HobbyLink Japan Reviews

Have ordered from multiple Japanese sellers and these are simply the worst in terms of delivery time and cost. Plaza Japan offers air freight shipping for the same cost HLJ charge for surface shipping, while SaQra Mart offers free air freight shipping on orders over $49, both of these turn up within a week of placing the order.
Meanwhile, I ordered a Gunpla kit 2 months ago from HLJ, paid the same amount on surface shipping that the model cost and I’m still waiting for it to turn up. Their personal warehouse feature and bulk shipping program seem useless too, as it ended up costing the same amount to ship 2 items together as it would have done as individual orders ($35 shipping for one, $25 for another or $60 to send them both in the same parcel).
What’s worse is it also states on their website that if you choose surface shipping then you should expect the parcel to turn up looking battered, so not only do they work out more expensive, they’re much slower and I’m expecting it to turn up knackered.
The only reason I used them was because they had a particular Gunpla in stock that was sold out everywhere else, but I’ll probably be trying to avoid these guys in the future.

I am very happy with HobbyLink Japan. I ordered 4 items from them and I received all 4 in perfect condition and faster then expected. I would not hesitate to order from them again. THANK YOU!

Used to be one of my favourite model kit shops before changes were made to japanese shipping costs. SAL used to be reasonable and affordable...but nowadays it's too expensive, and unless you order in bulk its not interesting. Your cheapest alternative is to ship your order with surface delivery, but the delivery times are ridiculously long (my last order was shipped in february...im writing this in may of the same year and I still haven't got it, I'm starting to think the order got lost on the way). Paying anything between 30 and 50 dollars to ship a 40 dollar kit just isn't worth it. Granted, this is not HLJ's fault, but as far as im concerned, business with them is over. Looks like we're back in the 90's, when ordering stuff from japan cost a fortune in shipping. As a cherry on the cake, their website lags like all hell and is generally terrible. Shame.

Excellent service.
But for choice of courier service I hope that " Hobby Link Japan" should listen to me.I found Purator sevice to Canada in the last several months has been totally irresponsible. I cannot reach out to Japan Hobby Link for this complain.

Great seller/website if you’re looking for any new or older Japanese collectibles - figures, games, etc.
Haven’t had any issues with them communication wise or with their shipping - always ships out fast (1-3 days) & their prices are good. Also, their pre-order system is good as well. They send you reminders via email of your pre-order list & you don’t have to pay for them until they arrive at the warehouse & they’re ready to ship out to you.
Very good shop, I recommend it.

They're TOTALLY unable to put an item description so customs doesn't stop the packages.

Have been a HLJ customer,( personal and business) for over 15yrs. The last 2yrs, they have been borderline pathetic on a good day.
Lot of true reviews here. Today is the last straw. I quit HLJ.
I can pinpoint when they lost it. As soon as the new site came up, everything else slid down, and has been doing so ever since. Possibly due to a change in command, staff, or ownership? ..the "new"site ( that has never worked, and they just say 'be patient'.. 2-4yrs guys? Patient enough?, or are you just doing nothing about it?) is an abomination at best. Just useless, poor functionality, not intuitive, excuse for a website and e-commerce solution.
WHENEVER, you have a problem with ANYTHING, product, shipping, or customer related, the customer service teams from the past have disappeared. The teams today will not help. At all. They will blame the customer, not give out the smallest of refunds for their own mistakes, I have had coupon codes that don't work due to site malfunction, and they just ignore it and say their hands are tied. They have lost pre orders after I paid and just said, "buy something else", and they now totally stonewall the customers with repetitive, weak, email deflection replies.
Shipping is also atrocious, and a lie. Time to arrive?, I don't care.. but I often pay more than the item I have shipped. !!?? Seriously?
I USED to have nothing but good things to say about HLJ. Huge fanboy... in 2011..
Those days are sadly gone..
HLJ USED to be a stand up solid company... Now, I struggle to find much good in HLJ at all. Truly.
HLJs prices are no longer competitive at all either when you factor in shipping...
So I ask..
When I can go to an overpriced local store, find literally the same product, and take it home for the same price as HLJ costs to my door, but instead, with GOOD customer service.. why go to HLJ at all anymore?
Why HLJ?
Why don't you address the problems and people telling you about them? Hmmm. Why does HLJ not allow Google reviews? I'll tell you why folks. HLJ 2021. Neo Apathy. Neo $.
They don't care about us

CONS:
Of all JP stores, proxy, and forwarding services I used, HLJ was the only one that ever gave me rage with their packing. From some packages I received, one looked as if the staff didn't even try and just put it in the biggest box possible, while in the other packages, the item was bent. It's not a hard item, yet I never saw other JP stores/proxy/forwarding services did that to my items. Slooow website. Have to relogin so often. No manual payment for pre-order available. Pre-order closed so fast.

PROS:
Private warehouse system where we can combine item released in different months is something that other similar stores don't have and it really helped drag the rating up. Cancellation with no hassle, whenever buyer wants.

The delivery is too fast and also item in safe. HobbyLink Japan is truly recommended.

HLJ sent me a model kit with a missing part. Customer service said they obtained the replacement part, but could not ship it due to Covid. Yet, I can still receive orders from them, and their website indicates "now shipping worldwide" 3 months later, still not shipping my replacement part.

Great customer service, would recommend to anyone. A lot of negative reviews here seem to be basing their experiences on factors outside HLJs control. Import charges are decided by your governments. Shipping charges by third parties. The one and only complaint I'd have is that items stored in your private warehouse for over a certain amount of time are only refunded at 85% rather than 100%. I'm sure there's a good reason for it, but it escapes me. Probably a matter of instant demand versus later demand. Never had an issue with preorders. Never had an issue with their staff. Prices are reasonable and they've been incredibly helpful during the pandemic, keeping hold of items long beyond the usual auto shipping dates. Can't recommend enough.

Hobby Link Japan is one of several companies in Japan that I buy toys and models from. While their selection of goods is often smaller than that of their competitors, they usually stock items that I’m looking for and occasionally have goods that I haven’t found elsewhere. Also, they tend to get items in stock that are sold out/unavailable from other sellers.
While Japan Post SAL and EMS shipping is currently unavailable to the US, I like that they offer both DHL and FedEx shipping options, whereas their competitors offer only one of these shipping options. Their shipping prices usually are lower as well, and they ship out packages more quickly too. I also like their private warehouse option, which allows me to ship several preordered items that arrive in stock at different times over a 60 day period, allowing me to save on shipping costs by compiling several orders into one. Their competitors’ terms are not as flexible.
Because of this, HLJ has become my first choice for ordering toys and models from Japan. I only go to the other companies if HLJ does not stock an item I’m looking for.