Bandai 1/60 DX Chogokin Macross Plus YF-21

[Apok451]

On 2/4/2025 at 12:59 AM, Radioguy said:

The price on Amazon is dropping. Slowly, but it's happening. It was $256.79 the other day, sold and shipped by Amazon, and it's currently sold and shipped by Galactic Toys on there for $254.95. All with free shipping.

Amazon is pretty good about refunds, and likely would ship you a new prior to asking you ship the original back if you want an exchange. At least when shipped and sold by Amazon.

Only offer they gave me was to return it for a refund.  I'm instead just waiting for Bandai to send me a replacement antenna.

[ALEXD]

Same here. Only option is to return which is quite suspicious. I never got a response from bluefin, so I'm going to send it back to Amazon as i only have 2 days left to return. If they respond at a later time, I will rebuy, but the cracked canopy really peeved me. 

[Radioguy]

7 hours ago, Apok451 said:

Only offer they gave me was to return it for a refund.  I'm instead just waiting for Bandai to send me a replacement antenna.

Odd. I have gotten the return after replacement. Maybe you needed to mention you already threw out the shipping box?

5 hours ago, ALEXD said:

I never got a response from bluefin

Do you mean Bandai Namco? If you are emailing Bluefin, which no longer exists, I'm not sure Bandai is monitoring all the old contact methods.

[davidwhangchoi]

someone pls buy my 21's i brought too many

[26662]

1 hour ago, davidwhangchoi said:

someone pls buy my 21's i brought too many

Can’t  tell if you’re joking or not.  How many are you selling and what’s the going rate?  I have 2, which is enough, but I really like the 21 and wouldn’t mind a couple more.  [House is too small to display any of my bots, but maybe that’ll change one day]

[ALEXD]

13 hours ago, Radioguy said:

Odd. I have gotten the return after replacement. Maybe you needed to mention you already threw out the shipping box?

Do you mean Bandai Namco? If you are emailing Bluefin, which no longer exists, I'm not sure Bandai is monitoring all the old contact methods.

Yes I meant bandai namco haha used to the old name. Used the link found earlier in this thread 

[davidwhangchoi]

17 hours ago, 26662 said:

Can’t  tell if you’re joking or not.  How many are you selling and what’s the going rate?  I have 2, which is enough, but I really like the 21 and wouldn’t mind a couple more.  [House is too small to display any of my bots, but maybe that’ll change one day]

dm'd  but replying in case others have interest. I have multiples of 5 but off loading 2 as i don't need as many. perfect straight antennas and canopy's. Everyone who's brought from me on MW know i don't open my stuff and it's MISB. Only opened these and the VT-1's to inspect to reassure Q/A   

 

 

[MacrossJunkie]

I still haven't gotten my replacement parts. People got theirs months ago already. I emailed them to see what the status was on mine back in Dec and got this as a reponse

Quote

Hello,
 
Thank you for reaching out!
 
Regretfully, we have not yet received all the replacement parts from the manufacturer at this time as we had originally anticipated. Once we have received these, you will automatically be receiving tracking informaiton to your email address. Thank you very much for your continued patience and understanding with this process.
Thank you,
BNTCA Customer Service

 

It's now February and I still haven't heard anything. Bandai's customer service is absolutely awful.

[GreenGuy42]

On 2/8/2025 at 2:13 AM, davidwhangchoi said:

someone pls buy my 21's i brought too many

Got ya covered.  

I’m looking forward to displaying it next to my 19.

[Bing]

I received it from 2 months ago but in a bad condition. Bent antennas and a wing tip that has severe stressmark.  Unfortunately I got it from seller that is not good for matters of warranty. So I tried to fix myself, armed with information from the Macross group. Now the antenna is straight and the wings have decreased stressmark even though it need a little touchup in the future.

 

[26662]

13 minutes ago, Bing said:

I received it from 2 months ago but in a bad condition. Bent antennas and a wing tip that has severe stressmark.  Unfortunately I got it from seller that is not good for matters of warranty. So I tried to fix myself, armed with information from the Macross group. Now the antenna is straight and the wings have decreased stressmark even though it need a little touchup in the future.

 

Looking good!  And I really like the shiny stand for your Yamato (I'm guessing it's the Yamato, don't flame me).  Of the two YF-21s shown in your image, what's your favorite, and why?  Just curious.  I don't own the Yamato but it's growing on me a little bit and I could be persuaded to pick up one on eBay if I hear more people praise it.

[Bing]

1 minute ago, 26662 said:

Looking good!  And I really like the shiny stand for your Yamato (I'm guessing it's the Yamato, don't flame me).  Of the two YF-21s shown in your image, what's your favorite, and why?  Just curious.  I don't own the Yamato but it's growing on me a little bit and I could be persuaded to pick up one on eBay if I hear more people praise it.

Yes, the one who uses the stand is the Yamato version 🙂.

IMHO 🙏 If I was told to choose one, I would choose Yamato. The reason is because I am among those who like the perfect transformation system, So the biggest weakness of Yamato is that his small legs can still be accepted. But DX Bandai is not bad at all from the quality of the material, Bandai wants to have a proportional leg but sacrificing the backpack. Plus the poor QC and the package.  But for me.. both can be complement to each other, Yamato for fighter mode, and Bandai for batroid mode. Next we just hope for the Arcadia version 😁

[davidwhangchoi]

On 2/10/2025 at 6:33 AM, GreenGuy42 said:

Got ya covered.  

I’m looking forward to displaying it next to my 19.

post some pics when it arrives

[Apok451]

On 2/10/2025 at 4:06 AM, MacrossJunkie said:

I still haven't gotten my replacement parts. People got theirs months ago already. I emailed them to see what the status was on mine back in Dec and got this as a reponse

 

It's now February and I still haven't heard anything. Bandai's customer service is absolutely awful.

The email I got said approx 8 weeks, so the would put me end of feb or early march if Im lucky.  Im used to seeing it without at this point, lol.

[MacrossJunkie]

11 hours ago, Apok451 said:

The email I got said approx 8 weeks, so the would put me end of feb or early march if Im lucky.  Im used to seeing it without at this point, lol.

I made my submission back in early August last year. Got a response from them, on Oct 16 saying "We anticipate that this replacement part will arrive and ship out within the next month. Once again, thank you very much for your patience and understanding."

Forward time to December and still having received nothing, I emailed them again to see what was going on. They said they haven't received all the parts yet and told me that they will ship once they get them.

Forward to February and there's still no word. 

[GreenGuy42]

Just got one from a MW seller so that I knew it wasn’t a broken mess. I never thought a toy could feel so solid yet so fragile at the same time. 

[davidwhangchoi]

On 2/18/2025 at 2:01 PM, GreenGuy42 said:

Just got one from a MW seller so that I knew it wasn’t a broken mess. I never thought a toy could feel so solid yet so fragile at the same time. 

Enjoy the valk!!!

[Apok451]

Well I guess that’s my answer.   Oh well.  

[Chronocidal]

Wow Bandai.

Imagine actually supporting your customers.  WTAF.  

 

[borgified]

Good grief! So basically you’re left up to dry @Apok451 (and with anyone in the same boat that filed a broken antennae on the YF-21) and the replacement parts have dried up. 
 

I do recall a member having 3D printed antennas up for grabs for those that need it. 

4 minutes ago, Chronocidal said:

Wow Bandai.

Imagine actually supporting your customers.  WTAF.  

Plus we’re stupid enough to buy valks from them again after complaining about it. 
 

[Apok451]

Yeah, I’ll prob try to find someone to print me one and maybe one of those ghost drones too.  

[davidwhangchoi]

3 hours ago, Apok451 said:

Well I guess that’s my answer.   Oh well.  

Wow, Bandai, that's messed up. 

[Paco Grande]

I thought they did have a storefront on Amazon? Isn't that what the Tamashii Nations section on Amazon is? They are selling on Amazon are they not? It's not just third party sellers. That's very confusing. Unless this item was purchased from a third party seller on Amazon Marketplace?

[Radioguy]

WTF??? That's not the level of service I used to get when they were Bluefin. Last time I had something like this happen, I showed them proof of purchase and they sent me a whole damned new figure. Hopefully when you contacted them, you mentioned the damaged part, but didn't insist on a part replacement, but simply a resolution. They might feel sending you a second figure, as ridiculous as that sounds, might be easier for them. (Happened to me)

4 hours ago, Apok451 said:

Yeah, I’ll prob try to find someone to print me one and maybe one of those ghost drones too.  

Hang on, Amazon will likely still take care of you. Tell them what the mfgr said, take advantage of the refund, and, if the price has risen, during the same call have them refund the difference back to you on the new order (likely will be a credit for a future purchase, but they are Amazon, you'll end up using it).

Thing is, I think the price has dropped since you bought it, so you would likely save money in this scenario.

Good luck!

[Apok451]

4 hours ago, Radioguy said:

WTF??? That's not the level of service I used to get when they were Bluefin. Last time I had something like this happen, I showed them proof of purchase and they sent me a whole damned new figure. Hopefully when you contacted them, you mentioned the damaged part, but didn't insist on a part replacement, but simply a resolution. They might feel sending you a second figure, as ridiculous as that sounds, might be easier for them. (Happened to me)

Hang on, Amazon will likely still take care of you. Tell them what the mfgr said, take advantage of the refund, and, if the price has risen, during the same call have them refund the difference back to you on the new order (likely will be a credit for a future purchase, but they are Amazon, you'll end up using it).

Thing is, I think the price has dropped since you bought it, so you would likely save money in this scenario.

Good luck!

As it’s been two months, I doubt Amazon will do anything at this point in time.  I responded and sent them a screenshot of the “fake” storefront on Amazon.  If I want an antenna at this point in time, I either need to do what some jackass did to mine, 3D print it or just not give AF.   I mean I’m already used to not seeing it on mine.  

[Radioguy]

1 hour ago, Apok451 said:

As it’s been two months, I doubt Amazon will do anything at this point in time.  I responded and sent them a screenshot of the “fake” storefront on Amazon.  If I want an antenna at this point in time, I either need to do what some jackass did to mine, 3D print it or just not give AF.   I mean I’m already used to not seeing it on mine.  

First, don't set yourself up for a fall on this one by assuming the worst. Let Amazon tell you if they won't resolve it, but please keep in mind that when you contact them to immediately include that you approached the manufacturer, who specifically advised you to take this course of action. I mean, you literally have it in writing. Use it to your advantage here.

I have dealt with Amazon, Amazon UK, and Amazon Japan quite a bit, more than I'd like, and I speak from experience when I say I literally believe you can get them to refund you on this. If they do, I doubt they'll let you keep it (don't say no if they do though!), but however you return it (at Whole Foods is easypeasy), have peace of mind that they will either list it as used and damaged by their resale arm, or sell it off as salvage in a pallet to some closeout store as such. No one will be screwed by you returning it.

Given the situation with Bandai right now, really the best outcome would be a refund and rebuy for a chance at a better antenna. In fact, I can tell you now that the price offset between when you bought it and now would be enough for some to do a return and rebuy just to save some money.

I assume you have used chat to converse with Amazon, and you still can, but actually speaking to someone on the phone who hears you as a human being can often tip things in a customer's favor. I recommend going that route now. If you do, the Amazon number is (206) 922-0080.

....

As for Bandai, I would love to know what they say in response to the picture (and link?) you sent of the established Tamashii storefront. They cannot deny it, when such things are set up by Amazon in partnership with brands.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/TAMASHIINATIONS/page/D4E2B0A7-47D9-4337-9B53-65739F8672E7

https://www.amazon.com/stores/TAMASHIINATIONSMACROSS/page/3807F0A4-461C-42CB-943B-32008141E5AD

Those are pretty much permanent storefronts. I've seen such pages which are still on Amazon for brands that have been defunct for years but were set up before they went under. Bandai can't deny it exists or that they are part of why.

Best of luck!

[Apok451]

1 hour ago, Radioguy said:

First, don't set yourself up for a fall on this one by assuming the worst. Let Amazon tell you if they won't resolve it, but please keep in mind that when you contact them to immediately include that you approached the manufacturer, who specifically advised you to take this course of action. I mean, you literally have it in writing. Use it to your advantage here.

I have dealt with Amazon, Amazon UK, and Amazon Japan quite a bit, more than I'd like, and I speak from experience when I say I literally believe you can get them to refund you on this. If they do, I doubt they'll let you keep it (don't say no if they do though!), but however you return it (at Whole Foods is easypeasy), have peace of mind that they will either list it as used and damaged by their resale arm, or sell it off as salvage in a pallet to some closeout store as such. No one will be screwed by you returning it.

Given the situation with Bandai right now, really the best outcome would be a refund and rebuy for a chance at a better antenna. In fact, I can tell you now that the price offset between when you bought it and now would be enough for some to do a return and rebuy just to save some money.

I assume you have used chat to converse with Amazon, and you still can, but actually speaking to someone on the phone who hears you as a human being can often tip things in a customer's favor. I recommend going that route now. If you do, the Amazon number is (206) 922-0080.

....

As for Bandai, I would love to know what they say in response to the picture (and link?) you sent of the established Tamashii storefront. They cannot deny it, when such things are set up by Amazon in partnership with brands.

https://www.amazon.com/stores/TAMASHIINATIONS/page/D4E2B0A7-47D9-4337-9B53-65739F8672E7

https://www.amazon.com/stores/TAMASHIINATIONSMACROSS/page/3807F0A4-461C-42CB-943B-32008141E5AD

Those are pretty much permanent storefronts. I've seen such pages which are still on Amazon for brands that have been defunct for years but were set up before they went under. Bandai can't deny it exists or that they are part of why.

Best of luck!

You make a couple of good points, and if I was sure I had all of my packaging, sure I'd throw a bit of a fit for myself.  But I might have thrown out some of the packaging  and the price has only dropped $4 since I bought it, so not worth much more of a fuss.  However, Im gonna take note of that amazon number, and everyone else should for instances like this.  I would have been perfectly cool if they said let us send another and if that one is acceptable, you can send the other back or keep it so we dont have to deal with this with anyone else.  However this does give me an opportunity to reach out to my local community and find a new friend with a 3d printer that would print a few things for a donation of resin.

If Bandai responds to the pic and link, I'll post it up here.

[Radioguy]

If the box is gone, then it's hard (maybe not impossible, but it would be uncertain). You certainly don't need the shipper or shipping box though.

[Paco Grande]

Amazon used to be very good about replacing defective items. Even Amazon Japan. I was able to return a Masterpiece Transformer to Japan on their dime and it was a few weeks past their 1 month return window. They have also shipped me a second Masterpiece Transformer for free from Japan when I was missing a ratchet part. I've heard they are not as good as they used to be, but I would try for sure.

Many Transformers fans (including myself) have stopped buying from Amazon Japan because they charge up front for pre-orders now, no longer allow you to use gift cards to pay pre-orders off in chunks and also no longer do returns for international customers. It was very nice while it lasted. 

But if you bought from your local Amazon site I would try to get a refund or replacement for sure.

[davidwhangchoi]

On 2/20/2025 at 7:47 AM, Apok451 said:

You make a couple of good points, and if I was sure I had all of my packaging, sure I'd throw a bit of a fit for myself.  But I might have thrown out some of the packaging  and the price has only dropped $4 since I bought it, so not worth much more of a fuss.  However, Im gonna take note of that amazon number, and everyone else should for instances like this.  I would have been perfectly cool if they said let us send another and if that one is acceptable, you can send the other back or keep it so we dont have to deal with this with anyone else.  However this does give me an opportunity to reach out to my local community and find a new friend with a 3d printer that would print a few things for a donation of resin.

If Bandai responds to the pic and link, I'll post it up here.

keep us updated if you get a positive resolution from Amazon.

Bandai customer service sucks!

I think i'm going to keep my  extra copy now that i know replacements will be hard to find.