Where can I buy JE goods?
Hi everyone! I’ve gotten a few questions on where I purchase my JE goods either on Curious Cat and also in DMs on Twitter or LJ. I thought it would be a great way I can share the different ways I purchase my JE goods. In which you can use a few of these ways to get other goods from Japan as well.
[Background on me :)]
First a little background on me:
I am a Japanese-American. In which I do have family and friends in Japan. I’ve had my uncle pick up Arashi 5X10 goods at Tokyo Dome. My friend in Japan has sent me goods from the concerts she’s attended for Arashi and HSJ. Also, my cousins have sent me CD’s as well. Now, for those who don’t know September 4th till the 18th, I was in Japan. For me, I did just order goods and send it directly to my grandma’s place without a proxy service. On Rakuten I had to change it to my grandma’s name because it wasn’t able to get delivered and the same for a package from a friend.
I also used to do a goods service pick up as well. This time I did pick up JE goods for friends. As of right now, I don’t have that service open, because I am currently not in Japan. I may take goods order the next time I do go visit again.
Now let's get into the LJ and Twitter Proxys!
[LJ and Twitter Proxy Service]LJ/Twitter:
I do have a few people I do personally order from that are my friends. Some are people I found on Twitter or LJ through friends or comms on LJ. Some do post on twitter if they are doing a pickup for concert goods or are going to the JE shop to get items. And sometimes will order online off the JE sites for you. Also, some may offer pickup of non JE goods as well. I've had kaji_jshop and doublejan on LJ pick up stage goods and JE shop goods for me. (Before the JE online shop opened). I really do recommend both of them. You just have to check to see if they post on concert goods pick up or not.
Here are a few proxy services companies I’ve used to order my JE goods. I’ve heard about both places from friends. And I’ve had a lot of good experience from both of them.
[Buyee]Buyee:
-Proxy service; there’s a service fee
-buy stuff off Yahoo! Japan Auctions
-if the person you're trying to bid or buy it out on Yahoo! Japan Auctions if there was problems with fake goods you will not be able to bid or buy out the item because they are trying to keep you safe from purchasing fake things
-snipe it now you can put a set amount you're willing to buy the item on Yahoo! Japan Auctions (someone could bid higher then what you put down for the sniper bid, but you can go back and change your sniper bid)
-pay for the items you want first
-shipment price will be given once the item arrives at Buyee
-always coupons where you can get free shipment or free service fee
-free storage up to 30 days
-can combine your packages
-quick shipment
Now you can look up anything you want. When you're just searching for items you won't know if you can try to bid or buy it or not till you click on the item.
Now, if you see the text in red. They will not allow you to place a bid at all. It's a great way to see that you don't buy fake items. Except sometimes it's not something we can control unfortunately but there some that you are warned by.
Example:
Buyee I had stuff shipped on 9/28 Saturday and it arrived to me 10/1. I did use EMS shipping, so it does get to me in a good timely manner.
Next up is Tenso!
[Tenso]Tenso:
-Proxy service; there’s a service fee
-provides a Japanese address to use
-will need ID or passport, etc to verify the address you the package is going to
-free storage up to 30 days
-can combine your packages
-quick shipment
-coupons for free handling fee, free consolidation fee, and free shipment (check your emails, or sometimes the code will be one you can select)
Now, here's an example of an old order of mine. Now the handling fee was 540 yen and consolidatation fee for combining my 2 orders was 500 yen. I did have about 100 shop photos between the 2 orders for my friends and myself. This isn't a bad price. There are places that do put a higher fee for handling fee. I do live in California, so that's what the shipment price is for me. (Don't worry I don't pay for all the shipment myself since I do split it with the people I order the goods for).
For me, I’ve never had a problem with Buyee or Tenso. The packages do arrive in a timely manner. I know there are a few other proxy services, but I have no used them before. Some may have a higher handling fee. I've seen some that are a lot higher for it. And thankfully it's not charged for per item that's in your order.
[Places to buy magazines/CDs/DVD without proxy]Other places that I buy things like magazines, CD's and DVD's without a Proxy service. Would be like CD Japan, Yes Asia, and Amazon. I know both CD Japan and Yes Asia do have their times of free shipment or if you buy a certain total it's free. Now, sometimes things do sell out! I noticed that CD Japan has a small Proxy service that if there's a certain item in demand then they'll offer the proxy to get the items. (I haven't tried it though since I haven't run into that problem). I've also been to Japanese bookstores in LA to get magazines and CD's as well. Unfortunately these places do not sell things like concert goods. At least I haven't found one that does.
If you guys have any questions feel free to ask me. I'm here to help! :)
[Background on me :)]
First a little background on me:
I am a Japanese-American. In which I do have family and friends in Japan. I’ve had my uncle pick up Arashi 5X10 goods at Tokyo Dome. My friend in Japan has sent me goods from the concerts she’s attended for Arashi and HSJ. Also, my cousins have sent me CD’s as well. Now, for those who don’t know September 4th till the 18th, I was in Japan. For me, I did just order goods and send it directly to my grandma’s place without a proxy service. On Rakuten I had to change it to my grandma’s name because it wasn’t able to get delivered and the same for a package from a friend.
I also used to do a goods service pick up as well. This time I did pick up JE goods for friends. As of right now, I don’t have that service open, because I am currently not in Japan. I may take goods order the next time I do go visit again.
Now let's get into the LJ and Twitter Proxys!
[LJ and Twitter Proxy Service]LJ/Twitter:
I do have a few people I do personally order from that are my friends. Some are people I found on Twitter or LJ through friends or comms on LJ. Some do post on twitter if they are doing a pickup for concert goods or are going to the JE shop to get items. And sometimes will order online off the JE sites for you. Also, some may offer pickup of non JE goods as well. I've had kaji_jshop and doublejan on LJ pick up stage goods and JE shop goods for me. (Before the JE online shop opened). I really do recommend both of them. You just have to check to see if they post on concert goods pick up or not.
Here are a few proxy services companies I’ve used to order my JE goods. I’ve heard about both places from friends. And I’ve had a lot of good experience from both of them.
[Buyee]Buyee:
-Proxy service; there’s a service fee
-buy stuff off Yahoo! Japan Auctions
-if the person you're trying to bid or buy it out on Yahoo! Japan Auctions if there was problems with fake goods you will not be able to bid or buy out the item because they are trying to keep you safe from purchasing fake things
-snipe it now you can put a set amount you're willing to buy the item on Yahoo! Japan Auctions (someone could bid higher then what you put down for the sniper bid, but you can go back and change your sniper bid)
-pay for the items you want first
-shipment price will be given once the item arrives at Buyee
-always coupons where you can get free shipment or free service fee
-free storage up to 30 days
-can combine your packages
-quick shipment
Now you can look up anything you want. When you're just searching for items you won't know if you can try to bid or buy it or not till you click on the item.
Now, if you see the text in red. They will not allow you to place a bid at all. It's a great way to see that you don't buy fake items. Except sometimes it's not something we can control unfortunately but there some that you are warned by.
Example:
Buyee I had stuff shipped on 9/28 Saturday and it arrived to me 10/1. I did use EMS shipping, so it does get to me in a good timely manner.
Next up is Tenso!
[Tenso]Tenso:
-Proxy service; there’s a service fee
-provides a Japanese address to use
-will need ID or passport, etc to verify the address you the package is going to
-free storage up to 30 days
-can combine your packages
-quick shipment
-coupons for free handling fee, free consolidation fee, and free shipment (check your emails, or sometimes the code will be one you can select)
Now, here's an example of an old order of mine. Now the handling fee was 540 yen and consolidatation fee for combining my 2 orders was 500 yen. I did have about 100 shop photos between the 2 orders for my friends and myself. This isn't a bad price. There are places that do put a higher fee for handling fee. I do live in California, so that's what the shipment price is for me. (Don't worry I don't pay for all the shipment myself since I do split it with the people I order the goods for).
For me, I’ve never had a problem with Buyee or Tenso. The packages do arrive in a timely manner. I know there are a few other proxy services, but I have no used them before. Some may have a higher handling fee. I've seen some that are a lot higher for it. And thankfully it's not charged for per item that's in your order.
[Places to buy magazines/CDs/DVD without proxy]Other places that I buy things like magazines, CD's and DVD's without a Proxy service. Would be like CD Japan, Yes Asia, and Amazon. I know both CD Japan and Yes Asia do have their times of free shipment or if you buy a certain total it's free. Now, sometimes things do sell out! I noticed that CD Japan has a small Proxy service that if there's a certain item in demand then they'll offer the proxy to get the items. (I haven't tried it though since I haven't run into that problem). I've also been to Japanese bookstores in LA to get magazines and CD's as well. Unfortunately these places do not sell things like concert goods. At least I haven't found one that does.
If you guys have any questions feel free to ask me. I'm here to help! :)