Anyone used a Delivery Service?

[CaptOblivious]

If you've never read them, Just Hungry and Just Bento are really great blogs about Japanese food. A topic that came up recently on those blogs is how to order obscure Japanese cooking implements from shops that neither speak English, nor ship internationally.

 

The answer is that there are several companies who specialize in filling this niche. They order the product for you then ship it to you, for a small commission. Here is a list of some of them (Scroll down a bit).

 

I am intrigued...I suspect that for widely available items, this would not be the cheapest route. But perhaps for harder to acquire items, or Japanese auction sites, these would be worthwhile? Has anyone here use a service like this?

[Guest bill937ca]

I've not tried any of these, but my local supermarket does carry some Japanese items near the sea food counter. All I've purchased so far is a Bamboo Sushi Mat. My food allergies keep me from being adventurous.  There also is a Japanese restaurant about a block from here which I will get into once I know what I'm eating.

 

But I did purchase a Japanese tea pot before Christmas at a Japanese gift store in Toronto. there is also a Japanese paper store in Toronto.  I've seen Manga pads in a stationery/art supply store window just a few doors down the street this weekend. 

 

Things Japanese

 

http://www.thingsjapanese.ca/index.asp

 

The Japanese Paper Place

 

http://www.japanesepaperplace.com/

[CaptOblivious]

Some of these services specialise in Japanese auction sites...which are full of model train products. A modern KOKI container car shows up on US eBay about once every month or so. On Yahoo Auctions Japan, there are literally thousands for sale at any given moment. I can only imagine that there are some rare and difficult-to-obtain model trains just ripe for the picking  ;D This is why I ask...

[Guest bill937ca]

I like you're thinking but i'd think I'd rather deal with a dealer who wants my return business.  How are you going to pay?  Amazon.jp does COD delivery!!!  We are used to only credit cards or Pay Pal when we shop online.  Japan is still very much a cash society.

[Guest bill937ca]

Some of these services specialise in Japanese auction sites...which are full of model train products. A modern KOKI container car shows up on US eBay about once every month or so. On Yahoo Auctions Japan, there are literally thousands for sale at any given moment. I can only imagine that there are some rare and difficult-to-obtain model trains just ripe for the picking  ;D This is why I ask...

 

OK, so I decided to check this out further.

 

Rinky

 

If you sign up on this web site you can bid on Yahoo Japan items

 

http://www.rinkya.com/

 

You can choose shipping method, but they do not give quotes. They're web site says:

 

"You will be sent your shipping charge after your item has been sent to your home country. This invoice also includes all your shipping information, including, weight, items sent, as well as your tracking number. You can pay for this invoice the same way you pay for auctions, through the shopping cart link."

 

My experience is that EMS averages 24% of the order for me.  It could be more or less for other people depending on your location and country.

 

Fees

 

From the Rinkya site and fees are PER auction. 

 

"Commission

(*based on each individual auction. We do not combine auctions for any reason).

$15 base fee plus

$1 per 1000yen up to closing price.

The actual commission is the greater of the above or $20

 

 

Handling Fee $15

*This fee includes any tax, shipping within Japan, bank fees, charges from the seller to us, etc. You will be charged the excess if they equal more than $15."

 

I read this as a minimal fee of $35.

 

"Other Fees

Unfortunately there may be some extra fees associated with your auction that will not be included in your final invoice and you will be billed with a seperate invoice for.

 

These may/may not include the following:

 

  1. 3% fee that seller has charged us.

  2. 5% tax that seller has charged us.

  3. Handling Fee that seller has charged us.

  4. Surcharge for items that use more time & supplies to pack than normal.

  5. $20 late payment fee.

  6. Shipping charge to your home country.  (Actual postal charge plus 25%).

  7. 25% penalty fee for leaving items in the warehouse over 60 days without requesting shipment.

  8. Shipping within Japan that exceeds $10.

  9. $20 fee for bidding on non-auction items and/or cancelling items, which may/may not include seller's fees of 3% and/or listing fee.

  10. $100 penalty fee if bidding on a non-auction or cancelling an auction results in a negative.

  11. Car parts surcharges. (Located here).

  12. In accordance with our credit agreement, you will be responsible for collection costs. (Unpaid auctions).

  13. Bidding on glass cases. See Shipping."

[Guest bill937ca]

This is very interesting.  I had never heard of this before today, but it looks like it requires some research.

 

Ooh!Japan--Shopping Service

 

http://oohjapan.com/index.htm

 

That web site has a railfan link, but it doesn't work.  :(

[kashirigi]

I've heard some good tings about Danke Danke:

http://www.dankedanke.com/en/

 

I have no personal experience with them, though.

 

Unless you spend thousands of dollars/pounds/other, it's still cheaper than a trip to Japan, but probably not as fun.