Tomix Sources (Updated December 2011)
Tomix track and trains are available through a very limited number of sources outside Japan and from various English language sources in Japan. I have a strong preference for importing my trains directly from Japanese sources.
Since my original list in August 2008 and updates in May 2010, and August 2011 much has changed. Since the May 2010 update, Ace of Bicycle has disappeared from eBay and Hobby World Japan closed their English language online shop. Now Rainbow Ten has announced it will close its online shop effective 31st January 2012.
Shipping
There are two shipping options with most dealers, either EMS or SAL.
EMS (Express Mail Service) is more expensive, fast, insured up to 20,000 Yen automatically, and trackable.
SAL is small packet is cheap, uninsured, takes 7 to 14 days minimum, and has a 2,000 gram limit (except for printed matter). As SAL only gets available air cargo space, delivery times vary considerably.
Ordering from Japan
The new year starts in Japan in April and dealer stock is often the lowest at this time. Previews of new items appear at shows starting in May at the Shizouka Hobby Show and continue through JAM (Japan Association of Modelrailroaders) in August. Dealers start replenishing stock levels in the late spring. Dealer stock levels are good through the fall until New Years, most new releases appear and restocking activity gradually slows down as the March 31 year end approaches.
There are also several extended Japanese holiday periods like New Years (which can last as long as 7 days in some cases) in early January, Golden Week in late April and Obon in August which totally shutdown processing of orders and email reply.
Japanese Internet Dealers
Hobby Search has been my primary source since day one. Hobby Search has a very large catalog of items listed by manufacturer and category. Items from smaller manufacturers can be found in a separate Other Makers directory. With such a large selection of items the Manufacturer List is handy. There is also a Release List and a Series List. Prices on stock and reservations are generally 10% off regular price for most items plus 3% points.
There is a points program that earns you 3% of most items. This can be redeemed on future purchases and used to reduce shopping and shipping costs. Points are good for one year. If you have more points than the total cost of your order, the points are only applied to the merchandise purchased. You will still have to pay shipping.
Shipping is now either SAL (up to SAL limits) or EMS. HS takes reservations on upcoming items and now allows you to choose SAL or EMS shipping during the pre-order process. Hobby Search is again taking credit cards or you can pay with or PayPal.
Hobby Search also carries Japanese railway and model train magazines in a separate “store”.
Plaza Japan is a long time eBay store and another source since day one with a good selection of Tomix items and other Japanese model railroad manufacturers. On screen stock count helps when placing track orders as stock-outs are a real inconvenience. Items are priced in US dollars, so when the US dollar is high prices may seem high. Defective or incorrect items can be exchanged for the same item at no extra charge when reported by e-mail within 1 week from the delivery date. EMS and SAL shipping is available. As an eBay dealer PayPal is the primary means of payment. Plaza Japan is a very reliable source.
A small independent Japanese dealer selling on the internet. Prices are usually MSRP or higher reflecting the limited production runs of many Japanese model railway models. On orders less than 5000 Yen, there is a 500 Yen low order fee. Ships EMS or SAL plus a couple of other options. Prices are quoted in Japanese Yen, US Dollar, Euro or Pound. Payment is PayPal or credit card.
Not really a model train dealer, but they do offer some Tomytec, Sankei and Bandai B-Train Shorty items, and sometimes at very good discounts. Each item shows its shipping cost by either FedEx, EMS or SAL. Payment is either by PayPal or credit card.
Dealers Outside Japan
BT Trains
A new west coast US dealer offering Tomix and other Japanese model train products. This is great if you are American, but my issue is that US postal rates are excessive compared to Japanese postal rates and you can get a double whack on the exchange from Yen to USD and then to your home currency. Still you will find Tomix, Kato, Greenmax, Micro Ace, Kawai and Hogarakado.
Model Train Stuff
The internet arm of M. B. Klein carries Japanese model train items by Kato and Tomix. The Tomix stock is mainly vehicles and structures.
Japan Model Railways
Located in Kamen Germany, Japan Model Railways is one of the few Tomix dealers outside Japan. Japan Model Railways carries a very full line of trains, track, structures and vehicles. Items are priced in Euros. For many people in Europe this dealer is a great alternative to shipping bulky items like track all the way from Japan. The same people also run a train store 10 minutes away from Kamen’s train station.
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