and pet free environment" it should be as good as new, just without the box? Also that SS Primal, isn't that the KO "Captain Gorilla"? It's in the same scale as the Ultimate version which I know the official SS isn't in the same height as that one. With Aliexpress, you should read the reviews but at the same time, be careful about it cos I know you get abit of a coin for leaving reviews so they may not be genuine.

[@BotBenderOrinj]

Yeah, it's Captain Gorilla and he's a tad shorter. That's the Ultimate version standing next to him wearing an upgrade.

[@messagenabottle2668]

You're not wrong about AliExpress. But I like them way more than blind boxes. It's still a gamble, but at least you know what you're taking a chance on. And even when something comes missing or broken... I don't upset because of the cheap price.

[@BotBenderOrinj]

Yeah, that's kinda of the tradeoff

[@shualad]

Hearing you talk about AliExpress after buying a CC Snarl has me worried now😫

[@BotBenderOrinj]

You should be fine :) As long as you didnt buy one of those deeply discounted ones... lol

[@shualad]

@@BotBenderOrinj I most certainly did not thank god haha

[@kinggrimlock-z4j]

When are you adding road pig to the trash titan just wondering

[@Haloween-housevampire]

is the ss primal a knock off or is it hasbro and takara tomy

[@Renkencen]

I am certain that is the KO version "Captain Gorilla". It scale to the same height as the Ultimate version but the official SS Primal is not that tall when compared to the Ultimate version.

[@BotBenderOrinj]

Yup yup, it's the KO Captain Gorilla. A bit smaller than the Ultimate version.

[@Haloween-housevampire]

@@BotBenderOrinj Why did you get the knockoff rather than the official

[@Captainhexpaine]

I've nv had any of these issues and I've been buying from aliexpress for 10 years now

[@BotBenderOrinj]

Glad to hear that! I dont wish anyone to have a bad experience.