EDITORIAL

You can see previous editorials from this year, here!

3^rd April 2005

My Monthly Rant About Something Serious...

Tokyo Hobby, WW II Guns, Japan Airsoft Guns, and Renegade Recon... All run by the same outfit?

First off, please know that I have no axe whatsoever to grind here: I'm commenting on something that caught my eye, and looks very serious indeed. Next, see this thread over on Arnie's Airsoft - and come back afterwards to read the rest of this editorial, please!

It does appear that many people are having problems with a Japanese-based 'retailer', by the name of Tokyo Hobby. Now, while I have not tried buying from these folks, the trend to customers allegedly being fleeced by TH is displayed in posts not only on Arnie's Airsoft, but on other forums across the globe (Examples: Airsoft Core, Airsoft Players, ASCUK, UKAN, and others. Just do a Google Search using the following link: http://www.google.co.uk/search?num=20&hl=en&q=%22tokyo+hobby%22+trouble&btnG=Search&meta=)

The root problem appears to be that they're very happy to take your money (especially by international bank transfer), but aren't that good (and this appears to be an understatement) about sending the goods you paid for to you.

This is, in my opinion, not only poor for the reputation of Japanese businesses as a whole - it's disgraceful practice - but poor for the Airsoft Hobby as a whole, which is, after all, a very small niché market world-wide. After all, someone who lives miles from a dedicated Airsoft store is more likely to go on-line to buy their Airsoft gear. Imagine their feelings when they get fleeced by an on-line 'retailer', and decide that this Airsoft thing is obviously (1) a load of - er - hooey, and (2) a well-organised scam, because of one or more dodgy retailers?

Frankly, having read the various forum messages regarding Tokyo Hobby, and it's apparent afiliates, I would urge you NOT to even attempt to buy from any of the following 'retailers': tokyohobby.com, wwiiguns.com, japanairsoftguns.com, or renegardrecon.com.

Now, the Admin over at Renegade Recon has made a kind-of attempt at distancing himself from Tokyo Hobby et al, but my hunch is that he really hasn't got a leg to stand on, given the pitiful comments and old Arnie's versus UKAN/ASCUK wibble that he spouted.

If, on the other hand, he can prove to the world that he's not got anything to do with TH or the other linked websites involved in this alleged scam, then maybe he should prove it with documentary evidence? Granted, in a court of law, you're innocent until proven guilty, but since no-one's apparently been able to pin whoever's responsible for the many customers who have lost money to this alleged fraud down to a court room, the only way that I can see people trusting RR et al is for documentary evidence to be posted up for all to see. Fair comment? I think so, at any rate, and I doubt I'm alone in my thinking.

From what I've seen thus far, you'd be losing your money if you went to buy from TH et al. Instead, go for recommended retailers, and you can find references and recommendations for loads of them, by frequenting the various Airsoft Forums out there.

Here endeth the lesson. Go and play Airsoft some more, and wathc who you buy from!

Have a good month, and play safe!

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