Mato site.

[YHR]

Hello again YHR,
       This is the good thing about the forum's,they are great tools for information.Having members from around the world and living in other country's where the way of doing things in that country can and often is a lot different than how things may be done in your own.UPS here for example is just a few dollars higher in shipping prices than what you can send by regular U.S.,and sometimes cheaper but the big advantage is it is three times faster than regular parcel post.When we get A UPS package there is no additional fees of any kind collected upon delivery,unless a package is sent cash on delivery.One big difference I see here all the time is an apparent "import duty Tax" that is charged in,Canada,UK,and australia,to name three countrys that appear to do this.Not being an importer I don't know what the people that do,pay to bring things like toys into this country.What ever it is it is never collected seperatly from a retail seller in general here,so it must be part of the original price you pay for an item.

I think some may think I'm picking on Mato toys in general,this is not the case at all.I simply state the facts as I see them and post it as information only for those who care to use it.It is not my money and I sure don't try to tell people where they need to buy their hobby stuff.But I do shop around
and try to stay current on prices on things I'm buying,and when I find what is a good price or deal I'm going to post it for other members to use.I have stated before I have no connection with any hobby shop--or any online seller---or store of any kind.When I buy I pay the same as anyone else and have no personel friend in the hobby business,and I receive no special deal or kick back of any kind for posting about a place I may buy a hobby item from.When you see a post from me one thing you can count on it will be true and factual to the best of my ability,and no strings attached.

I can understand a person liking a particular place to buy for many reasons.But on the other hand I didn't just fall of the back of a wattermellon truck
either.There are a lot of members on these forums who may play around with their hobby toys a bit,but are also in the business of selling stuff and some who get special deals for plugging a specific company.Now I find nothing wrong with this if they are up-front and don't try to hide this and be deceiving about it.We mentioned Raidentec and Banana Hobby and they are nothing more to me than,Sears,payless,toy's are us,bi-mart,walley world,target,and the list goes on and on.I'm interested in posting about those who give the best price and the fastest shipping for the best over-all cost.
There are a lot of new guys coming onto these forums wanting to get into the fun of hobbys and some not knowing anything realy about the hobby
(and lets us the term "tanks" in particular---This is a tank forum--And I was one of them-- ) and a lot of these guys have a family to support and are on a budget.These are the people I offer any help and advice I can.There are other's on here who get into these hobby's who could care less what something costs,and I don't care about them they will do what ever they do. But I still can't help but wonder why certin members  see these guys come on the forum asking where they can buy a tank and get the most bang for a buck and they tell them to go buy out of the country,and the best buy is in their own back yard.? Can't help but think there's more going on here than meets the eye.

                Can't exlpain ti any better than that---
                                                   BIGMIG     

Not sure where you are coming from, but you have made some statements that might imply I have some "interest in Mato doing well".  I have nothing to do with Mato toys.  I wish I did.  I do know they have offered nothing but great service to me.  I live in Canada so the shipping is not something that bothers me.  I factor that into the cost of the purchase.  You had a bad experience with them, so you are entitled to your opinion.  I know Mato are in this for more then just money, and it is because of them we have so many upgrade options,  They are more then just wholesalers, and I support them because of this.  I also plug Bill at RC Command in the USA.  Why, because he gives great service and gives somehting back to the tanker community.  I don't do witch hunts, but I will throw support behind companies I know, and treat me well.  Its called customer loyaty, and is usually earned. I buy fror GB too.  Pugwash and the Welsh place have both shipped stuff to me in great time, so I support them as well.

First tank I ever bought was from Raidentech,  Shipping was over $50 and the transmitter never worked.  I fixed it all and never said a word, (Until now)but I never bought another thing from them.

Mato turns their profit into designing tank upgrade parts and new releases.  If you want a Sherman, you will be supporting Mato, and I don't care where you buy it from.

I only replied to this thread because some where making claims about Mato putting the screws into them over shipping, like there was some conspiricy over the fact you had to pay in USD.  I just weighed in with some facts.  The local postal charges are pretty high too.  I just factor that into the cost , service and availablity of the product.  In the end they still come out on top.

[Abo]

YHR , you have to get away from this conspiracy stuff. I have no axe to grind or have any allegiance to any company,unless, like you, they give me a good service.I'm a retired cop so I can only go on what I think are the facts, we are charged in US dollars whilst Canadian customers are not.

I have done a sample check of 8 different items on the mato page comparing like for like US/Can dollar. EVERY time we were charged more by paying in US dollars. Admittedly the difference wasn't earth shattering, between 4 and 8 pounds on the ones I checked but it soon mounts up for the company over time with a lot of Brits buying. Remember the Canadian exchange rate for the US dollars is different than the UK £ rate. I just see no reason, simplicity being a plus, why we can't be all charged in the same canadian currency, I'm sure we used to be.

I may be massively wrong here, apologies if I am but whether its an American paying in dollars or a Brit paying in pounds, if an item costs $50 Canadian, THAT company still gets $50 Canadian, the exchange rate difference is paid by the customer in his own country surely? If that rate favours one customer over another that shouldn't effect Mato's profit.

Anyway, if I was any kind of money expert I'd be working in the financial sector, getting a huge bonus whilst laughing at  the public, telling them "its not my fault you're about to lose your house, blame the yanks". I'm not, so I'll just carry on with my hobby and thank the powers that be that I, at least still have a home.

[oztruck]

Most of my tanks have come from Mato, even though I live in Australia (down Under), the Tanks are made in China (just up and to the North), I buy from Canada (way off to the North East) Why?
Mato offered the metal gear box before any one else, there supplied battery was better than the rest were offering, the price including postage was equal to or better than I could from anybody else, THEY HAVE spare parts, that alone is worth 100 points, " A product made for the toy market, and you can get parts for it! " never heard of before Mato. They even offer a range of FREE parts to there costumers.
They have been the ones who have been pushing for better quality control, more accurate models, better details, even a SHERMAN.
Mato are not perfect, neither am I but they do treat me the way I would like to be treated. Quick answers, quick solutions, and always ready to listen.  
I think that if it wasn't for Mato I would still be making Tamiya trucks not HENG LONG tanks.

[wibblywobbly]

I am now wondering what it would cost to ask my sister who lives outside of Toronto to order stuff from Mato, and either post it on to me in the UK, or simply bring it with her next time she visits! A nice cheap Jagdpanther would do me very nicely thank you. 

Are they just a webshop or do they have a retail outlet?

Hmmm.... $190.80 CDN = £103.35 for a full metal upgraded Stug...hmmm!

[tiger205]

looks like you might be on to something rob, why dont you get youre sister to enquire at the post office how much it would cost to post a parcel that size to the uk, and to see how much mato would charge her to ship to her address, if it works out cheaper, it could be a way to get the tanks cheaper (a little money spinner )

                        Tony

[YHR]

looks like you might be on to something rob, why dont you get youre sister to enquire at the post office how much it would cost to post a parcel that size to the uk, and to see how much mato would charge her to ship to her address, if it works out cheaper, it could be a way to get the tanks cheaper (a little money spinner )

                         Tony

Do that.  You will be surprised how much the postage rates are in Canada.

International trade is done in US Dollars.    Mato's cost to produce and market an item would be based on the USD.  By selling in USD, their margin is secure.  Being in Canada they must deal in Canadian Dollars when selling to Canadians. That is the law.  So they do an exhcage rate conversion on their webpage and the price gets posted.  If the Canadian dollar drops agains the US currency(Which it has been doing) then of course the conversion gets out of whack.  The only time the conversion would work out on par is if the Canadian dollar is at a level exactly the same as when the web price was posted.  We all know how much the currency market moves up and donw, so of course there will be differences.  You can't fault Mato for the falling Canadian Dollar, and that is why they choose to deal in USD internationally.  IF they didn't the dropping Canadian Dollar would actually cut into their profit margin. IF they could sell to Canadians using the USD they would, but they can't.  Internationally though they can do what they want, and they choose to use the same currency they use to pay for the things.

I am not talking any conspiracy.  I am just stating facts that counter some of the opinions people are putting forward here.   

[tiger205]

Do that.  You will be surprised how much the postage rates are in Canada.

International trade is done in US Dollars.    Mato's cost to produce and market an item would be based on the USD.  By selling in USD, their margin is secure.  Being in Canada they must deal in Canadian Dollars when selling to Canadians. That is the law.  So they do an exhcage rate conversion on their webpage and the price gets posted.  If the Canadian dollar drops agains the US currency(Which it has been doing) then of course the conversion gets out of whack.  The only time the conversion would work out on par is if the Canadian dollar is at a level exactly the same as when the web price was posted.  We all know how much the currency market moves up and donw, so of course there will be differences.  You can't fault Mato for the falling Canadian Dollar, and that is why they choose to deal in USD internationally.  IF they didn't the dropping Canadian Dollar would actually cut into their profit margin. IF they could sell to Canadians using the USD they would, but they can't.  Internationally though they can do what they want, and they choose to use the same currency they use to pay for the things.

I am not talking any conspiracy.  I am just stating facts that counter some of the opinions people are putting forward here.     
[/quote]

so, if i understood you right YHR, youre saying dont bother trying that then?

               Tony

[YHR]

Please do.  I buy from them all the time and postage on a tank is about $30.00 if I want to wait 10 days.  Fast delivery(within a week) is $55.00  Now get your relative to mail it to you and you will find it would have been cheaper just ordering it from Mato in the first place, without all the inconvenience,!!!!!!!

Again I think the postage rates are a little high, but by doing this they are actually saving you import tax.  When it comes to import duties, they never look at postage, only what the tank is worth.  So if Mato sells a tank for $30 less, but charges 30 more for handling, your import duty is less, and they are doing you a favor.  Am I making any sense here?????

At the end of the day the total price to your door is what is important.  My bet is even with the high postage Mato delivers at a good price, and saves you some import tax as well.   They also try to make things right, which is more then I can say about  some discount retailers. 

I guess i am saying, don't get so wrapped up in the postage costs.  Factor that into your tank purchase, and look at the total cost to get it to your door, including postage and taxes.

My opinion is that Mato delivers a good selcetion at a fair price, and put their profits back into our hobby developing new things.  So when I look at the big picture, I feel my dollars are best spent at Mato.  Now if Mato is making it difficult for you to buy direct, it is only because they want you to use their European supplier.  IF the shipping is what is killing you then I would think you would be all for havng a successful Mato shop on your side of the pond!!!!!!

That's my 50 cents on this

[Crispy]

Wont you be paying 2 lots of postage? 1st from the supplier to your sister and then the 2nd from your sister to you? Surely the exchange rate isnt that bad? If she brings it with her on her next visit she'll have to declare it at customs.... so as Bart Simpson said "You're damned if you do and you're damned if you dont"

Last time I got stung for import tax was when I bought an airsoft replica gun fron Hong Kong a few years ago. Parcel Force didnt even attempt to deliver the package (dont you just love um), they just sent me a ransom note stating they were holding a package for me and I had to come down and pay them almost £50 before I could have it! I assume if i'd refused they wouldve starting cutting bits off it and posting them to me with even increasing threatening letters  ::) Funny thing is no one bothered that it was a metal gun and must've shown up on xray.

[fv432]

The way i always look at it is the cost to my door

YHR dont think anyones personally attacking you but just there opinion mate and the term "rip off britain" means just that we in britain get ripped off LMAO
there shipping rates arent anywhere near trying to get a tammy to your door from HK (£75) 
while they charge $55 us which = £38
although would be cheaper for us in can dollars about £30
so for a stug with metal gearboxes and track set would cost in can dollars about £134 w/shipping
and the same tank if international £147 dealing in US$  w/shipping

now can you get that over here or europe for that last one ??