Hi - I am looking to buy a couple of things from Mandarake, but the shipping costs are almost as much as the items. I am wondering if I can't get a helpful hand from someone in Japan that can act as a mule or something for me so I can get a more affordable shipping rate, etc. Please let me know if you'd wish to help. Thank you
Good luck. If I have one complaint about mandarake, it’s that there is no package consolidation across the stores. But I guess logistically it’s not feasible.
Thanks Phil. Shipping fees with Mandarake are all over the place. I may see what the items cost separately... sometimes it comes out less due to size rather than weight. If it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. Not a sword I'm going to fall on
... And with the logistics of living in a post-pandemic environment, those costs aren't going to come down. I bought one of those Murakami pancake flower pans and the shipping was double the cost of the item. Not to mention customs tax. It's rough. We should start a sofubi for SB forwarding service over there, ha!
Rather than start a new thread, I thought it made sense to ask on this one whether anyone can recommend a buying service that is an individual (not a Buyee / Zen / etc). I know of M-World but am looking for someone else - I know Moshi Delivery Services are no longer in Japan and I am looking for a similar service: a person who will buy for you and post it on. I've seen something on YJA but it is a bulk listing (wasn't a set when originally sold), so need a service to reach out and see if they will split the items and if they will, I'd like to buy one item and have it sent to me. Obviously happy to pay for this service but searching for someone who does this is not bringing up any options. Anyone use a similar service and can recommend it?
I know there are a good number of other buying services which can - depending on which - communicate with sellers on your behalf for some requests. And I know also of some 'personal shopping services' in Japan. But as to any which are a single individual, that is a bit more difficult to know. Maybe someone here/there could just do you a favour on this one. [Though unfortunately the local helpline is a bit more challenging these days.]
Wouldn’t have to be an individual per say but rather a personal approach rather than the web based services like Buyee and Zen.
Good points about Mandarake, all. I use them and YJA but I need to cut down until we go back to wind powered sailing ships and a toy takes a year to get here or something. BTW there used to be a Japanese guy on ebay who did personal buying; he gave it up when kids started coming, but I hear he's back. Can't remember his name, but I believe that he has an ebay store now as well, so it's searchable.
I'll look around later, I am pretty sure that his name started with M. Not much of a lead. But since it's almost 5am here and I've pulled another all nighter, I may have to take a nap first.
Couldn't find him. But I did run across a seller who seems to be open to you telling him what you're looking for. He's been around for a while and the only dings to his record seem to be either satisfied or by people who just wanted to be angry. He's got some good merch up already. Look for wakuwaku toys. No, I have no connection to him, have just been circling around some of his items.
Only guy I can find is wakuwakutoys (all one word) who is selling some diecast cars. Is this the right person?
Yes, click on the seller to go to his page. He has a lot of toys and a little message at the top of the page about helping you find stuff. Not the cheapest guy, but if he's helpful....
Wakuwaku's list prices on sofvi are mostly ... but, if anyone decides/is able to make contact with him outside of eBay and would not mind sharing an email address w/ me, I would send him my small visual want list and budget amounts, just to see what he says. Thanks in advance!
never got an email, I'm guessing he can only give you that in a private email away from ebay... their rules. Go to the seller's page and contact that way then you can go off site maybe?
