Buying A Cartridge Direct From Japan

Hi Halco,

I also own one of, actually 2 of the MIT-1's. You are not premature with your assessment. I find it very difficult to remove it from rotation once I have it installed. It's one of those cartridges that make you think while laying in bed at night wishing you had remembered to play 'this record or that record' before you turned everything off. It is a stunning cartridge to say the least!
Regards,
Don

Hello Stevecham,

I don't think it's technical advantages that people are looking for in a purchase direct from Japan. There are a lot of cartridges that were just not available outside of Japan (the AT ML 180ooc for example). Many other, like the Highphonic line were and are hard to find outside of the Japanese market. The problem is not just with direct purchase from the manufacturers, but with the auction sites as well. I being an American, can not bid on a auction site in Japan. I have to go through an intermediary with all their added costs.

Regards,
Don

Hello Brf,

And so because Van Del Hull doesn't want to be bothered with answering questions pertaining to 'his' business, we the buying public have to pay someone else to do it for him. Why Should it not be him that pays for the privilege of not being bothered!
Regards,
Don

Brf,

I guess i missed the boat on that one. I should have been charging people who had to deal with my secretary in my behalf (because I didn't want to be bothered)!

I decided to join this Jauce bidding site in Japan. They are an intermediary bidding company. To bid on eBay in Japan, there is no other way to submit a bid that I'm aware of.
It must be noted that their is a $25 bidding fee that will be paid whether you win or not. Yes, even if you lose the bidding auction, you will still have to pay this $25.
I decided to make a purchase and post the findings on this forum for everyone to understand the frustrations that are being expressed.
The item I went after was a Highphonic A-3 phono cartridge.
It took some time to understand my way around this bidding site. Because the site is in Japanese, translation programs had to be implemented. Half the time, I still couldn't understand what was being said in these translations.
I received notice (email), this morning that the item has shipped, therefore I assume all charges that could occur against this auction, have been filed and paid. Nothing moves from point A to point B until the fees get paid.
The following is how it all transpired!

Deposited 2600 'Yen' into Janace bidders account.
I have converted Yen to $ for your better understanding. $1=104 Yen

This 'Yen' deposit = $249.18
Exchange rate Fee = $ 17.37
Won auction = $216.17
Auction Fee = $ 25.00
Bank Fee for Auction payment= $ 2.14
Local Delivery to Jauce warehouse = $ 8.65
Repacking of item for international ship= $ 12.00
Shipping to my home = $ 12.23
Exchange rate Fee for additional deposit
to cover shipping = $ 1.50

Total cost = $295.06
Cost of item= $216.17
Fees = $ 78.89 = 37% of auction price

Interesting adventure! All fees were % amount of selling price so the more you bid, the more the fees will be.
I can only imagine what a nightmare it would be if the item I receive is not as described or get damaged in shipment. I'm keep my fingers crossed. (grin)

Banquo363,

How about listing a few "less fee intensive options"!

Regards,
Don