Kotobukiya Models

So, as you may or may not know due to my recent onslaught of posts after my reawakening, I have become highly interested in the Kotobukiya Zoid models.

I'm thinking I may buy the Shield Liger sometime and then the Blade Liger once it's released (and possibly the Command Wolf at some time or another), but am wondering about where the best place is to buy them from. I know of HLJ already, but am wondering if there are any other places with perhaps better prices.

Also, what exactly is the difference between SAL and EMS shipping? I know some people around here swear by EMS and only ship by it, but...SAL is cheaper Is there any concrete reason I should spend more for EMS?

EMS is very speedy shipping (generally a couple of days internationally), your item is insured (I think) and you get tracking (though this is mostly neglible considering how fast EMS is). SAL is not so fast (can be anywhere between a few days and a few weeks) and has no tracking or anything.

So in a nutshell, EMS is much faster, more consistent and generally more "reliable". SAL is slower, shipping times can be erratic but makes up for it all by being cheaper.

If you like using EMS then I'd recommend www.1999.co.jp, it's about as cheap as you're gonna get for the HMM line. Other than that, there's nothing too bad with HLJ, their prices are fairly standard.

http://imageanime.com/bllip.html

I got my Cwolf and Shield Liger from here. Those are sold out, but you can pre-order the Bladey.

I think I may be jumping on this very soon...

<3 SAL. Never let me down yet. Still, if you're the impatient type or want insurance/tracking, go EMS.

The Command Wolf is pretty, but the LC's plastic is a bit eh and ARGH IT IS ANNOYING TO DETAIL. I can't speak for the Blade, of course, but I'm currently waffling whether I want one or if it'll just piss me off to build, 'cause I feel compelled to detail Kotobukiya critters.

i finally assembled the shield liger, took it almost a week (few hours every evening), but now is assembled! reccomend to buy it, you won't be dissapointed.
btw, looking for bladey, and on hlj (where i bought the shield liger) says this:
Product Overview: This item is an injection-plastic kit of a science-fiction/anime item. It requires both cement and painting to complete or use.

btw, i used SAL as the shipping metod and it arrived for around 15 days.

HLJ says that by default for most model kits. The HMM series don't need paint or glue/cement and to some extents doesn't require paint at all. In some situations it can benefit from glue though.

yeah, it can benefit from glue, totally agree. i used a little of super attack for any piece that was falling of the liger.
btw, i painted the nails and some head lines on the hmm shield liger with the black cd marker, but i don't know what else to paint to give him a more realistic look.