PARTS & SUPPORT

 

*Notification of temporary suspension of parts ordering service*

Several weeks before the March 11 earthquake hit, our parts department was dismantled, and is currently in the process of being reconstructed. This was significantly delayed by the earthquake, and we really can't even hazard a guess as to when our parts department will be running again.

Rather than accept a parts order and keep you waiting, we've come to the realization that it would be best to temporarily stop accepting parts orders, so that you can feel free to seek other sources for the parts you need. (We're sorry, but we don't know of other sources to recommend.)

As soon as our parts department is operational again, redesigned to be better than ever, we will again accept orders. If you still need parts at that time, you're certainly welcome to place an order for them with us.

Until then, we ask that you please hold any questions you may have about our parts department or about ordering parts with us. The way our parts orders will be handled could change between what we'd say now and what it may turn out to be.

Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience to you. Thanks so much for your understanding, and for your business with us!

 

Here is the original parts page, for customer reference:

Can I order parts for a model kit or toy? How do I do that?

HobbyLink Japan is happy to get Japanese model or toy parts for customers, but we need you to understand a few points, first:

  • We cannot confirm the price of the parts for your prior to your order. There are literally millions of different parts in existence and it's impossible for us to catalog this data, or take the time to check with the manufacturer and report back to you before you place an order. Just assume that the part can cost anywhere between 10-80% of the cost of the original kit (unless it's a very major part, like the body of a car kit, and then it can cost even more) and be prepared to pay that much (please note that some Bandai parts can be considerably higher). Kits from major manufacturers have a parts list on the last page of the instruction sheet that shows the prices of the runners and other parts (though this is usually in Japanese only), but if you study it for a few moments, you can probably figure out how much what you need will cost.
  • Parts orders can take time. Manufacturers frown on us placing orders for just one or two parts. In addition, we earn no profit from parts orders (handling costs far exceed the income from the markup), so we need to handle them as efficiently as possible. As such, we let parts orders from customers "pile up" for a couple of weeks or so and them order them in batches. And depending on the parts, it can then take a few weeks for them to actually arrive from the manufacturer. So you need to be prepared to wait as long as two or three months to get your part (it's usually quicker, but it may take this long).
  • You must pay by credit card or PayPal billing agreement and have your card number or agreement on file BEFORE we order for you. As parts are special orders that cannot be sold at large we must be certain we can secure payment for the parts before we order them.
  • For the same reason,we ask you NOT to look for the parts from other sources until we have made it clear to you whether we can help you or not.
  • For the same reason again, cancelations of confirmed parts orders are not allowed. 

If those conditions are acceptable to you, here's how to place your parts order:

Send an e-mail to parts@hlj.com that states exactly:

  1. Your full name (and customer ID if you know it)
  2. Your shipping address (not needed if you have ordered from HLJ in the past)
  3. The exact manufacturer, scale, model number and name of the kit(s) or toy(s) you need parts for.
  4. The name of the part(s) you need. Note: Plastic parts must be ordered in complete runners only. You cannot order, for example, just a landing gear strut, or hip joint. You must buy all the runners of parts that contain what you need. Most Japanese kits have a letter name (A, B, C, etc.) on each runner of parts. Give us the letter of the parts runner you need. If it's non-plastic parts or large parts that don't come on their own runner (e.g. "decals," "rubber tires," "body") then just a description will do.

If you haven't sent us your credit card information previously, or don't have a PayPal billing agreement, do so now by using the Account Maintenance System on our web site, or by sending a fax +81-283-27-2352, or by sending regular mail to:

HobbyLink Japan
Kurohakama-cho 162-1
Sano, Tochigi 327-0813 JAPAN

 

That's all!  We'll send you a shipping notice when the parts are shipped to you.