Question about auctions

[Grandiloquence]

Apologies in advance if this has been covered before. I notice a lot of people buy stuff from yahoo.JP auctions. How do you go about signing up and deliveries not living in Japan? I feel like I'm missing out a bit on some good stuff being limited to eBay!

[elmer]

There are a few different Japan-based online brokerage companies out there that will place the bids for you, accept the goods, and then forward them on to you.

I've used Jauce.com ... who were nice and professional.

But beware the fees charged ... IMHO it's really only worth buying "big" things. With the small stuff, the fees will nickle-and-dime you into 2x or 3x (or higher) the selling cost.

[mickcris]

I use this place:
http://shoppingmalljapan.com/
there are some extra fees and shipping, but you can still find some good deals and rare stuff.

this is a bit old but it compares some of them:
http://mdl.livejournal.com/9953.html

[CrackTiger]

Apologies in advance if this has been covered before. I notice a lot of people buy stuff from yahoo.JP auctions. How do you go about signing up and deliveries not living in Japan? I feel like I'm missing out a bit on some good stuff being limited to eBay!

There are proxy services like fromjapan with browsers you can use to bid with. You only sign up with the proxy company and they buy the items and receive them before sending them to you. Obviously they charge fees for the process, but you can get many items which rarely show up in English language circles and regular items can still be much cheaper than you'd end up paying in places like eBay.

[Digi.k]

I automatically signed up with buyee.  Yes there are extra fees but I think I got a good deal.  Now I've just won and paid for stuff I gotta wait for the shipping fees once the seller sends them to their distribution offices.

I was after this but I lost the auction around 5am while I was asleep..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151693506435?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649

then I stumbled and ended up winning this. I don't know the asking price of these anymore but I think I got a decent deal.
http://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/198251407



(Unit Price x Quantity of Items) + Buyee Service Fee + Payment Fee)
(8,850 yen ×1 item(s)) + 885 yen + 200 yen

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/TS/system_-_pc_engine_infra_red_c.html

[Otaking]

I haven't done for many years, but I found that using proxy bidding services to buy from Yahoo.jp in the end is much more exspensive than eBay. You have to pay to ship the item from the seller to the proxy, then pay the proxies fees, then pay for shipping to you. The proxy never ships out of Japan using economy shipping, they never mark down the value of the package, so you always have to pay large import fees. As said in the end it's much cheaper to just buy on eBay.
Where you might use a proxy to buy on Yahoo.jp is for really obscure Japanese items, only things that never ever appear on eBay.

The best way to use Yahoo.jp is to have a friend in Japan to buy items for you. When they send it to you get them to mark the value of the package as $1, so no import fees, and use the cheapest method of shipping. This is what I did, but I couldn't buy very much as I didn't want to annoy my friend by buying tons of stuff. I just bought a few things I couldn't get on eBay.

[Digi.k]

I haven't done for many years, but I found that using proxy bidding services to buy from Yahoo.jp in the end is much more exspensive than eBay. You have to pay to ship the item from the seller to the proxy, then pay the proxies fees, then pay for shipping to you. The proxy never ships out of Japan using economy shipping, they never mark down the value of the package, so you always have to pay large import fees. As said in the end it's much cheaper to just buy on eBay.
Where you might use a proxy to buy on Yahoo.jp is for really obscure Japanese items, only things that never ever appear on eBay.

The best way to use Yahoo.jp is to have a friend in Japan to buy items for you. When they send it to you get them to mark the value of the package as $1, so no import fees, and use the cheapest method of shipping. This is what I did, but I couldn't buy very much as I didn't want to annoy my friend by buying tons of stuff. I just bought a few things I couldn't get on eBay.

This is something I am worried about.  Those import, custom and handling fees once they arrive in your country.  I don't think this will be a problem on items less than say 23 USD.

But I'm still thinking the more expensive/rarer stuff could still end up cheaper than what you end up paying for on ebay.

[Otaking]

I haven't done for many years, but I found that using proxy bidding services to buy from Yahoo.jp in the end is much more exspensive than eBay. You have to pay to ship the item from the seller to the proxy, then pay the proxies fees, then pay for shipping to you. The proxy never ships out of Japan using economy shipping, they never mark down the value of the package, so you always have to pay large import fees. As said in the end it's much cheaper to just buy on eBay.
Where you might use a proxy to buy on Yahoo.jp is for really obscure Japanese items, only things that never ever appear on eBay.

The best way to use Yahoo.jp is to have a friend in Japan to buy items for you. When they send it to you get them to mark the value of the package as $1, so no import fees, and use the cheapest method of shipping. This is what I did, but I couldn't buy very much as I didn't want to annoy my friend by buying tons of stuff. I just bought a few things I couldn't get on eBay.

This is something I am worried about.  Those import, custom and handling fees once they arrive in your country.  I don't think this will be a problem on items less than say 23 USD.

But I'm still thinking the more expensive/rarer stuff could still end up cheaper than what you end up paying for on ebay.

I'm not sure but I don't think you will have to pay import fees on $23.

But like I said I've just personally experienced proxies to be more than eBay. They seem really good at first, when you first win the item on Yahoo.jp you think wow that's so cheap. But always by the time you get it and you've paid all the proxy fees, shipping and import fees it works out more expensive.

[Digi.k]

these are the fees from my proxy.  They are to europe but I think you can also check the fees to other countries.  I guess I have to wait and see for myself if it works out better than ebay.

https://buyee.jp/help/yahoo/guide/shipping-fees

[mickcris]

depends on where you are.  in the USA, I have never had to pay import fees.

[mickcris]

I automatically signed up with buyee.  Yes there are extra fees but I think I got a good deal.  Now I've just won and paid for stuff I gotta wait for the shipping fees once the seller sends them to their distribution offices.

I was after this but I lost the auction around 5am while I was asleep..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151693506435?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649

then I stumbled and ended up winning this. I don't know the asking price of these anymore but I think I got a decent deal.
http://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/198251407

(Unit Price x Quantity of Items) + Buyee Service Fee + Payment Fee)
(8,850 yen ×1 item(s)) + 885 yen + 200 yen

lol.  that was me you outbid you jerk!

[Digi.k]

I automatically signed up with buyee.  Yes there are extra fees but I think I got a good deal.  Now I've just won and paid for stuff I gotta wait for the shipping fees once the seller sends them to their distribution offices.

I was after this but I lost the auction around 5am while I was asleep..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151693506435?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649

then I stumbled and ended up winning this. I don't know the asking price of these anymore but I think I got a decent deal.
http://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/198251407

(Unit Price x Quantity of Items) + Buyee Service Fee + Payment Fee)
(8,850 yen ×1 item(s)) + 885 yen + 200 yen

lol.  that was me you outbid you jerk!

whoops.. I made a frantic bid during my lunch break using the shopping mall's wifi earlier and just hoped I'd put enough on there to win, I had like 14 mins left on that auction and the wifi connection was sloooow....sorry man... T___T

[mickcris]

I automatically signed up with buyee.  Yes there are extra fees but I think I got a good deal.  Now I've just won and paid for stuff I gotta wait for the shipping fees once the seller sends them to their distribution offices.

I was after this but I lost the auction around 5am while I was asleep..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151693506435?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649

then I stumbled and ended up winning this. I don't know the asking price of these anymore but I think I got a decent deal.
http://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/198251407

(Unit Price x Quantity of Items) + Buyee Service Fee + Payment Fee)
(8,850 yen ×1 item(s)) + 885 yen + 200 yen

lol.  that was me you outbid you jerk!

whoops.. I made a frantic bid during my lunch break using the shopping mall's wifi earlier and just hoped I'd put enough on there to win, I had like 14 mins left on that auction and the wifi connection was sloooow....sorry man... T___T

Haha, its cool.  im sure another one will come around.  I would have gotten it for 7900 yen had you not bid.  Good thing you did not win that other one as its probably broken.  The YP one looks like it has a better chance of working.

[SuperDeadite]

Another thing to note is with the rise of proxies and international bidders, prices are skyrocketing.  10 years ago, yahoo was a gold mine as it was a lot harder for internationals (which generally bid way higher then locals) to get in.   These days prices aren't much better then ebay, often more expensive depending on where you live in the world.  The real reason to use yahoo these days is for finding extremely rare items that a person wants at any cost.  Not recommended for bargain hunters on a budget.

[Digi.k]

Another thing to note is with the rise of proxies and international bidders, prices are skyrocketing.  10 years ago, yahoo was a gold mine as it was a lot harder for internationals (which generally bid way higher then locals) to get in.  These days prices aren't much better then ebay, often more expensive depending on where you live in the world.  The real reason to use yahoo these days is for finding extremely rare items that a person wants at any cost.  Not recommended for bargain hunters on a budget.

ah well there goes the bargain hunting but it does seem like fees you pay in the end along with shipping will be more or less what you end up paying on ebay.. but still I did managed to hunt this down.  Something I've been wanting to get since 1992 but I missed the chance to buy it still brand new shrink wrapped but it was going for like 60+ USD and I regretted not buying it then because I thought it was too much.. Then like back around 2005 I saw it again (used copy) on ebay and it ended going for 70+ USD and regretably I ended up not bidding.

picked this up for around 4000 yen so kinda pleased.
Falcom Neo Classic CD, which is basically select music tracks from the Falcom games up till around early 90's recorded with the london symphony orchestra.

https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/n44653719

[mickcris]

at least right now the USD is pretty strong against the yen.  Not sure how some of you other guys' currencies are doing against it.  The ebay sellers that are selling in USD are making out better and have not lowered their prices in USD AFAIK as the yen has gone down in value.  Just today $1USD is now 124yen.  So this is one other thing to keep in mind when comparing ebay and Yahoo Auctions.

edit:
im talking more about the ebay sellers with BIN listings.  The auctions are going to go for what they go for no matter what.

But the yen strength should make fees to the deputy services and shipping cheaper.

[ultrageranium]

Another thing to note is with the rise of proxies and international bidders, prices are skyrocketing.  10 years ago, yahoo was a gold mine as it was a lot harder for internationals (which generally bid way higher then locals) to get in.   These days prices aren't much better then ebay, often more expensive depending on where you live in the world.  The real reason to use yahoo these days is for finding extremely rare items that a person wants at any cost.  Not recommended for bargain hunters on a budget.

This.

I got a few things around 2000 via a friend who lived in Japan back then, you could get many things for ridiculously low prices and EU was not as protectionist as it is now, so they were very slack in terms of controlling "gift" imports.

Last year I tried one of these so-called commercial proxies and that is a small sump-up of my experience:
http://assemblergames.com/l/threads/what-is-the-best-value-yahoo-auctions-japan-redirection-service.45785/page-8#post-766740

Bottom line:

• great choice and quality (if you're lucky and careful as Japanese know these auctions are stuffed with foreigners who will have no way to complain due to language and proxy barrier),
• same price or worse once all the fees are taken into account (all these proxy systems use deceptive transparent rules, that is to say that everything is explained but purposefully complicated and obfuscated to make it less obvious what are all the extra charges)

And with further distance on the whole experiment, I can say today that I will probably not use such a service again. Better save the proxy fees for a trip to Japan ;)

[Grandiloquence]

Thanks for the super detailed replies all! I'll read through it properly when I get home from work.

[majors]

Another thing to note is with the rise of proxies and international bidders, prices are skyrocketing.

Recently I started using the proxy FromJapan to purchase some arcade hardware. Specifically, Namco System 256 and a Gundam game, I needed 4 sets for link up play. The current ebay prices where significantly higher when you'd even find one listed. The multiple listings on YAJ where 6500yen for a set(plus fees, etc) and even after the $250 in shipping, I came out $200 ahead plus I scored some random cheapy goodies. I think the "bargains" to be found are on items that in Japan are not valued much(aka pre-gouger). For example, Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting and Final Fight ask for 15000yen all day, which is around what ebay and forums ask for them, so adding in shipping and proxy, it's not a money saving deal.

Grand, I'd suggest go and browse YAJ and look for stuff you want. Get a idea of what they are asking for and getting. FromJapan has a decent front end to manage and watch auctions.

[schweaty]

I automatically signed up with buyee.  Yes there are extra fees but I think I got a good deal.  Now I've just won and paid for stuff I gotta wait for the shipping fees once the seller sends them to their distribution offices.

I was after this but I lost the auction around 5am while I was asleep..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151693506435?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649

then I stumbled and ended up winning this. I don't know the asking price of these anymore but I think I got a decent deal.
http://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/auction/198251407

(Unit Price x Quantity of Items) + Buyee Service Fee + Payment Fee)
(8,850 yen ×1 item(s)) + 885 yen + 200 yen

consider yourself lucky you did not win that first auction.  he was selling it as untested, but at the same time he was selling 2 White PC Engines on ebay.  he had every opportunity to test it, i'm sure he did, and he knows its broken.

That auction was actually a re-list.  I won an auction for the same item from the same seller last week.  he sent me a message asking if i was sure i wanted it since it was "untested."  i responded that he had a 14 day return policy and i would return it if it didn't work.  i also said if he knew it didnt work, he could save us both some time and just refund my money.  he refunded it in less than an hour and relisted it.

if someone on this board bought it, good luck and godspeed.  let me know if you get it to work.

[Grandiloquence]

Thanks one and all. I have read all your responses and decided to check out a few auctions and see if it's worth my while signing up and bidding. If it means there's a chance I can get Coryoon for less than the £200+ on eBay I will be happy!

[Otaking]

If it means there's a chance I can get Coryoon for less than the £200+ on eBay I will be happy!

£200 sounds way too much for Coryoon, unless the price has doubled recently?? last I checked, a few years ago it would sell for around the £100 mark.

[Grandiloquence]

You can get Hucard only for £119, cheapest CIB is £215! Crazy money.

[Digi.k]

If it means there's a chance I can get Coryoon for less than the £200+ on eBay I will be happy!

£200 sounds way too much for Coryoon, unless the price has doubled recently?? last I checked, a few years ago it would sell for around the £100 mark.

I am surprised of the price rise of these 2 game prices of late..  These are the higher priced links i could find.  So if you can get them cheaper on yahoo jp auctions then so be it.

Ninja gaiden
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NINJA-RYUKENDEN-GAIDEN-PC-Engine-JPN-Import-/121230442487?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c39e5bff7

ninja spirit
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC-Engine-Hu-SAIGO-NO-NINDO-Ninja-Spirit-PCE-Grafx-Import-Japan-Game-bbc-pe-/311231146581?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4876d26a55

[Otaking]

If it means there's a chance I can get Coryoon for less than the £200+ on eBay I will be happy!

£200 sounds way too much for Coryoon, unless the price has doubled recently?? last I checked, a few years ago it would sell for around the £100 mark.

I am surprised of the price rise of these 2 game prices of late..  These are the higher priced links i could find.  So if you can get them cheaper on yahoo jp auctions then so be it.

Ninja gaiden
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NINJA-RYUKENDEN-GAIDEN-PC-Engine-JPN-Import-/121230442487?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c39e5bff7

ninja spirit
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PC-Engine-Hu-SAIGO-NO-NINDO-Ninja-Spirit-PCE-Grafx-Import-Japan-Game-bbc-pe-/311231146581?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4876d26a55

Ninja Spirit is truly excellent but quite a common game and for years it used to sell for around £18-£20.

[xcrement5x]

Yeah, even in the last 5 or so years since I have started buying stuff from proxy I have seen prices go up.  At this point though I try to buy lots and ship them via slowboat to save on costs.  Waiting 2 months sucks but it's always super exciting to open the box!

[Digi.k]

 

At this point though I try to buy lots and ship them via slowboat to save on costs.  Waiting 2 months sucks but it's always super exciting to open the box!

2 months delivery time....... T_____T

[Otaking]

ship them via slowboat to save on costs.  Waiting 2 months sucks but it's always super exciting to open the box!

When I was using proxies a few years back they wouldn't ship via economy or surface.
I don't mind waiting the extra time and saving on shipping costs.

[xcrement5x]

ship them via slowboat to save on costs.  Waiting 2 months sucks but it's always super exciting to open the box!

When I was using proxies a few years back they wouldn't ship via economy or surface.
I don't mind waiting the extra time and saving on shipping costs.

I don't think all proxies do, but you are also limited by the size of stuff you can ship via slowboat, you can ship much larger single packages via EMS but you pay more.  There is also a specific rate for just paper (books, magazines, etc) that is super cheap.  SAL Small Packet is a good option with stuff 2kg or less though.

[Digi.k]

just an update.  They received my stuff and now awaiting for me to decide how I want to pay for packaging etc.

This is for the wireless multi tap and controller combo.  It costs an extra 500 yen for protective packaging including the cheapest option for delivery 15-21 days registered bringing up to 2598yen for an item that weighs just over 1000g.  I just got a feeling I am going to be slapped with customs and handling charge when it arrives at my door.  They automatically suggest you go with EMS which took the shipping charge over 4000 yen.  Just to re-iterate I am using Buyee proxy.

/latestscreenshot.jpg

[PunkCryborg]

yeah lately its not worth it. I only buy thing I cant get anywhere else like parts and games for my japanese cabs. I have bought regular game stuff in the past but the deals are pretty much gone and I often see games more expensive than on ebay or forums

[Arkhan Asylum]

Use Buyee.  All the other services are pointless for Yahoo.jp now.   Buyee integrates perfectly with it and charges the same kind of fees as the other places.

They do package consolidating, ship very well, and answer questions.   

I used to use Celga but they went retarded.

FromJapan is your second best bet.  Use it for non YJA stuff.


and yeah, the prices have gone gay.   It's because all the white devils found ways to get on there and buy-to-resell.

[Digi.k]

I got a refund from my proxy for the controller and multi tap. 

Thank you for using Buyee. We are very sorry to inform you that, due to size restrictions for the shipping method you selected, we are not able to ship out your package using that method. The maximum allowed dimensions are below:

※For SAL and Airmail Small parcel, the dimension restrictions are as follows:
　- Length: Maximum 60cm
　- Length + Width + Height: Maximum 90cm

We will make a full refund of the fees you already paid below within 2 business days.

So now I have to go with EMS.

[mickcris]

that sucks.  I have had shopping mall japan send me large boxes with SAL.  Maybe it depends on your location.

[xcrement5x]

I got a refund from my proxy for the controller and multi tap. 

Thank you for using Buyee. We are very sorry to inform you that, due to size restrictions for the shipping method you selected, we are not able to ship out your package using that method. The maximum allowed dimensions are below:

※For SAL and Airmail Small parcel, the dimension restrictions are as follows:
　- Length: Maximum 60cm
　- Length + Width + Height: Maximum 90cm

We will make a full refund of the fees you already paid below within 2 business days.

So now I have to go with EMS. 

That seems really weird.  I did run into this as well when I bought a bunch of JP Saturn units and they had to split it into to 2 boxes to send it by SAL instead of EMS.  I've gotten moderately sized boxes via SAL though.