Anybody used Yahoo Japan?

[k-k-k-kenny]

Just wondering - there is some mighty tasty gear there, but my command of Japanese is non-existent, and though they have an English-language site I'm hesitant to dip my toe in the water.

[Demondes]

My wife (Japanese) uses Yahoo Japan and Rakuten for purchasing.  Of the course the purchases are not related to music or Hifi etc.

 

Yahoo still seems to be popular in Japan and has a range of services such as accommodation booking  etc

 

 

What specifically caught your eye with regard to things hifi or music related on Yahoo Japan?

[tuyen]

I purchased a few exotic japanese compression drivers from yahoo japan about 4-5 years ago now. Went through one of those english buying services though, as mosy sellers would not be willing to organise post outside jp.

Went smoothly and items were great.

[k-k-k-kenny]

  On 03/06/2013 at 3:58 AM, Demondes said:

My wife (Japanese) uses Yahoo Japan and Rakuten for purchasing.  Of the course the purchases are not related to music or Hifi etc.

 

Yahoo still seems to be popular in Japan and has a range of services such as accommodation booking  etc

 

 

What specifically caught your eye with regard to things hifi or music related on Yahoo Japan?

Oh well, there are these, just for example:

http://auc.aleado.com/yahoo/lot?auctionID=t320714043

with the matching -

http://auc.aleado.com/yahoo/lot?auctionID=t320714041

Kinda nice ...

[aadz]

Dont they have different voltage i.e. 110v instead of 220v?

[GIGANTIC N TREMENDOUS]

Small discussion here: http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/index.php?/topic/53621-yahoo-japan-any-aussie-users/

 

One thing I did notice was there seems to be a lack of description of the condition or is it the translation(?). In regards to turntables the most that ever gets said is "function checked", seems like a large risk.

[k-k-k-kenny]

Thanks both

 

Yes, they use 100 V - step down transformers are the order of the day. I wouldn't be buying a turntable, Campbell, so sky's the limit for me!

 

I should oughta have searched the forums for yahoo! japan instead of yahoo japan before I started this thread ...

[daemon d]

I bought parts for my Sumiko arm there about two years ago. I tried using google translate which was a major fail, and got a friend to translate for me. Everything went smoothly after the communication were under control, and got my hard to find genuine parts with no trouble.

[The Fez]

We need teh AUD to hold against the Yen too...That helps! 

[Tachikoma]

I buy a lot of gear from Japan. I found most sellers on YJ very honest and a pleasure to deal with, as long as you go through a deputy service (rakuten, etc). I use Goody-Japan because they seem to be the cheapest.

Edited June 3, 2013 by Kamikari

[Sam Z]

I've brought a few bits and pieces over from JP that I couldn't get anywhere else. The costs add up, especially if you need to use FedEx, pay taxes on expensive gear, buy stepdown converters, etc. But they do have some nice gear, it's great for certain things which are hard to find or just ridiculously priced over here.

 

The Japanese sellers on YAJ tend to be very honest and upfront, although if something is sold as untested, it probably doesn't work. I've bought a couple of things listed as untested and all were DOA. Also their pictures are usually so tiny that cosmetic flaws tend not to show up, so be mindful of that.

 

Oh and some of the auction deputies are not very good at safely packing heavy, fragile electronics.

Edited June 5, 2013 by Sam Z

[vintagejapan]

I have bought many things from Yahoo Japan, in fact at the moment I am totally infatuated with their vintage hi-fi gear. You can get very high end stuff, similar stuff on today gear will command thousands and in my opinion its not necessary better. I do live in Japan at the moment, although when I was in Sydney used to run step-down transformers with no issues at all.

 

It is luck of the draw, if gear is listed as "not tested" you are taking risks. 

[k-k-k-kenny]

There is reason for your infatuation.

[vintagejapan]

Ditto, today I swapped my power amps, been running a Yamaha B-2 recapped for a few days, my other amp that I run usually is a Luxman M-05.

 

Now the B-2 may not look much to the eye but, has a unique sound. Just gorgeous, it reminds me a triode mode on tubes but with odes of bass, and the detail is there without being in your face. 

 

I expected 105watt of pure class A on the Luxman to be far superior but the B-2 held it self with grace.

 

I have decided to hold on to it. Really well matched with the NS-1000x speakers 

[Luc]

Signed up with Goody-Japan(weird name...) and everything was fine until the final step where they ask for a 100 yen from your paypal account to be sent to them. i'm holding off on that part as I don't know whether I'll be buying from them.

 

As far as freight goes from Japan, is it on a par with the USA any dearer  or cheaper?

[Candyflip]

I've used YJP, but not for audio.

[The Fez]

Shipping from Japan can be an issue. AFAIK There is a 20kg limit on imports via EMS service into Australia. That's probably got to do with Australia Post post weight limits.

You'll notice weight maximums of 30kg mentioned via various methods on the websites of the various proxy services.

But be aware that packed weight for items may easily exceed 20kg.

And I think the 20kg limit applies to surface also.

You may find that FedEx is the only option.

Sent from my XT925

[vintagejapan]

Japan post does accept up to 30kg on economy airmail and surface however the items L W and H must not exceed 2m.

EMS dimensions can be up to 3metres but only up to 20kg.

 

Fedex, DHL and couriers are pricier.

[Marcus Strange]

I used Sendico and bought many items from Japan and get my package safely. They offer multiple payments option & payment methods.