Question about auctions

[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:
[ul][li]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),[/li][li]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)[/li][/ul]

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.

[xelement5x]

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.

[xelement5x]

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.