Considering getting an Araby army from GW Down Under shipped to UK; advice?

[Stormwind]

I sold some old stuff to a friend got some paypal money, I'm considering splashing out on something SG related before they all vanish into the ether.  Unfortunately the things I was keenest on have already vanished from all the webstores around the world.

The only thing unblemished I think I can go for is a small, but <complete>, 1500/2000 point Araby army from GW in Oz or New Zealand.  They are beautiful, unique models and rare in the 2nd hand market.  I can buy some of the remaining stock in the UK cheaper but the rest of the army list I can get from NZ at about a 60% price mark up.

The problem I have is that I simply don't know how extortionate the GW international shipping is.  I read people complaining about it here but no one has quoted a figure.  I mean, is it a flat rate or is it based on weight?  20 blisters of lead might attract a higher "tithe"...

Anyway, I am generally seeking advice on buying stuff before the window closes for good!

((There's Vampires, Dark Elves and Deamons that seem relatively complete  but I'm not sure they have the same appeal...))

[fracas]

If you can afford it then get it

[andydorman]

Shipping was around £25 from Oz I seem to remember... A lot of the stuff in the Australian store isn't actually available though so don't get your hopes up without actually trying to buy it first.

[Stormwind]

Ah, so it might appear to be available but then I'll have gaps in my order? =-/

I can still get Spearmen, Guard and Flying Carpets from the UK store, but now I'm not sure if I should risk it.  Is there any way of checking what truly is in stock?

[andydorman]

I don't think it's as bad as the uk store where it lets you order it, it just won't get added to your basket so it's easy to check. I think that's what's going on anyway...

[David Wasilewski]

I ordered about 15 blisters from GW Oz not that long ago (Bretonnians, Dwarves and Araby) and worked out that by the time I had paid for the figures, the shipping the VAT and Parcel Force "handling fee" it was over £20 a blister to the UK.

Dave

[Dave]

If it were me, I'd get these instead:

http://www.tridentebologna.it/miniature_E.php?category=36&epoch=2

[andydorman]

I've seen those too - will definitely be going there for some bretonnians, lovely minis

[Stormwind]

Ah those minis look fab! 

The Araby Spearmen, Guard, Flying Carpets, Characters and Elephants are so distinctive though, I would really like them.

The only blister that it WON'T let me have are the horse archers.

[Stormwind]

Dave - can you vouch for the quality of those Tridente models?  I'm seriously considering using them for Bowmen, Camel and Desert riders, which would save a LOT of money.

[wellspring]

I've been looking for scale pics... how do TB minis measure up to Araby? The minis look fantastic.

[Stormwind]

http://www.forum.specialist-arms.com/index.php?topic=4246.0

Only two entires in the catalogue for TB minis - they look good and to scale.

EDIT:

F*** My Life, shipping from New Zealand is $144, which works out at £72!  Minimum shipping for one unit is $30/£15, up to three units is $60/£30.  Am I willing to pay £30 for the Djinn / Wizard models? :-<<<

[kyussinchains]

I can vouch for the quality and scale of eureka miniatures, they do a war elephant model which may be up your street for araby....

in the UK you can get them from here

[Stormwind]

£13.50 each?  I'm amazed by the Eureka prices.  That means a unit would be £39.50.  I would be better off just importing from New Zealand. =-P

Thanks for the idea though.

[kyussinchains]

not cheap, but the elephant is considerably bigger than the GW ones I'm told.... maybe in this case that's a bad thing? think you might struggle to fit one on a 40mm base....

quality wise, eureka are every bit as good as the best available GW stuff from what I've seen....