Ooh~! you are from the States, if you don't mind waiting until March, I'm sure you can save 50 bucks more, PM me for some links if you are interested ;P

Well, I've ordered from HLJ and HobbySearch before (mostly due to the recent rush of shipping promotions) but this would be my first time shopping at AmiAmi, and for full price at that, so I'm not sure what to expect, other than they say they won't accept cancellations. I thought they'd all be roughly the same though. Thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind for next time.

I have ordered some repeated items by error and end up paying for both and give away one, there hasn't been a single time that AxiAxi's shipping is cheaper nor equal, often 1,000-2,000 yen (obvuously AxiAxi just ships by Registered Sal small packet, but the difference should be only like 700 yen over the HS one)
Their packages are always over protected (I once received a microfiber towel in a huge box from AxiAxi).

That explains why is cheaper in HS, but why EMS shipping from HLJ is more expensive than HS is out of my knowledge, checked the ship table from HS and AxiAxi, 5,400 JPY is for 3.0Kg, 6,100JPY is for 3.5Kg, the fig weights 1,870g + 1Kg-1.5Kg from the boxes (according to HLJ shipping info), only makes sense if HLJ really cares for the protection on costly items shipped by EMS, or that the mail I got from the HS staff was wrong or they only use the enough protection, no more or less than necessary, even if the item is costly.

A little bit confusing, but I'll keep with HS, I've got points with them, and what I've saved from their ship compared to AxiAxi compensates, is up to you who you chose after all :P

If both are being shipped by EMS, why would HS' shipping be so much cheaper? Both HLJ and AmiAmi's numbers seem consistent with each other with an estimate of 6100 JPY. I am quite confused now.

HS = 10,880 - 544 points = 10336 + "5,400 JPY of ship"* = 15,736
AxiAxi= 9,980 + 6100 JPY of ship = 16,080

And if you don't care about the points, AxiAxi saves you only 200 JPY, but if you do care, and already have some spare points is gonna be way more cheaper with HS, is up to you guys ;P

*Shipping cost received by mail by HS support:

Dear Customer,
Thank you very much for your contact.

As to the shipping cost of the item at the URL below...,

link

1 copy of it being shipped to the U.S. via EMS would cost 5,400 JPY.
Unfortunately, SAL Small Packet is not available for the item.

Thank you very much in advance for your understanding.
A great weekend to you.

Yeah I remember the box being printer-sized, but it wasn't too heavy though.

I'm so glad to just have heard about this 2011 re-realease, time to fix one of the biggest mistakes in my life :D

I think I'll wait till early september, if there is something about shipping discount, but atm amiami > hobbysearch ^^

DarkScytheHLJ said the boxes for this Fate and Nanoha's Exceed Mode were too large.

From their page:
Note: This item is physically too large to be sent by SAL Small Packet class, so can only be shipped by EMS or SAL Parcel class. (The shipping estimate listed on this page is correct; for an item of this size, SAL Parcel costs slightly more than EMS.)
lol I just had the same reply from amiami too and it can't be combined as well!

That item is about 1.8 kg on its own, and packed for shipping would be appx. 3.3 kg with the outer shipping box (the figure's package is huge). It would be appx. 6100 JPY via EMS (SAL Parcel would be more expensive) to Australia, and unfortunately we cannot ship two together as even our largest box would be unable to hold them.

HLJ said the boxes for this Fate and Nanoha's Exceed Mode were too large.

From their page:
Note: This item is physically too large to be sent by SAL Small Packet class, so can only be shipped by EMS or SAL Parcel class. (The shipping estimate listed on this page is correct; for an item of this size, SAL Parcel costs slightly more than EMS.)

SAL and EMS ist nearly the same price because her size or?