yep. you can't act like you can buy someone, and you also don't want to put somebody in a situation where they have to flat out say no or that they won't/can't do something.

maybe he's a collector and just likes to display them. or maybe he thinks he could get alot more for it in the future.

so no one has answered...why do they put stuff out in a display case and say "not for sale". wouldn't you just have it in your private collection?

You could see it every day whilst at work.

plus don't Span do this too?

...and we all know how much love span gets...

showing off?

I've purchased toys from stores that do this.

maybe they don't have room for all that stuff at their house!! haha, I know if I owened a toy store I would display my toys there!!



I totally agree with you John!! there is certain things that we do that are disrespectful to other cultures.

When I first got to Yokosuka the Navy made me take a weeks worth of classes. Most of that was on Japanese culture. Very helpful. Found out quickly that when you don't walk around like a big obnoxious gaijin, people are friendly and helpful!!!

If they think you are cool, and dont directly ask, but just sort of respectfully drool, buy something else expensive, then go back later...sometimes 'not for sale' magically becomes 'for sale'.

My experience anyways.

Also, a certain percentage of sellers dont want to sell to foriegners. Feels it degrades the toys. Or so I have been told.

just because something is in a shop,,,doesn't mean it is for sale....

the owners have a right to display their own possessions..

this seems to happen in a lot of the toy shops in japan...i look at it as a mini-museum or exhibition....

it is good to see things that are unobtainable sometimes...

another thought...
alot of people spend a lot more time at work than at home. makes sense to display them where you'll see 'em

and to share the love with others:wink:

i still comes off tacky to me but that's just my opinion.

A lot of shops have a shelf or two (within a shop of THOUSANDS of toys) that is the store's personal collection. They are usually rare or special items. They are not shown as a "showoff" but a bit more of a pedigree statement combined with collector empathy. Real die-hards know the "special" stuff, and it is easy to strike up a conversation about them. Everyone appreciates these rarities, and if you are the right kind of collector, it is exciting just to see these toys, even if you cannot own them. Sometimes they even let you look at them out of the case just so you know what you are missing!

In my opinion, it is always cool to at least SEE some of these rarities, otherwise they would be locked away in a collection never to be seen again.

If you were at these stores it would make a lot more sense. The guys who own these stores know their shit better than anyone, they must spend tons of time tracking stuff down at flea markets and toy fairs, they are the real hardcore collectors. Seeing a little bit of thier collection is fantastic.

BTW: look what showed up on yja:
http://page9.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k38469619

480,000 Yen???!!!

those dogs on the right side of the pic are going on sale a week (and a bit) from now at Jarinko... killer colors...

another

http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m33939144

Where can i find info on this guy ??

Hey, they made a figure out of Josh's painting!!! He should sue them...

S7 mag did an article a while ago on Barom-1. I am not sure what issue. If that fellow was not broken it would be mine.

Thats it from now on with every order I'm gonna buy a back issue. There is just to much good stuff I missed out on.

you willing to buy it for that price? whistle... but i guess it wouldn't be for that price if the antennae is in place.

I must look at these pics atleast once a day, if not more, and I'm happy with just looking, owning would be a far off dream

it kinda reminds me of the old Kenner Boba Feet 14", with very loose arms and legs that cannot stand up. You spend 5 mintues just trying to stand the fucker up.