so I'm awful with money, I think I blank out sometimes just so I don't realize just how much I've spent, and I still don't really know how much is added on with shipping and fees from Celga. So when you buy something that's about $50 us dollars, about how much would you say is added on from fees and shipping?

I normally add $20 on top before shipping from celga to me. thats a good ball park if its less than 10,000 yen.

yup, $20 sounds about right.

20 before shipping from Celga to you, so really it's a little more then? The final invoice is shipping from them to you and that one can be big if you don't wait for a consolidated shipment?

yeah, if its one item it can be a little counter-productive as it comes via EMS. Best to get a big swag together

The other thing that has been bugging me is that they are using an incorrect exchange rate of $1 = 108 yen. It really should be higher like $1 = 112 yen. Almost 4% increase!

what are the other peoples rates like?

shit, it's even worse: As of right now, the exchange rate is $1USD = 115.79 Yen!!

I realize these rates do fluctuate, but I wish that Celga would charge us in Yen, that way when we go to pay with our credit card, we are hopefully using a current exchange rate.

I have been trying to set up a credit card denominated in Yen so my exchange rate is better. I am close to getting it done but so far it has been a battle.

Last year I bought a yen denominated bond when the rate was 118 to 1 to lock in my exchange rate.

(sorry to be a finance geek)

That's a good idea Glenn...let us know how it turns out.

The yen has been around 115 for a while, which, historically speaking, is not too bad if you're using USD for your purchases. I remember some years back when it was at 80 or 90 yen to the dollar. People were seriously freaking out.

Economists can't decide if the yen will continue to strengthen or fall against the USD. Sometimes you read predictions of 130-40, and then you read 100-110. All I can tell you is the Japanese government and businesses very much prefer a weaker yen, since Japan is an export-driven economy, and fluctuations in the exchange rate means billions of dollars in profits or losses when overseas earnings are repatriated.

Unfortunately Paypal has HORRIBLE exchange rates when it comes to paying in foreign currencies. And credit cards now charge extra (usually 3%) if you buy something in a foreign currency. So for now it all stings, but there is probably a mechanism you can use to circumvent the Man (such as using a foreign currency bank account to wire yen).

But for now, making payments with a USD denominated cc is probably still your best bet, unless you have wads of yen you want to use to make payment.

I understand that Yahoo Japan charges a small monthly fee for each bidding account.... about how much is that fee?

I asked Celga about the exchange rate and mentioned that the rate is currently 115 yen, not 108 yen. Here's their reply. $20 is better than a poke in the eye I suppose...

Hello,
I don't know how familiar you are with the way the
exchange rate works, but the rate that's posted on the
financial pages is never the rate you actually get
when you go to do the exchange at the bank. ;_;
If we don't keep at least 5 yen difference from the
posted rate, we lose money. And I'm sure you can
imagine how fast you can lose money at even one yen/$
loss when you're dealing with many thousands of
dollars.

We've been wanting to change it for the better but the
dollar is being especially volatile right now so we're
still a little hesitant.

However, I looked at your history and see that you
spend a good amount with us so I can certainly see how
the exchange rate could hit you particularly hard.
There's no way for us to give you as an individual a
special exchange rate, however, we can give you a
discount. Just looking over your last couple of
invoices and keeping in mind 110 yen/$ being about our
break even, I think we can give you a $20 discount
(applied to your outstanding balance if any or credit
for future auctions).

We'll probably be updating the yen soon, too. ^^

Thank you for your continued support!

thats what i like about celga, they are always willing to work with you put out a show of good faith.

http://www.celga.com/fee.html ...

... celia is cheaper

you must have spent a shitload of money... lol

even if u paid directly w/ your credit card... i'm pretty sure they charge you a surcharge for currency conversion