Master Replicas / Corgi toys question.

[Howard]

Hi all.

I'm a MR CS member, and have recently ordered a couple of their products, namely the EE Han ANH blaster and the LE SS Enterprise.
Now, over here in the U.K. we have the large retail outlet for such collectables, Forbidden Planet.
A couple of weeks ago I found it's more expensive for me to buy the Enterprise from Forbidden Planet by $180 (around 90 quid) even with the SS $100 discount applied, so I've cancelled my order with MR and submitted an order with Forbidden Planet.
With U.K. import tax being what it is, I'm sure to pay more than $180 in import tax, handling fees by Royal Mail and other associated charges placed upon this item - plus I haven't the worry of having to send it back to the U.S. IF by any chance it has damage or QC issues.
I requested the $100 SS discount code which I had used against the Enterprise to be applied to my order for the SS Falcon, but I see that hasn't been carried out yet by the folks at MR customer services.

Today I received the Forbidden Planet catalogue and find low and behold the EE Han ANH blaster for $16 cheaper than MR's price. Again - I'm going to cancel my order with MR and save on import taxes and the associated problems mentioned above.
Okay - shipping's a huge $215 to the U.K. for this item, but this situation leads me to a couple of questions:

Now MR is part of the Corgi group, and Corgi have a U.K. distributor, will we see future MR pieces available directly from 'them' (MR / Corgi) where our coupons can be applied?
If these pieces are not going to be available from a U.K. or european MR / Corgi 'hub' (for want of a better term) can MR arrange a business deal with a retailer such as Forbidden Planet, where our coupons can make a difference against the purchase prices CS members are entitled to, but are not receiving?
I realise MR has little or no control over shipping charges to the U.K. and has strived to get a better deal for its non-U.S. customors, but as it stands, my CS coupons are worthless.

Thanks for reading.

Howard.

 

[Montagar]

<div class='quotetop'>(Howard @ Oct 20 2006, 07:10 AM) [snapback]1341501[/snapback]</div>

I found it's more expensive for me to buy the Enterprise from Forbidden Planet by $180 (around 90 quid) even with the SS $100 discount applied...
[/b]

Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.

Anyway, what I find interesting is that the EE Han Blaster is not available for sale by resellers and is a CS exclusive directly from MR. So how is Forbidden Planet selling this item at all?

 

[MRCUSTOMERCARE]

I can answer that. We always state with our CS exclusives that we dedicate 250 of them be sold to some of our international distributors so people in the UK and Asia can get a hold of them.

<div class='quotetop'>(Montagar @ Oct 21 2006, 12:27 AM) [snapback]1341919[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>(Howard @ Oct 20 2006, 07:10 AM) [snapback]1341501[/snapback]

I found it's more expensive for me to buy the Enterprise from Forbidden Planet by $180 (around 90 quid) even with the SS $100 discount applied...
[/b]

Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.

Anyway, what I find interesting is that the EE Han Blaster is not available for sale by resellers and is a CS exclusive directly from MR. So how is Forbidden Planet selling this item at all?
[/b][/quote]

 

[Montagar]

<div class='quotetop'>(MRCUSTOMERCARE @ Oct 20 2006, 10:18 PM) [snapback]1342017[/snapback]</div>

I can answer that. We always state with our CS exclusives that we dedicate 250 of them be sold to some of our international distributors so people in the UK and Asia can get a hold of them.

<div class='quotetop'>(Montagar @ Oct 21 2006, 12:27 AM) [snapback]1341919[/snapback]

<div class='quotetop'>(Howard @ Oct 20 2006, 07:10 AM) [snapback]1341501[/snapback]

I found it's more expensive for me to buy the Enterprise from Forbidden Planet by $180 (around 90 quid) even with the SS $100 discount applied...
[/b]

Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.

Anyway, what I find interesting is that the EE Han Blaster is not available for sale by resellers and is a CS exclusive directly from MR. So how is Forbidden Planet selling this item at all?
[/b][/quote]
[/b][/quote]
Thank you for the clarification. :thumbsup

 

[Howard]

<div class='quotetop'>(MRCUSTOMERCARE @ Oct 20 2006, 10:18 PM) [snapback]1342017[/snapback]</div>

I can answer that.
[/b]

Thanks.

Can you answer my other points?

I've never seen it stated that CS exclusives would be available through outlets such as Forbidden Planet.

Are you saying you allocate an amount from the remaining stock after CS member's have placed their orders, and before going on general sale to the public, or do you allocate an amount of stock to overseas distributors before CS members can order?

Howard.

 

[Howard]

Bump for answers.

 

[Howard]

<div class='quotetop'>(Howard @ Oct 21 2006, 08:14 PM) [snapback]1342342[/snapback]</div>

Bump for answers.
[/b]

 

[MikeyX]

I was also surprised to the see the Han EE at that price in the FP brochure.

Maybe this Corgi/MR thing will help us UK collectors for a change

 

[Rodann]

Hey Montagar, nice Gene Wilder quote. :lol


I'm actually hoping the MR/Corgi merger will generate some additional Batman material. Namely, "studio scale" (or any model-quality scale) Batmobiles made by MR. I'm a Batmobile freak, and I love Corgi. This is the only thing that might change my mind about MR.

 

[Montagar]

<div class='quotetop'>(Rodann @ Oct 22 2006, 07:05 PM) [snapback]1342986[/snapback]</div>

Hey Montagar, nice Gene Wilder quote. :lol[/b]

I was wondering if anyone would catch that, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to use it.

<div class='quotetop'></div>

Namely, "studio scale" (or any model-quality scale) Batmobiles made by MR.[/b]

A 32" or so Batmobile would be very cool.

 

[Rodann]

Yes it WOULD. :love


Oh man, it would.


....And best episode of Will and Grace ever. "You are STEIN.....You are Franken STEIN." :lol

 

[Howard]

Update for U.K. members regards shipping from Forbidden Planet.

Shipping for the Enterprise is free.
Han EE is a whopping £2.50.



Howard.

 

[Howard]

Okay, I know there's a lot of MR threads here at the moment, and the RPF although the BEST research and discussion thread concerning replica props on the net, is not the only site and you're busy all over the place -answering questions concerning your 2007 line, I just need a few answers.
Please, Amy / Barry anyone. :cry

1) Now MR is part of the Corgi group, and Corgi have a U.K. distributor, will we see future MR pieces available directly from 'them' (MR / Corgi U.K. European distributor) where our coupons can be applied, and we can save on shipping from the U.S.?

2) If these pieces are not going to be available from a U.K. or European MR / Corgi 'hub' (for want of a better term) will MR arrange a business deal with a retailer such as Forbidden Planet, where our coupons can make a difference against the purchase prices non-U.S. CS members are entitled to, but are not receiving?

3) You say: 'We always state with our CS exclusives that we dedicate 250 of them be sold to some of our international distributors so people in the UK and Asia can get a hold of them.'
What people?
Non CS members?
Surely CS members are paying via their membership for the privilege of being able to obtain these items?
Are you saying when the 'Sold out' tab appears, they're actually not 'Sold out' it's just that 250 pieces have been allocated to your distributors overseas?
Are you saying you allocate an amount from the remaining stock after CS member's have placed their orders, and before going on general sale to the public - and it just so happens to be 250 items. Or do you allocate an amount of stock to overseas distributors before CS members can order?
I can't honestly believe you'd sell 250 pieces at wholesale to an overseas distributor when you can just as easily sell on your site?

If you're dedicating 250 pieces of CS 'Exclusives' to international distributors, then your site claim:
'The chance to purchase Collectors Society Exclusives - including the Elite Edition replicas, which are ONLY available to members of the Collectors Society. is false to say the least.

I realise MR has little or no control over shipping charges to the U.K. and has strived to get a better deal for its non-U.S. customers, but as it stands, my CS coupons are worthless as your site prices combined with your shipping charges ($283.36 for the SS Enterprise, $214.93 for the Han EE) to the U.K. are not cost effective.


<div class='quotetop'>(Howard @ Oct 23 2006, 02:09 PM) [snapback]1343287[/snapback]</div>

Update for U.K. members regards shipping from Forbidden Planet.

Shipping for the Enterprise is free. Although $180 more expensive than buying directly from MR with the $100 CS coupon applied.
Shipping for the Han EE is a whopping £2.50. and $14 cheaper than buying directly from MR.

[/b]

I'll be a bumping this thread...
Thanks in advance.

Howard.

 

[Chewcy]

the key thing is MR already have a UK distributor, but the issue is that they always get the stuff way after people in the US and have no idea about items when you ask them.

the best part though as a MR dealer, if you buy them from the uk distributor, it is more expensive than buying as a customer from FP, go figure, I believe that MR should give us european folk more options when buying, and atleast a price comparable to the US price

Paul