HobbyLink Japan Reviews

Great service, easy to use with multiple shipping options to try and get a better one (also occasionally has offers/discounts to lower shipping, worth keeping an eye out), received my items in perfect condition. Very happy.

friendly and helpful customer service and very fast shipping definitely buying from here again

If they package it terribly, with little protection and the figure box gets mangled, they will not accept refunds/returns/replacements or anything. Terrible for people that want a figure box and not just the figure (though even if figure is damaged, far from guarantee it will be replaced when you look at their text). In terms of proving damage, they ridiculously expect you to drag delivery person in to record them witnessing you opening package to prove it arrived damaged. Even if you are willing to, there is no way to know this until you reach out to them to let them know it arrived damaged to begin with. Here is the exact phrasing:

' receive a damaged box from your mail carrier in person, if possible, take a photo of your mail carrier or delivery agent (driver) with the package. Ask your mail carrier to witness your opening the box, and get the carrier's name. Consult with the carrier at the time you receive the package to make sure they take note that the package was damaged before it was delivered.

Then, please take photos of the shipping box before opening it. Next, open your box and carefully inspect your merchandise. If only your product packaging has been damaged (such as a crushed corner or bent lid) and the actual product is undamaged, we will unfortunately not be able to offer compensation. HobbyLink Japan is unable to guarantee mint-condition product packaging on arrival.

If the actual product has been damaged, please take detailed photos of the damage and send them to us within 10 days of receiving the package. At our discretion, we may be able to accept a return of the merchandise, offer compensation, or replace the item. Please see Section 7 of our Terms and Conditions for details.'

Overall, for most people that order figures and want to box as well, rather than throwing away the box, never order from here.

Not the most recent, but overall experience I had with Hobby Link is stellar to say the least.

Fantastic prices and selection of anything and everything. Sure, last 2+ years were difficult for everyone, shipping prices jumped, and some shipping options became unavailable to certain regions, but that's primarily due to Japan Post.

Every single order I had with them was fulfilled in timely manner and with utmost care with packaging. Every item arrived in pristine condition, no damages or missing parts.

Private warehouse is one of the best features HobbyLink has to offer, and allows you to combine your orders however you like. And currently, one of the few online store in Japan where overseas customer can buy gunpla model kits.

I've neve had any issues with them, and I hope it will continue to be like that. 11/10

Had an email from this company saying my Microsoft acc will be shut down.
Scammers DONT GIVE ANY DETAILS TO THIS COMPANY

Bought 3 x Hasegawa kits for less than half the price you'd pay in the UK and even with shipping it still works out as a bargain, especially as two of the kits aren't readily available in the UK. Models arrived very well packed and less than a week after the order was placed. Ordered once before from HLJ and had the same hassle free experience. Will definitely use again.

Their prices are lower than many other sites. The price does go up after shipping, but HLJ allows you to see how much shipping will be before you place an order.
They shipped my items quickly despite my order being placed during the holiday season.

They are scammers. They never refund anything, they never notify you about any payment problem, but they charge you for the shipping cost and they go as far as claiming that your account was banned because you started a payment reclamation. Their replies are rude and unprofessional and to put it simply, they are also racist (replies stopped coming in after I confirmed I was from Mexico and they are unreachable now, they don't answer emails nor messages and still waiting for either a refund or an explanation of what happened)

Quick turnaround. Often have best prices globally. Don't be put off by slightly odd "warehouse" system for some orders. It works just fine. Have ordered 3 or 4 times with no problems. Excellent shipping costs to Australia.

Simple put try to buy some thing, at decent price. Wouldn’t let me pay.
12 hrs took me to update my payment.

Then guess what ?

Price went up, how convenient- will not be using them and definitely don’t recommend

For over twenty years Hobby Link Japan has been my go to source for Tamiya and Hasegawa kits. ALWAYS great packing and fast shipping. No complaints from me. Customer service has always answered any questions I have had promptly. The private warehouse system is a great addition, allowing you to add products to your "stash" and check shipping options to get the most value for your package.

Used to shop here often, as the shipping prices to the US used to be reasonable.

The past year to two though they have hit an absolutely insane price level.

Even ordering a single tiny red LED that does not even weigh 10g and is super small costs $27 to $45 depending on what method you use to ship it. If you actually add something like a single figure to your order then you are looking at $40 for 4 month freight shipping, or up to $72 for other methods. Perhaps that is just the global situation right now, but it makes actually ordering from here no longer a good choice.

2023 update:

Thanks for updating the interface and for adding back the sort by date option fixed my review.


Good site

If I had relied too heavily on the reviews here I would have missed out on getting my items at a decent price.

Placed my order on 20th June, and they arrived today. Packaging was great, box was in a very good condition (ie not battered about in transit).

Will certainly use again in the future.

Shipping prices are insane and they only offer express from dhl and fedex or a cheap 6 month boat ride around the world. What is even worst is you pay for 1-3 day delivery and it take the standard 2 weeks. Why can't they offer the standard shipping rates. I think HLJ is overcharging and pocketing the difference and why only these 2 shipping companies??? The more I think about it the less I want to buy from them. Sure they models are a little cheaper but when you consider the exchange rate fee which is way over the top plus the insane shipping price it just be cheaper to buy locally. Only issue with my local shop is it takes anywhere between 6 months to a year for the new stuff to arrive on their shelf's. But I am going to support them then look after a foreign shop that don't care to look after their customers. That not including the other issues I have with hlj there private warehouse is a joke they take money when ever an item comes in but not give you any notice when this will happen then threaten to close your account if you don't pay straight away. Then you have the flip side where they just delete stuff without telling you then you find that when you browse their website you find the thing you ordered but its now at a higher price. I have got items still in there that are pushing 2 years and still not eta when they get it in. Or and don't buy food apparently dhl can't ship that which is bullsh*t since I bought a Japanese candy/noodle bento box and dhl shipped it just fine. They whole business model is terrible.