Yamatoku-Classic Combined Shipping

[LowRes]

So I like buying junk from Japan and I've started to really like ebay seller Yamatoku-Classic since everything I've bought from them has been in really good condition and doesn't look like they attempt to repair anything.  It's like they do a quick test and if something isn't working properly it's Junk and put it back in the box.  I like that.

The problem is their shipping is high no matter what the item is.  They do offer combined shipping and offer to wait 14 days from the first winning auction for payment.  Has anybody combined shipping with them and it worked out well?  Before I started buying pc engine stuff I bought a couple famicom disk system games off them and the combined shipping invoice they sent me didn't work when I went to pay.  I ended up paying the high shipping twice and they were not willing to refund me any shipping.  So I'm curious what experiences you guys have had with them.

Now I only bid on large items from them or systems in the box to make it worth the shipping cost and I've got a few good deals that way.   

[Gypsy]

They used to have really cheap shipping but I think they got dicked quite a bit. Anyway they are known to shill bid so buyer beware.

[Flare65]

They used to have really cheap shipping but I think they got dicked quite a bit. Anyway they are known to shill bid so buyer beware.

I can't remember which message board it was, but there were a group of people who proved that they manipulate bids some how to drive up their own auction prices. 

I bought a few megadrive games off them a few years ago when the shipping prices were a bit more reasonable.  Now it's an arm and a leg no  matter what you buy.  Especially complete systems.

[nectarsis]

I have a bundle that should be here Monday shipping was a tad high but with a combined it wasn't too terrible and the prices were decent with $0.01 start bids so if they shill bids.. I still didn't overpay in my opinion

[Gypsy]

They used to have really cheap shipping but I think they got dicked quite a bit. Anyway they are known to shill bid so buyer beware.

I can't remember which message board it was, but there were a group of people who proved that they manipulate bids some how to drive up their own auction prices. 

I bought a few megadrive games off them a few years ago when the shipping prices were a bit more reasonable.  Now it's an arm and a leg no  matter what you buy.  Especially complete systems.

It was on another board but linked to by the user that proved it here I believe.

Who knows if they still do it and they don't have time to shill everything but just something to keep in mind with higher ticket stuff in particular.

[Koa Zo]

So I like buying junk from Japan and I've started to really like ebay seller Yamatoku-Classic since everything I've bought from them has been in really good condition and doesn't look like they attempt to repair anything.  It's like they do a quick test and if something isn't working properly it's Junk and put it back in the box.  I like that.

The problem is their shipping is high no matter what the item is.  They do offer combined shipping and offer to wait 14 days from the first winning auction for payment.  Has anybody combined shipping with them and it worked out well?  Before I started buying pc engine stuff I bought a couple famicom disk system games off them and the combined shipping invoice they sent me didn't work when I went to pay.  I ended up paying the high shipping twice and they were not willing to refund me any shipping.  So I'm curious what experiences you guys have had with them.

Now I only bid on large items from them or systems in the box to make it worth the shipping cost and I've got a few good deals that way.   

I've been shopping with them for over 15 years.
Indeed they were getting dicked with rip-off claims so they had to pay for tracking on all shipments, that is why the base price (to the USA) is $14.
They definitely had some growing pains maybe two years ago when they went to their new shipping system, where invoices were mixed up or not combined correctly. I haven't seen that issue in the past year or more though.
They've been right on point with the 14 day limit, that's something from eBay's rules I think.

3-4 games is what I usually shoot for in an order
2 games is typically $15-16 shipping, 3 games is 16-17, etc
I recently got a package with 7 games shipped for $26, but that included some light-weight Gameboy and GBA games.
Be aware, there is a tipping point that may screw your savings. If the combined package is over a certain weight, then it must be shipped via EMS and the price will drastically jump.
I know one time my per game average was to be like $3 shipping, but then I bought one more and the weight went over and had to go EMS, then my average was like $5 each. I asked them to split the shipment in two and use regular Air but they wouldn't do that.

I've definitely seen some price anomalies in their listings that would indicate shill bidding, but that's never impacted my shopping. I never have a hard time getting good games or accessories for very good prices.

One thing I have to say, Yamatoku always impresses me wit their meticulous packaging. everything is bubble wrapped so perfectly, and the items are tetrised into the boxes by pros. It's often impressive opening up a big order and seeing how they've packed it.

[xelement5x]

I also used to use Yamatoku a lot but have cut back as of about 5 years ago maybe.  Like others mentioned, their shipping got a bit wonky awhile back so I rarely ever purchase from them.  They used to have a system that allowed you to calculate the shipping through their site, then request that amount as your invoice, but I think they got rid of it.

For me, when shipping from Japan the best bet is always (if a few things) SAL Small Packet with tracking.  Max of 2 kilograms but that's still a fair bit of stuff.  Normally takes like 2-4 weeks, but I am patient.

[Gypsy]

For me, when shipping from Japan the best bet is always (if a few things) SAL Small Packet with tracking.  Max of 2 kilograms but that's still a fair bit of stuff.  Normally takes like 2-4 weeks, but I am patient.

This is a really good way to do it.

On a single game I'm always willing to take the super cheap non-tracked rate for really light weight stuff but I can understand why lots of sellers don't want to do that. Did this with the last two games and a toy I got from Japan. Shipping is only like a couple bucks or so this way.

[CZroe]

I’ve been buying from them since I signed up for eBay almost 19 years ago. They can’t say so for obvious reasons but I figured out that they are deliberately trying to keep the values claimed on customs forms under a certain amount per-package so that you don’t get slapped with hefty customs duties/taxes. That’s also why they split up your larger orders into multiple packages even though it might cost more to ship. By inflating the shipping and “handling” charges, they actually save you money as long as you factor it into your bids. That’s because they can write a much lower value on the item itself when you bid less and pay the same as you would if shipping were lower (you don’t pay customs/duty taxes on the cost of shipping and handling).

I’m definitely concerned about the allegations of shill bidding but I haven’t experienced it in any of their auctions that I have participated in. I usually make a large order every few years including one just a couple months ago (Neogeo AES stuff, ASCII GCN keyboard controller, gold N64 for UltraHDMI, etc).

[roflmao]

I haven't experienced noticeable shill-bidding from them either.

[soop]

I got something from them, paid and then asked if they'd be willing to combine if I bought more stuff.  They declined, so I didn't but that's completely within their right.  I did get a really cheap boxed toploading famicom from them though.  If you're willing to be patient on the stuff that they have for sale quite frequently, you'll probably eventually get a decent price, even with the shipping

[VmprHntrD]

So if I order from them since their base shipping (like a on Gameboy game) seems like a $14 ripoff, if I were going with just stand alone HuCards, how many would keep you out of the shipping bump?

I know with the case you're probably cutting that amount to probably 1/3 or 1/4 of that with the case and manual there.

[Kavas]

I ordered something from them 2 days ago. They shipped it out immediately. First time ordering from them. Wondering how it will go 

[CZroe]

So if I order from them since their base shipping (like a on Gameboy game) seems like a $14 ripoff, if I were going with just stand alone HuCards, how many would keep you out of the shipping bump?

I know with the case you're probably cutting that amount to probably 1/3 or 1/4 of that with the case and manual there.

It’s less about how many and more about what the total value is. They are trying to keep the value of each package under some unspecified amount so that you will not be asked to pay customs/duty taxes to the postal service to receive your delivery. As long as that shipped Game Boy game was worth over $14 and you bid less accordingly, it makes sense. When you buy $200 of stuff from them that way and it comes in three packages, they just did you a solid.

By shifting more of that cost into “handling” fees, they can get more in a single package so that combined shipping discounts are still feasible, even if the shipping and handling discount isn’t as drastic as you might’ve hoped.

[xelement5x]

So if I order from them since their base shipping (like a on Gameboy game) seems like a $14 ripoff, if I were going with just stand alone HuCards, how many would keep you out of the shipping bump?

I know with the case you're probably cutting that amount to probably 1/3 or 1/4 of that with the case and manual there.

It’s less about how many and more about what the total value is. They are trying to keep the value of each package under some unspecified amount so that you will not be asked to pay customs/duty taxes to the postal service to receive your delivery. As long as that shipped Game Boy game was worth over $14 and you bid less accordingly, it makes sense. When you buy $200 of stuff from them that way and it comes in three packages, they just did you a solid.

By shifting more of that cost into “handling” fees, they can get more in a single package so that combined shipping discounts are still feasible, even if the shipping and handling discount isn’t as drastic as you might’ve hoped.

Really this is only relevant if you live in a country where customs/duty is charged.  In the US I have never paid customs on a foreign parcel, so I'd rather they ship all as one fat bundle and save me on shipping.  The only exception is if it is something rare/very expensive that I want to have insurance on and declared value is more than a given delivery method will cover.