How 1:64 Diecast Pre-Orders Work at Miniature Store India
If you've discovered Miniature Store for the first time, you might be wondering how our pre-order system works. It's different from buying in-stock items — and deliberately so. This guide explains everything: what a pre-order is, how the deposit system works, when you pay the balance, and what happens when your model arrives in India.
What Is a 1:64 Diecast Pre-Order?
A pre-order means the model you want hasn't been manufactured and shipped yet — it's been announced by the brand (Mini GT, INNO64, Pop Race, Tarmac Works, etc.) with an estimated arrival date, but it doesn't exist in hand yet. By pre-ordering, you're reserving your unit before stock becomes available.
Pre-ordering is the standard way serious collectors secure limited-edition diecast models worldwide. Many sought-after models sell out during the pre-order window and become difficult or impossible to find at retail price afterward. Pre-ordering guarantees your unit at the announced price — you don't have to scramble when stock lands.
How the ₹125 Deposit Works
At Miniature Store, every diecast pre-order requires a ₹125 deposit at the time of reservation. This deposit confirms your order and secures your unit from our allocation.
The ₹125 is not the full price of the model — it is a reservation deposit only. The full price of the model (listed on each product page) is due when your model arrives with us in India. You are never asked to pay the full amount upfront.
For resin and premium collector models, the pre-order deposit is ₹489 — reflecting the higher price point and collector grade of these models.
What Happens After You Pre-Order
- You reserve: Pay ₹125 deposit at checkout. Your unit is confirmed and allocated.
- We keep you updated: As the model progresses through manufacturing and shipping, we update our community on Instagram and WhatsApp with ETA updates.
- Your model arrives in India: When our shipment clears and your model is physically with us, we send you a payment link for the balance amount (full price minus your ₹125 deposit).
- You pay the balance: Once the balance is paid, your order moves to dispatch.
- We pack and ship: Every model is individually bubble-wrapped before dispatch. We share tracking details with you.
- You receive your model: Pan-India delivery, typically 2–5 business days after dispatch depending on your location.
When Do You Pay the Full Price?
You pay the balance — the full price minus your ₹125 deposit — only when your model has physically arrived at our end in India. Not before. Not at the time of pre-order. Only when we have your model in hand and ready to dispatch.
This is our core commitment to every customer: we will never ask you to pay the full amount for something we don't yet have. Your deposit secures your unit. The balance is due when the product exists in our hands.
What If a Model Gets Delayed?
Diecast pre-orders are subject to manufacturer timelines, which occasionally shift. If an ETA changes — for example, a model announced for Q3 2026 gets pushed to Q4 2026 — we update our community on Instagram and WhatsApp as soon as we know.
Your deposit is fully refundable if a model is cancelled by the manufacturer or if you decide to cancel before the model arrives. We handle cancellations on a case-by-case basis — just reach out to us on Instagram or WhatsApp.
What Is the ETA on Pre-Orders?
Each product page lists the estimated arrival quarter or timeframe — for example "Q3 2026" or "60–90 days". These ETAs are provided by the manufacturer and are estimates, not guarantees. We communicate any changes as soon as they're known.
As a general guide:
- Models with ETA "60–90 days" are typically in manufacturing and expected to arrive within that window
- Models with ETA "Q3 2026" or "Q4 2026" are in the earlier production stages
- Models listed as "In Stock" are already with us and can be dispatched immediately
Can You Pre-Order Multiple Models in One Order?
Yes — and many collectors do. Each model in your cart requires its own ₹125 deposit. So if you reserve three models, you pay ₹375 at checkout. Each model's balance is due separately when it arrives, as different models have different ETAs.
How to Reach Us
We're most responsive on Instagram and WhatsApp. For any questions about a specific pre-order, ETA update, or anything else — message us directly. We're collectors too, and we understand the questions because we ask them ourselves.
Ready to reserve your first model? Browse our full pre-order catalogue at Miniature Store — India's home for 1:64 diecast collectors.