Are all these your guitars?!?!
Only one guitar. But the jackets were all from Japan's used market. I thought they were very decent deals. Two were BNWT and was on auction for less than half of the Japanese listed price, not the ROW pricing (higher prices charged by their retail partners). I think I got a bit lucky there. Used jackets in larger sizes don't seem to get any traction on the Japanese auction sites. They grade their jackets A, B, C, D. These were all graded A or B, and looks better than any jackets I've bought from Ebay claiming to be BNWT. The only downside is that EMS is still not available to Canada from Japan, so I have to pay double in shipping for UPS/Fedex.
No idea which buying service you are using but I have been using From Japan for quite a while. The shipping did go up but not that much and they do provide up to 10% shipping discount to high roller. I used to use Buyee but have switched to From Japan because of better packing, zero consolidation fee and lower shipping rates. From Japan's Fedex intl economy rate seems more reasonable than Buyee's Fedex rate.
Thanks for the tip! I've been using Buyee for auctions and Zenmarket for local store purchases. Both are ok. I am testing a consolidation this week and see if the results continues to be good. I am definitely giving From Japan a try this week too. I just didn't know about them.
I'll have to check From Japan out sometime. I've also used Buyee quite a bit with few problems, but it's hard to argue against better service with lower fees. The only major problems I've had shipping from Japan using proxy sites is from both UPS and Fedex scamming me by charging $60-80 "clearance fees" for clearing items through customs. It is highly unlikely they actually needed to pay custom fees for the items in question, so their "clearance fees" are just a money grab.
Nice, I unfortunately am similarly sized to many Asian buyers of these jackets and likely wouldn't be able to swoop in and get a bountiful crop like you did!
From Japan has been quite aggressive in pricing. In fact Buyee has been playing catch up in that aspect. Buyee used to charge o percentage on Auction price until FJ came up with a flat fee. FJ does not charge consolidation fee and the free storage period is 45 days, 15 days more than Buyee. FJ also offers 7-10% rebate on Rakuten purchase every Tue-Thurs. You would also get some coupons and points that you can use. With the rebate and coupon you basically do not have to pay the Japanese sales tax. It is true buying from bigger stores like Hinoya may save you some money but the smaller stores are more likely to have clearance sale. Those smaller stores usually only use expensive shipping plans.
I am not sure about Buyee but FJ does offer the option of declaring items as gifts. Whether your custom believe you is of course not FJ's responsibility. Tthere is no duty on imports where I live so I have very limited experience on that. There is a smaller courier called ECMS you can try. Both Buyee and FJ offers ECMS.
Not necessarily. I have got new jackets at a steep discount on Yahoo Auction and sometimes Rakuten not to mention the used ones. I bought all my Rainbow Country jackets from one seller on Yahoo. All brand new and at least 30% discount of the SRP in Japan. I paid 150000 yen for my brand new RM J-24 with green lining size 38 back when the SRP was 199000 yen. I bought it from a small store on Rakuten on clearance since RM had just lauched the current J-24 model with black lining.
Thanks for the info, that might help. I'm US-based, and I have used EMS and DHL in the past with Buyee in the past, and had no problems with surprise fees. I think this might be an issue with UPS and Fedex being real a-holes about charging extra fees just because they picked up the packages from customs - there were no duties charged on the packages in question as far as I can tell. My research told me that these were basically "convenience fees" for clearing them through customs. Could have been an issue with Buyee not bothering to fill out proper customs declarations as well - I bitched about it with Buyee support, and they basically told me to pound sand.
Yeah, this has reflected my experience shopping for jackets from japan sites as well. I've picked up a Lost Worlds, and a couple Electric Leather Studio jackets for a song, relatively speaking. Good deals to be had on Yahoo Auctions and other sites, and they often sit for months-years with no action.
Thanks, get thee behind me Satan!
That's 20 oz canvas I believe! Very robust and super cool! I'd love one of those myself, don't think I 've ever seen one.So I found a size M canvas Lost Worlds on Mercari for around 40€ and bought it. It will take a while before I get it but at the price I'm gambling about the fit.
I lost a Ryder size 38 for less than 180€ but I didn't have any money at the time...
My search for budget price Lost Worlds continues. I'm gambling a bit on sizing but I can't commit to +$1500 without having a size try on for reference.
Looks like a canvas Ryder with the half belt (no back pic)
Reg is ledgend
Nice one.
I don't trust the size tag LW put on their jackets. I have/had three LW jackets. My size 34 A-2 is a like Western size 38. My size 38 J-23 is a true Western size 38 but my size 36 Ryder is more like a Japanese size 36.So I found a size M canvas Lost Worlds on Mercari for around 40€ and bought it. It will take a while before I get it but at the price I'm gambling about the fit.
I lost a Ryder size 38 for less than 180€ but I didn't have any money at the time...
My search for budget price Lost Worlds continues. I'm gambling a bit on sizing but I can't commit to +$1500 without having a size try on for reference.
Looks like a canvas Ryder with the half belt (no back pic)
Ain't it, he has quite a few
Gustin Vintage Heavyweight Sweatshirt - Natural Rainbow Nep - $119 Rugged 14oz cotton that gets better with every wear. 
Grant Stone Diesel Boot Dark Olive Chromexcel - #395 Goodyear welted, Horween Chromexcel, classic good looks. 
Himel Bros. - The Ross Mk. 1 Leather Jacket Classic D-pocket motorcycle/aviator style jacket.
