Micro Ace East I-E Restock

[KenS]

HS just listed Micro Ace's E491 "East I-E" as restocked. I ordered one, and now it's showing "waiting list mail" rather than the "cart" button.

 

I wonder if  I got my order in quickly enough?  I received the confirmation email, but that's automated, and I've had them say "stock out" after that once or twice.

 

Waiting is going to be agonizing.    :icon_bounce:

 

I hadn't seen any advance announcement that Micro Ace was re-doing this set.  Do they often do that without advance notice?

[CaptOblivious]

Sometimes they do. More likely with Hobby World, they found a new source for that model, even if that source only had one or two of the model. An actual reproduction of the model would have been picked up by all the major retailers. I hope tutu ordered in time!

[disturbman]

Well I don't know how they do but this restocking of MicroAce items seems to be very common. While I was in Osaka I saw shop restock some very rare items (two Doraemon trains, one E751 Tsugaru, one JR Shikoku 2000, many JR Shikoku 8000...). Go figure...

[clem24]

From my past experience, HS seems to have a real time stock system. If it showed Cart and you added it, I think it takes it out of stock for a few minutes and you'll get it as long as you check out in time. HW definitely does not have a real time stock system, but then again, I find HW is also way more able to get stuff that shows OOS. This is yet another reason why I seem to prefer HW more. I find often, I'll be shopping at HS, ponder something, make a decision 30 mins later, only to find it OOS.

 

So I am pretty sure that you got your train.

 

The only issue I'd worry about more is an error on their part. Some stuff like the 789 Super Hakucho add-on set was showing stock about 4 years after release. I tried ordering it but obviously they didn't actually have it.

[disturbman]

The only issue I'd worry about more is an error on their part. Some stuff like the 789 Super Hakucho add-on set was showing stock about 4 years after release. I tried ordering it but obviously they didn't actually have it.

 

Like I said before, every old item that can re-appear in their stock is not necessarily an error. I saw that happen IRL in Osaka with 4 years old sets. I even found some 789 Super Hakucho add-on still on the shelves in Osaka's shop.

[clem24]

The only issue I'd worry about more is an error on their part. Some stuff like the 789 Super Hakucho add-on set was showing stock about 4 years after release. I tried ordering it but obviously they didn't actually have it.

 

Like I said before, every old item that can re-appear in their stock is not necessarily an error. I saw that happen IRL in Osaka with 4 years old sets. I even found some 789 Super Hakucho add-on still on the shelves in Osaka's shop.

 

Would've loved one of sets. :BangHead:

[cteno4]

I have had HS show OOS right after i have ordered, but always gotten the item in the end so i figured i was just fast enough to get the last one.

 

I have often worried about OOS with HW as their system doe seem to take a while to catch up with processing, but have never gotten a OOS notice after ordering even when there was just 1 in stock. maybe i just buy obscure stuff!

 

its a pretty train with the white and great electrical wiring detail on the mid car roof.

 

cheers

 

jeff

[bill937ca]

From my past experience, HS seems to have a real time stock system. If it showed Cart and you added it, I think it takes it out of stock for a few minutes and you'll get it as long as you check out in time.

 

I would say HS had an inventory system, but it is not real time.  I've been charged for a model they did not have and I checked out quickly. They had to contact me and advise me that I would get a credit, which I did.  HS differentially needs more spot inventory counts.  That came just after a HS shipping error that cost me $140 too.

[KenS]

This morning it had disappeared from the "restock" list (it had been showing there even after going "waiting list"), so I was afraid it had been a mistake on their part.

 

However, while they haven't charged my card yet, they haven't cancelled the order either, and it's showing "preparing for shipping", so I remain hopeful (fingers crossed). So perhaps they really had just one (or a small number) and I got lucky.

[clem24]

Hopefully you do. It's a great model. Very quiet and a very smooth runner. One of my smoothest, if not the smoothest, Japanese MU. Too bad it doesn't have the extra working lights that the MA Doctor Yellow has; this one is just like any other regular set. When they first came out, I had to settle for East I-D because they ran out of stock of this one after I took too long to pull the trigger.

[KenS]

Well, it wasn't a dream, and HS really outdid itself on the shipping.  My doorbell rang about 30 minutes ago, and after a bit of puzzlement ("I'm not expecting anyone, am I?") I thought "EMS!?!" and ran for the door.  Yep, the U.S. Postal Service still delivers on Saturdays, and EMS is "postal" mail.  I'm used to UPS, which only delivers on weekdays.

 

So, a quick signature (and I was about to go out, 30 minutes later and I'd be waiting for Monday and gnawing my fingernails), and the train was unpacked and onto the test track on the coffee table.  It's breaking in now, but so far it looks good.

 

Now I'm late, and really need to leave for the afternoon, but I thought I'd post a few photos first (one must have one's priorities straight, after all  ).

[cteno4]

Ken,

 

the USPS express mail end of EMS actually delivers 365 days a year! just about the only thing that does that! they can ring you up really early on a sunday am as well, which may not be so exciting...

 

glad you got it, its a really nice train!

 

cheers

 

jeff

[harukablue]

Wow 365 thats amazing, I have an HO EF81 thats been sat in UK customs for 3 days with EMS :( typical sllllooowwww here

 

Lew

[cteno4]

Been reading the UK shipping horror stories on other threads, really a bummer, pay a lot and wait! Luckily there is no customs on stuff from japan to US so flies through and no duties and never seen an inspection indication on any packages from japan. now getting stuff across the canadian/us boarder can be fast and easy or close to a UK experience, go figure (next door neighbor, free trade partner, etc).

 

cheers

 

jeff