Shopping online in Japan / Tokyo (for camera)
Hi! I'm planning to buy a camera online while staying in Tokyo. (Yes, it's much cheaper there and I'm aware of the warranty issues, interface possibly being set to Japanese etc).
So basically I just search kakaku.com, choose the lowest price, enter my details (finding out what they are asking for with google translate), and they deliver it to my hotel? Can I pay with cash it's credit card only? Are there any bait-and-switch scams in TYO or any store will be OK? Anything else to be aware of? Guess I can't ask them to remove tax, can I? |
Originally Posted by Viks
(Post 18826254)
Hi! I'm planning to buy a camera online while staying in Tokyo. (Yes, it's much cheaper there and I'm aware of the warranty issues, interface possibly being set to Japanese etc).
So basically I just search kakaku.com, choose the lowest price, enter my details (finding out what they are asking for with google translate), and they deliver it to my hotel? Can I pay with cash it's credit card only? Are there any bait-and-switch scams in TYO or any store will be OK? Anything else to be aware of? Guess I can't ask them to remove tax, can I? Bait and Switch in Japan by a proper business? Ah, no. |
Kakaku.com's store listing are the smaller, non-chain types. A quick glance shows most stores only accept 代金引換 (cash on delivery) or 銀行振込 (bank transfer) for delivery orders. This might create complications with hotel as third party in the transaction.
I have done this in the past, using kakaku.com to do price research, but purchased the camera at a physical store in Akihabara that sells it at the same price as their web site/kakaku.com. Look at the "在庫・発送の目安" (in stock, shipping) column for "店頭同価" (same price in store), and "地域" (region) column for "東京" (Tokyo). Check the store web site for directions to the stores. Also, it will be easier to inquire if they can do 免税 (menzei, tax exemption) in person, as the merchant will need to see your passport and staple the form into it. Not all stores can process tax exemption. Bait and switch or grey market goods should not be a problem, but check over the model number and warranty certificate, which should bear the store's chop, just in case. |
Originally Posted by Viks
(Post 18826254)
Hi! I'm planning to buy a camera online while staying in Tokyo. (Yes, it's much cheaper there and I'm aware of the warranty issues, interface possibly being set to Japanese etc).
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Thanks! Regarding payment – I would actually prefer paying in cash since I have accumulated quite a lot of yen.
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Originally Posted by armagebedar
(Post 18827417)
Beyond the usual language issues, I recommend shopping at a brick-and-mortar (or reinforced concrete, as it were) store, both because you can test the exact unit you buy on the spot and because prices from online stores that accept credit cards aren't appreciably lower than those from the big electronics retailers. Also, Yamada Denki will often be willing to lower their price to meet you halfway compared to the lowest prices on kakaku.com. The tax rebate process is easier as well.
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Originally Posted by armagebedar
(Post 18827417)
Also, Yamada Denki will often be willing to lower their price to meet you halfway compared to the lowest prices on kakaku.com. The tax rebate process is easier as well.
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Originally Posted by msb0b
(Post 18826443)
I have done this in the past, using kakaku.com to do price research, but purchased the camera at a physical store in Akihabara that sells it at the same price as their web site/kakaku.com. Look at the "在庫・発送の目安" (in stock, shipping) column for "店頭同価" (same price in store), and "地域" (region) column for "東京" (Tokyo). Check the store web site for directions to the stores. Also, it will be easier to inquire if they can do 免税 (menzei, tax exemption) in person, as the merchant will need to see your passport and staple the form into it. Not all stores can process tax exemption.
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Originally Posted by armagebedar
(Post 18827417)
The tax rebate process is easier as well.
Double the sales tax? Japanese see hit to wallets, little impact on national debt | MinnPost |
Originally Posted by Viks
(Post 18829409)
Does it matter in which branch I try to bargain? With some effort I found Yamada Denki Shinbashi which is quite close to my hotel, I'll probably try that one first.
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I will just put in a good word for Fujiya camera shop in Nakano. You'll find helpful, knowledgeable staff and very competitive prices; there's also a fair selection of used cameras and lenses if you want to save a bit more money. Much more pleasant than shopping at the chain shops, and roughly the same price.
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What kind of camera? My experience is USA is cheaper.
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Originally Posted by EZETravel
(Post 18847230)
What kind of camera? My experience is USA is cheaper.
I have bought cameras in Japan three times: once, as a student, because I didn't want to be the only person in the entire country taking pictures with a Kodak Instamatic, and twice on later trips because my existing camera broke. The prices are about the same as or more than in the U.S., especially with the yen stronger than it has ever been in my lifetime (about ¥80 to the U.S. dollar). If you MUST buy a camera in Japan, I'd suggest going for discontinued or second-hand models. |
Originally Posted by ksandness
(Post 18847601)
If you MUST buy a camera in Japan, I'd suggest going for discontinued or second-hand models.
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if I pay for my purchase in credit card online ahead of delivery time, how likely are Japanese hotels be willing to receive packages for me, if it might get delivered before my stay?
I am in a similar situation, but instead of camera, I am thinking of buying some toys that are cheaper online. I will be staying in a hotel for 5 nights, which gives the delivery time a decent margin of error, but still, if possible I would like to have it delivered earlier, to make sure that I can get it before I check out and leave Japan. I am wondering if it is too weird to ask the hotel to receive something before I check in... |
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