Buying advice for "FromJapan"

[jamesu]

Hi everybody,
this is my first post with this username. I had another one once, many many years ago but it went lost together with my memories!
Anyway, I have a MT-32, dosbox, plenty of old games and I'd like to complete the setup with a SC-55 mkII.
There are some of those in ebay for about 160$ from Japan, including shipping and buynow option. I think that's a huge amount of money for something that old.
So, I've discovered, reading the forum, that there's an interesting option for buying at yahoo.jp: FromJapan.
My question is: is there anybody who have bought a sound canvas and can tell me how the fees system works?
I didn't quite understood everything and there are some models at 3000-4000 Yen. How much would be the final price? Similar to ebay's?
Thanks to everyone who will kindly answer me.

[endre1952]

Some items I bought recently (I'm located in Hungary):

Untested Playstation 3: 6,825Yen+5384Yen surface shipping and handling

MT-100+SC-55MKII+525Yen+1632Yen+7597Yen combined surface shipping and handling

For smaller items, SAL is both quick and quite cheap.

[jamesu]

Untested Playstation 3: 6,825Yen+5384Yen surface shipping and handling

MT-100+SC-55MKII+525Yen+1632Yen+7597Yen combined surface shipping and handling

For smaller items, SAL is both quick and quite cheap.

I'm from Italy so I think prices should be quite the same...
You're talking about shipping and handling but where do they get their percentage?
In your second example 7500 yen is just for shipping? 
Anyway, thanks for the answer! 

[endre1952]

There is charge 1 and charge 2. Charge 1 was only about 250 Yen more than the final bidding price in my case. If you can believe them, they don't seem to charge much extra money other than the actual shipping costs.

Yes, I paid 7500 Yen for an SC55MKii and an MT-100 packed together, but note: a Playstation 3 is larger and heavier than an SC-55. So shipping for an SC-55 should be lower.

[endre1952]

More detailed info:

AuctionID/Order No    u32927910
Item URL    http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u32927910
Item Description    ソニー　PS3 CECHH00　ジャンク扱い　クロ g1507
Bid Price    6,500
Final Winning Price    6,500 × 1
End Date    2011-01-03 16:58
Order Date    2011-01-03 16:48:55
Charge 1
Payment option    Deposit
①Final Winning Price    6,500
②Our commission    0
③System usage fee( 5%)    325
④Used Point(s)    8
Charge1 Total（①+②+③+④）    6,825(Yen) (System usage fee included)(5%)
⑤Domestic delivery (Charge 2)    960(Yen)
⑥Bank transfer (Charge 2)    168(Yen)
⑦Pending System usage fee of Charge 1 (5%) (Charge 2)    0(Yen)
⑧Tax (Charge 2)    0
⑦Excess charge (Charge 2)    0
⑧Surcharge(Charge2)    0
Charge 2
Payment option    Deposit
Standard domestic delivery charge    960
Bank transfer fee    168
Oversea shipping    4,000
Insurance options    Not insured
Pending System usage fee of Charge 1 (5%)    0
Tax (Charge 2)(Total)    0
Excess charge (Charge 2)(Total)    0
Surcharge（⑩）    0
System usage fee( 5%)    256
Used Point(s)    0
Mark as a gift    Yes
Charge2 Total    5,384(Yen)

[shad0wfax]

I've used FromJapan's services a couple of times and it has been a good experience, with no negative surprises. But you have to consider that you're paying: 1) the price of the item in Yahoo Japan; 2) the price of domestic shipping (from the seller to FromJapan); 3) the price of international shipping (from Japan to Italy), and 4) some fees. So, the final cost is always considerably higher than the "nominal" price of the item at YJ. Despite this, it's possible to get some items (such as midi sound modules) at better prices than in eBay, so it's an interesting option.

Another thing to consider is the time invested until you actually get the item. You have to wait for two shipping processes (one within Japan and another international), and if you want more economic shipping costs, keep in mind that surface mail can easily take two months to get to Europe, and there can be delays at customs (or, even worse, custom taxes). My advice would be using this system only for items hard to get elsewhere or for really good deals.

[jamesu]

My advice would be using this system only for items hard to get elsewhere or for really good deals.

I think I'll follow your suggestion. Since shipping cost is much more than the object itself it has to be a good deal to bid on.

[jamesu]

More detailed info:

AuctionID/Order No    u32927910
Item URL    http://page16.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/u32927910
Item Description    ソニー　PS3 CECHH00　ジャンク扱い　クロ g1507
Bid Price    6,500
Final Winning Price    6,500 × 1
[...]

Thanks.
That was quite informative, my friend!