Checking up on Play Asia‘s figure listings just now it seems that Ignis the White is currently in stock! This may be the best opportunity for those who missed her via preorder to pick her up at a reasonable price (and support HD in the process). Edit: it seems that Cattleya is up for preorder as well, for fans of the more bustily endowed persuasion. (no more)
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Let me just say I hate you sssooo much right now Shingo. You got me when I’m dead tired and easily tricked into ordering things I shouldn’t XD
Play-asia seems to sell a lot more expensive than Hobby Search, and speaking right now, HS has the pre-order for the 2nd arrival as of yesterday http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10058755 just to let you guys know if you’re looking for cheaper alternative.
>>moyism
Haha, orz. No deception intended. Though I’ll be watching for your emaciated wallet to jump me from a dark alley…
>>Cloudkun
Thanks for the tip! Play Asia is the best deal out there as far as shops that offer affiliate programs, but Hobby Search definitely has better prices over all. I’m glad the choice exists; the way I see it those on a budget have the less expensive option, and those with the means and the interest in doing so can pay a bit more to help HD stay afloat.
I’ve found myself in the unenviable position of having to feed myself from affiliate proceeds this month, but will try to keep the whoring from getting too bad. As a last resort I hear that PVC is edible…
Hey Shingo, my bad for indirectly advertising other sites, I know this is bad for your affliation program but I just couldn’t help to buy from Play-asia for their pvcs but I do buy games from there though.. just wondering, why don’t you ask HS to be part of your affiliate programs? Is it that complicated to get one to sponsor you guys?
>>Cloudkun
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate it when you (or anyone else) points out cheaper alternatives. In all fairness I should make more of an effort to do so as well, though it’s in my vested interest to sell through affiliates I also want to provide the best information possible regardless of whether it brings benefit to the site or not. This is why I list as many alternative purchasing options in figure reviews as I can, for example.
The problem is that places that sell at or below Japanese retail price (such as Hobby Search and Hobby Link Japan) simply can’t afford to implement the sort of affiliate program that J-List and Play Asia use – they don’t generate enough revenue per sale for it to be commercially viable.
There may be other advertising options open, but with Hobby Search already advertising at places like Akiba Blog I doubt they’d be interested in dealing with small fry like HD.
I’m trying to pursue a middle course when it comes to advertising and affiliates that leaves me in control of what gets shown, so that I can present what I see as a fair shake to HD readers and ensure that they aren’t being sold illegal pirate bootleg items, etc. I also don’t want to crowd out legitimate content with ugly eyesore advertisements.
However these days I’m spending so much time on the site that if I don’t see some return on the time invested I don’t know if I’ll be able to afford to continue at this rate. It’s a labor of love when it comes down to it, but how much time I can spend on the site is becoming more contingent on how much it can support itself (in terms of future figure purchases and etc).
My philosophy is that if people have a few extra bucks laying around I’d happy if they’d support the site by buying through an affiliate; if not, I’d be equally happy if they buy through a cheaper alternative. My goal is to help people get in touch with cool stuff, and whether I get a cut out of the deal is ultimately immaterial.
Yeah…I will be dropping some cash tp Play-Asia when some orders go through.
I’d send you a few extra dollars if you had a support link like Paypal accounts or something, but Play-Asia’s preorder status is not viable for me…
>>Work_Ethic
I appreciate it a lot, believe me. I know there are other options out there and I’m thankful that you choose to buy through HD affiliate links.
>>Diebi Manabu
I was surprised and troubled to read that Play Asia was asking for money up front for the Didii preorder. I’m guessing that might be because it’s a special situation where they have to order each item individually from Hobby Japan themselves, instead of through the standard distribution system; I don’t believe that restriction applies to all of their preorders (I’d appreciate it if someone would correct me if I’m wrong on this).
There are two reasons why there’s no Paypal support link here. One is that HD contains adult content, which may be in violation of Paypal’s terms of service. The other (far more important) reason is that I don’t feel I can responsibly ask for anyone to give money without providing something in return.
I think affiliate programs are an acceptable compromise in which readers get something they actually want and have the opportunity to support the site in the process, if they so wish, without my resorting to soliciting handouts and without compromising the integrity of the site with garish advertisements.
If any other suitable methods are out there I’d be happy to look into them, and I’d love to prove that one could make a living doing this sort of thing without selling ones’ soul to the demons of consumer whoredom entirely, but as I’ve said before this is ultimately something I’m not doing out of any profit motive, and there are certain lines that I refuse to cross as matters of principle regardless of whether they’d make a quick buck.
You’ve won me over! My next fig will be over the affiliate system.
Thanks! Just purchased and now its out of stock.
I have pre ordered somewhere else but god only knows when they will receive stock.
>>lostdog
Awesome! *high fives*
>>Jon
Glad to hear you made the cutoff, I was guessing she’d be gone pretty darn fast.
Shingo, heheh yes watch your back man!
Cloudkun, I think in this particular case I don’t personally see too much of a difference in price even after factoring in exchange rates. Like maybe a $10-20USD difference if they ordered through HS? Not that I’m not knocking HS or anything (my soul belongs to them as well as to HLJ) but I thought I’d put my 2 cents in. LOL actually in reality, I’m just trying to rationalize pulling the trigger myself ^^;;
BTW I will give Play-Asia some credit; less than 12 hours after ordering and they’ve already shipped Ignis! That’s pretty frickin’ quick!
>>Shingo
Don’t be too hard on yourself if you decide to stop your hobby of love and concentrate on a career. I know I did. So did lots of websites that started out as hobby fan sites. We have to feed ourselves and our families.
At least you don’t ban us or censor out our postings if we mentioned non-affiliated webshops and prices on your site. I know of a SG hobby site that does so. It’s the chief reason I no longer visit that website or support SG shops.
I will try out play-asia and J-list on my new orders. Hopefully, they have a practice of not taking more orders than they can get stocks from the supplier. I especially dislike shops that promise to ship but in the end fail to deliver. :)
It’s fine Shingo! I’ll be sure to check out in-stock stuff on their site, but as for preorders, I can’t help you there…