Their claim is that the various modelgun manufacturers only produce certain models at one time of year, then they go on to the next model. If they're out of a certain modelgun, they put you on 'backorder', which can mean when production starts up again (for that model) the next year. Meanwhile, they must have your full CC payment to insure that your order is reserved/processed promptly.
I kept all my emails. Here's an amusing excerpt -
Hello Richard,
Thank you for your order with us and our apologies for having kept you waiting. Your sea mail shipment number is CD056305414JP and you can expect delivery sometime end of next month or early March.
If you have any other questions or require assistance please contact us
again.
Best regards,
Miki Nakamura
President
Tokyo Toy Distribution
Asagaya Kita 2-26-17
Voga Asagaya 101
Tokyo 166-0001
JAPAN
Tel +81 3 3336 7075
Fax +81 3 3336 7075
Email: sales@tokyotoydistribution.com
Company website
http://www.tokyotoydistribution.com
Our divisions
http://www.wwiiguns.com
http://www.modelgunsinternational.com
http://www.specialforcesweapons.com
http://www.vietnamwar-guns.com
http://www.tokyohobby.net
Tokyo Toy Distribution YouTube channel
http://youtube.com/profile_videos?us...oydistribution
That was sent to me in January. My sea shipment never showed up. There is [supposedly] a deadline for disputing CC charges, but my bank at that time was HSBC and handled canceling the charges.
BTW, I was able to get the Marushin modelgun I wanted on eBay.