I use them all the time.  They are reliable, and they have this system called Private Warehouse, where you can hold bought items for up to 2 months.  What this does is it allows you to mix and match stuff till you get the best shipping rate.  It works well once you get the hang of it.  Shipment to the US via SAL is usually 11 to 14 days.

Yep.  “Surface Air Lift” = low priority air mail.

Same here, I use them all the time and absolutely love their service. Their prices are fantastic, especially for the Japanese manufacturers like Tamiya & Hasegawa. Shipping always makes its way to me in Texas in about 7 working days. As far as shipping costs go, they don't seem to be any more expensive than domestic retailers here in the states.

I've used them several times, and like G and Chad, my experiences have always been first rate. I agree that shipping rates are fair, and in the case of every order of mine, after shipping cost the total price has still been far lower than anywhere else.

I've recieved two larger scale vehicle models on two separate occasions from them. Due to the bulk and the international shipping, I expected some minor box damage on both, yet both arrived absolutely pristine.

I hadn't noticed the SAL thing G mentioned, I'm going to check it out. Thanks, G.

I'm not sure I have always received stuff quite as fast as G reported. He is closer to Japan than us on the mainland. I can't remember how long things take to arrive, but I'm never in a hurry with them, I plan for several weeks, and the packages always seem to come early and surprise me.

Heck, I almost feel like ordering something from them now.

Greg,

I think SAL goes to the ConUS first, then backtracks to Hawaii.  From others’ comments, it seems people on the mainland get their shipments in about the same time.

Back in the day, I used to consolidate orders for friends, since at the time the biger the order, the cheaper the postage.  Man, I used to get some massive boxes!  Not so anymore.  I try to use SAL and the Private Warehouse to keep the box size and cost to a minimum.

I have used them a couple of times with no complaints.

Just note that not everything is in stock. I didn't notice this first time bt that was my fault for not checking properly.

Here's an excellent example of shipping. They shipped my most recent order on Monday the 27th and it is scheduled to arrive today by USPS. The shipping cost came down to roughly $9.5 US dollars per item for a total of four items. Not bad at all for 6 day international shipping to Texas. The items were Tamiya so they were much cheaper than I could acquire them here in the states. 

I've bought a few items from them, and have not had an issue at all. 

I use them.  Solid organization.  

Real G

Greg, I think SAL goes to the ConUS first, then backtracks to Hawaii. From others’ comments, it seems people on the mainland get their shipments in about the same time.

Good info, thanks for that feedback, G.

Real G

Back in the day, I used to consolidate orders for friends, since at the time the biger the order, the cheaper the postage. Man, I used to get some massive boxes! Not so anymore. I try to use SAL and the Private Warehouse to keep the box size and cost to a minimum.

I'm going to try to remember to try the SAL thing next time around.

On the comment above about inventory, this thread prompted me to check on some stuff that interests me, their inventory seems a bit off right now for some reason.

All the time, Scott Hards is an American living in Japan and has a pretty good business. Many of the sci-fi and Japanese exclusive kits are gotten there cheaply. I bought many Fine Molds star wars kits there much cheaper than getting them in the US.

Been using them for years. The service is top-notch and the prices are just as good as anyones.

And they can get weird off-the-wall stuff no-one else can.

Yet another long time customer here. Hobby Link is a top notch site to use. Like others have stated, they provide excellent service and great products.

Bought from them several times. Great service and reasonably quick delivery to Australia. On one occasion, they shipped an incorrect kit. When I emailed them and asked how to return the incorrect kit, they said don't worry about it, keep it. Can't complain about that.. 

Rob Gronovius

All the time, Scott Hards is an American living in Japan and has a pretty good business. Many of the sci-fi and Japanese exclusive kits are gotten there cheaply. I bought many Fine Molds star wars kits there much cheaper than getting them in the US.

 

I listened to a podcast interview of the guy that started the company.  It sounds like he has a genuine passion for the industry.  They offer several car models I've had a difficult time finding from US sources.  I will buy from him.

T e d

Ted4321

 

 

Rob Gronovius

All the time, Scott Hards is an American living in Japan and has a pretty good business. Many of the sci-fi and Japanese exclusive kits are gotten there cheaply. I bought many Fine Molds star wars kits there much cheaper than getting them in the US.

 

 

 

 

I listened to a podcast interview of the guy that started the company.  It sounds like he has a genuine passion for the industry.  They offer several car models I've had a difficult time finding from US sources.  I will buy from him.

T e d

 

Yup I've used them many times, very efficient!

I generally use Hobby search/1999/co/jp for ordering kits. I found Hobby search would mark boxes a gift which kept customs off my back (I don't mind customs fees, I mind the £7 fee for being charged customs). Try not to order huge things unless you're willing to pay the customs fees, smaller SAL packages will slip through fine but larger packages will be hit, varies by country obviously.

I did have 1 issue with Hobby Japan where they said a kit was in stock at a great price and then couldn't find it at all after I had ordered. They gave me a big discount voucher as an apology (bigger than the kit was worth). And that was maybe 1 out of 20 orders I had an issue with.

If you're looking for single kits or speciality kits try https://order.mandarake.co.jp/order/?lang=en as well. It's sort of an amazon for Japanese hobby shops. I've found some amazing deals. I ordered a kit which was "damaged box". It came perfect except for a corner not being perfectly sharp. 50% off for a brand new kit I would have bought full price off the shelf was a great deal. Japan is insane with what they considered damaged and it lets you get some sweet deals the retailers (HLJ/Hobby search) can't compare with.

I've only used Hobby Search a few times but was very happy with their service. 

Armor_Aficionado

Hey all, I was checking out Hobby Link Japan's website for the first time, and it looks like they've got some really good deals.  But I was wondering what those of you who have done business with them thought: are they reputable?  Shipping costs reasonable?  Shipments arrive in a timely manner, securely packaged, all ordered items correct, etc.?  Let me know what you think.  Thanks! 

I'm a regular customer.  I buy new Maschinen Krieger kits and figures through HLJ.  I don't buy supplies from them, that I can get here, though.

Prices are reasonable, and shipping isn't too bad.  I take surface shipping, and generally, I get my shipments within 3 to 4 weeks.  I've had only one order that took longer than that, but that doesn't bother me.

Things are very securely packaged.  Usually, small boxes are mounted on a piece of corrugated stock and shrink-wrapped in place, then placed in a larger box.  That keeps them pretty much immobile during shipping.

I have used their Private Warehouse feature to pre-order things and then combine them for shipping, but ordering on the fly is usually good enough.

Ted4321

They offer several car models I've had a difficult time finding from US sources.

Just wanted to say that I've had the same experience.