Amazon Roulette

ET2SN · 03-07-22, 06:47 PM

So, last Jan 18th I was ordering some junk from Jeff's Corporate Behemoth and I impulse-buy a small jar of Tamiya flat yellow acrylic paint. No big deal, I'm in for all of 7 dollars including shipping. My other stuff shows up on time but- no paint.

At this point I can't cancel the order.

I check the order status and its status is "shipped" by "Wali Global Freight Services". Oh great, here we go.

Everything points to a point of origin in either Taiwan or the Mainland, which is something I try to avoid on small orders. I would rather not be the source of some international incident in the Pacific involving a box of pencils or mini staples, if you know what I mean.

Meanwhile, someone, somewhere is tracking my 1/3 oz. jar of paint as it travels halfway around the planet, because that's what you do..

I get e-mail updates from "on time" to "still on time" to "please fill out this feedback form" to "gosh, we're sorry" and it finally shows up today.

At this point, I don't even know why I ordered it. That was Me from an earlier time, I had different wants and desires.

Buddahaid · 03-07-22, 08:43 PM

There goes the world economy. Have you no decency?

ET2SN · 03-07-22, 09:19 PM

Hey, in a VERY minor, minor, minor way I'm supporting Taiwan.

Not as much as if I bought some dumplings and a rice ball, but it all matters.

Reece · 03-08-22, 02:46 AM

Lost too much over a period of time with them so have given em the flick!!

Jimbuna · 03-08-22, 05:48 AM

I know it's becoming increasingly difficult not to these days but I avoid anything 'Made in China' these days.

ET2SN · 03-08-22, 06:49 AM

Jim, this hobby stuff can get really complicated.

In this case I was buying paint made by a Japanese company that was distributed by an export company in Taiwan. I support Taiwan, so no harm, no foul.

I've bought model kits made by GWH (Great Wall Hobby) and Hobby Boss that are located in mainland China HOWEVER, they were distributed/exported/shipped out of, you guessed it, Taiwan.

In one of those "How about that" ironies, the most accurate model you can buy of a Los Angeles class submarine was designed and molded in the PRC.

Jimbuna · 03-08-22, 07:33 AM

Rgr that matey....back in the day when I built models, I was into the 1/700 waterline and the 1/35 armour (both by Tamiya) and most if not just about all of them came via Taiwan.

August · 03-08-22, 06:32 PM

All the effort expended to overcome deadly worldwide pandemics, destructive wars, freight train thieves, striking truckers and other myriad and increasing number of major obstacles to get your little can of model paint to all the way around to the other side the world and you don't even care.

Jeff-Groves · 03-08-22, 06:40 PM

Ungrateful twit isn't he?

03-07-22, 06:47 PM	#1
ET2SN Ocean Warrior Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 2,652 Downloads: 60 Uploads: 0	Amazon Roulette So, last Jan 18th I was ordering some junk from Jeff's Corporate Behemoth and I impulse-buy a small jar of Tamiya flat yellow acrylic paint. No big deal, I'm in for all of 7 dollars including shipping. My other stuff shows up on time but- no paint. At this point I can't cancel the order. I check the order status and its status is "shipped" by "Wali Global Freight Services". Oh great, here we go. Everything points to a point of origin in either Taiwan or the Mainland, which is something I try to avoid on small orders. I would rather not be the source of some international incident in the Pacific involving a box of pencils or mini staples, if you know what I mean. Meanwhile, someone, somewhere is tracking my 1/3 oz. jar of paint as it travels halfway around the planet, because that's what you do.. I get e-mail updates from "on time" to "still on time" to "please fill out this feedback form" to "gosh, we're sorry" and it finally shows up today. At this point, I don't even know why I ordered it. That was Me from an earlier time, I had different wants and desires.

03-07-22, 08:43 PM	#2
Buddahaid Shark above Space Chicken Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 9,319 Downloads: 162 Uploads: 0	There goes the world economy. Have you no decency? __________________ "However vast the darkness, we must provide our own light." Stanley Kubrick "Tomorrow belongs to those who can hear it coming." David Bowie

03-08-22, 02:46 AM	#4
Reece CINC Pacific Fleet Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Down Under Posts: 34,688 Downloads: 171 Uploads: 0	Lost too much over a period of time with them so have given em the flick!! __________________ *Sub captains go down with their ship!*

03-08-22, 05:48 AM	#5
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,461 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	I know it's becoming increasingly difficult not to these days but I avoid anything 'Made in China' these days. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

03-08-22, 07:33 AM	#7
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,461 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	Rgr that matey....back in the day when I built models, I was into the 1/700 waterline and the 1/35 armour (both by Tamiya) and most if not just about all of them came via Taiwan. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

03-07-22, 09:19 PM	#3
ET2SN Ocean Warrior Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 2,652 Downloads: 60 Uploads: 0	Hey, in a VERY minor, minor, minor way I'm supporting Taiwan. Not as much as if I bought some dumplings and a rice ball, but it all matters.

03-08-22, 06:49 AM	#6
ET2SN Ocean Warrior Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 2,652 Downloads: 60 Uploads: 0	Jim, this hobby stuff can get really complicated. In this case I was buying paint made by a Japanese company that was distributed by an export company in Taiwan. I support Taiwan, so no harm, no foul. I've bought model kits made by GWH (Great Wall Hobby) and Hobby Boss that are located in mainland China HOWEVER, they were distributed/exported/shipped out of, you guessed it, Taiwan. In one of those "How about that" ironies, the most accurate model you can buy of a Los Angeles class submarine was designed and molded in the PRC.

03-08-22, 06:32 PM	#8
August Wayfaring Stranger Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 23,197 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	All the effort expended to overcome deadly worldwide pandemics, destructive wars, freight train thieves, striking truckers and other myriad and increasing number of major obstacles to get your little can of model paint to all the way around to the other side the world and you don't even care. __________________ Flanked by life and the funeral pyre. Putting on a show for you to see.

03-08-22, 06:40 PM	#9
Jeff-Groves GLOBAL MODDING TERRORIST Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 5,649 Downloads: 137 Uploads: 0	Ungrateful twit isn't he?