Getting models from the US. Need advice.

[Arkin_scalemodelnerd]

I'm planning on getting some models from the US. I will be buying the models online, to be delivered to my uncle who lives there. He will then either parcel them to me.
I need some advice-
1. What are the things to be remembered while getting models from abroad as mentioned above?
2. I have shortlisted an old 1:43 Fiat 1100 from ebay, a Sunstar 1:12 Samba and a 1:12 Sunstar Morris Cabri (or) 1:18 Autoart G55 AMG. I shall be getting some stuff for the 3 - car garage diorama I'm planning on making for almost $50.
What do you guys thing about my selection. Any advice in this regard would be helpful.
Note: The Sunstar 1:12s are limited editions, and only 1500 of each will even be made.
Thank in advance!

---

I am told that the 1100 is from Starline, and some "minichamps dealer" will be getting some in India, and that the Sunstar models will be coming to some "Gift Centre" here. Is this true? And how can I contact the "Gift Centre" and minichamps dealer?

[groundforce]

Arkin, you shouldn't have a problem if you're shipping to a U.S address. No sweat at all.

Nikhil, the owner of Gift Centre is always at his store, so all you've got to do is show up. The store's in south Bombay, close to Akbarally's at Flora Fountain.

Gift Centre
29, Rustom Building,
Veer Nariman Road, Fort, Bombay - 1
Telephone: +91 22 2204 2917; 2285 5182; 2204 4546

Mr. Mehta
Automania (Minichamps/ CMC/ Norscot/ Franklin Mint and more).
Forjett Hill Road, Bombay
Mobile: +91 99874 17000

Cheers

[Arkin_scalemodelnerd]

Thank you Groundforce. I am forever indebted to you.
I shall contact them ASAP. I wouldn't mind traveling to Bombay, I was planning on a vacation anyway.

[groundforce]

No worries, Arkin. Thank Winston though, he first hooked me up with Automania.

[Arkin_scalemodelnerd]

Someone at the Gift Centre told me "Dukaan Bandh he" and Mr. Mehta's phone is out of coverage area. So I'll have to wait till Monday.

[Stickshift]

I'm planin a trip to the US next week. Have shortlisted a few retailers - wholesalediecastmodels.com, scale18.com to do my online shopping. I would like to know your experience ( if any) with the services of these retailers or if you could suggest other good onilne retailers that deliver to hotels or even good brick and mortar stores around Los Angeles and San Fransico Area.

Thanks

[Cyrus43]

Scale18 is decent. And so is idcow.com I have. THere have been a few complaints with WDM in the past..

[winstoncds]

Scale18 is the best. I have gotten 2 models from them, shipped to the US and there were topnotch.

[amarkatira]

(09-10-2010 07:24 PM)Arkin_scalemodelnerd Wrote:  I'm planning on getting some models from the US. I will be buying the models online, to be delivered to my uncle who lives there. He will then either parcel them to me.
I need some advice-
1. What are the things to be remembered while getting models from abroad as mentioned above?
2. I have shortlisted an old 1:43 Fiat 1100 from ebay, a Sunstar 1:12 Samba and a 1:12 Sunstar Morris Cabri (or) 1:18 Autoart G55 AMG. I shall be getting some stuff for the 3 - car garage diorama I'm planning on making for almost $50.
What do you guys thing about my selection. Any advice in this regard would be helpful.
Note: The Sunstar 1:12s are limited editions, and only 1500 of each will even be made.
Thank in advance!

---

I am told that the 1100 is from Starline, and some "minichamps dealer" will be getting some in India, and that the Sunstar models will be coming to some "Gift Centre" here. Is this true? And how can I contact the "Gift Centre" and minichamps dealer?

I think the 1:43, Fiat 1100 is available with Mr.Rakesh at Automania, you can talk with him.
http://automania.co.in/minichamps/143_fi...ecial.html

[Diecast]

(01-24-2012 10:59 PM)winstoncds Wrote:  Scale18 is the best. I have gotten 2 models from them, shipped to the US and there were topnotch.

Very true he is the best and i hardly got any trouble from buying from ebay if you through paypal..