Play-asia - what are they like **experiences required**

[buster_broon]

i am interested in 1 of the items they are selling but i've never bought from them before

now i appreciate that this site sponsors alot of their stuff so i suppose thats should be all the good words i need

but i'm more interested in shipping and customs info - the item i want is ?60

its better to come here and ask the dudez rather than read a FAQ on their site

tell me all good and bad experiences please

[Abhisara]

Whenever I've used the cheap packet or box option, they've always marked the price down for me without being asked (even for orders over ?60), and it usually takes a week or so to arrive. I'm yet to get a customs charge using this method even though every order has been over ?18.

The one time I used a courier option, they marked the full value and I got a customs hit.

[marcus]

Id suggest ordering via flat-pack if its single/double games, using couriers often attracts import charges. Moved to Q&A also.

[Ted Striker]

they're who i use for all my jap games. an excellent company. Ordered a spice GC off of them and didn't have to pay customs. Sent via courier and everything.

[Geoff D]

Never had a problem - orders usually turn up for me in 4-7 days using the cheapest method.

I usually only order 1-2 games at a time though - how big (in size) is the thing you're ordering?

[buster_broon]

Never had a problem - orders usually turn up for me in 4-7 days using the cheapest method.

I usually only order 1-2 games at a time though - how big (in size) is the thing you're ordering?

its the streetfighter 3rd strike collectors set - probably the same size as the hyper streetfighter 2 thingy

[endo]

Used them quite a few times now and never, touch wood, been hit by customs. Really good service all round and quickish delivery even if you go for the cheapest option. I've only ever got single games off them but my brother got a load of stuff- controllers, games and other bits- a while ago and it all came properly boxed up and no customs. Plus they'll mark stuff down without you even asking. Top all round (plus better than Lik Sang customer service-wise, and they won't charge you on pre-orders until the game is shipped, unlike others)

[Robster]

Ive ordered quite a few things mate the biggest bgeing donkey conga and never got stung for customs, I always asked them to mark down the items and the shipping options are quite good.

Recently I have been using TNT but have used EMS in the past - depends how quick you want the item really.

Saying that there is never a gurantee with customs as you know.

[Yoshimoto]

Best company i've ever used without a shadow of a doubt.

I recently added up what i'd spent with them. It came to over $2000 in the last six months and i've been more than happy with every single item - theres been a fair few as you can imagine.

I've ordered the Streetfighter 3 Collectors Edition from them and have stuck to just normal post. Thats the method that my Hyper Streetfighter Collectors Edition came by and although it came in quite large box it got through customs unscathed. Hopefully this will too.

Well recommended.

[Captain Olimar]

I recently ordered a dual colour GBA from them and got stung badly from customs. ?35 badly. I did select the UPS option however. I got a letter from the courier a few days ago asking me to send a cheque. Bastards. Other than that, it was pretty damn speedy shipping (2.5 days) and it was well packed along with a ?5 off voucher. I'm not sure if I'd use again with the risk of customs, but usually I don't order high value products from abroad. Most of my importing is through Lik-Sang or eBay, and the sellers will always mark down the value.

[Kubrick]

I buy most of my games from them. I've been stung with customs just twice, both for GBA SPs!

[lostn]

They are the best online retailer I've purchased from. Very speedy service, and their site's features are really good.

[Siri]

I've placed three or so orders with them, and all of them came out fine, with no customs sting. The things I ordered from them range from DVD case games to an Arcade Stick.

If it's a large object (like the stick), check to see if you can do TNT shipping on it. although i've heard some horror stories about it (namely getting custom charges about 3 weeks later or something), My stick came through without any sting, to my knowledge. Either that, or send it by EMS shipping, but i'm not sure about what the results might be, I've only used that for smaller items (such as games or leads).

you could also look at yesasia if you're extremely worried about getting stung, although considering the size of it you should be able to get away with Play-Asia with EMS, imo.

[Naiera]

I'll just throw in a recommendation as well. Lik Sang only cares about profit, so they sell Asian versions at the same prices as Play Asia sell real Japanese versions. And if you have a coupon, shipping is free. ALWAYS pick the cheapest option. This is mostly directed at you, Olimar. You're asking for trouble by selecting UPS. Play Asia have always come through for me, and I haven't had to pay anything extra the last couple of times I ordered from them. If anything it'd be a very little amount, seeing as they usually mark the price down, for example on SvC for the PS2.

[VoyagerFX]

Another recommendation for PA, excellent customer services, packages are marked down (i do sometimes email them to check).