posted on April 14, 2003 05:45:36 AM new
I have been hit by a rash of bidders from Japan requesting that I allow them to bid on my auctions. I have shipped to Japan in the past & don't have a problem with that, but the items they are asking about a somewhat large (but not heavy) items which would be really expensive to ship.
The other perplexing issue is the stuff they have been liking - vintage shabby chic household items & american advertising?? I have been selling this type of stuff for several years and it has never interested international buyers.
I am starting to feel like I'm missing out on a new scam.
posted on April 14, 2003 06:47:01 AM new
My #1 bestest, nicest, sweetest international bidders have been the Japanese -- always polite, never complaining about shipping or customs forms...unlike some un-named countries (to the NORTH)!
Wish ALL my international bidders were Japanese!
"Think I'm turning Japanese..."
Oh! No! Do ya know what that song was REALLY about??
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?" http://tinyurl.com/5duz
posted on April 14, 2003 07:30:23 AM new
I LOVE my Japanese bidders. I wish I could clone them. I've never had a problem with a sale to Japan, in fact, my experiences have been so positive that when I go back to selling via a site, I have plans to mirror the site in Japanese with help from student from the locl language school.
While we are on the international topic, anyony else have and hate bidders from The Netherlands? I don't know what the deal is but I get two or three winning bids from there a month and 99% of the time, I never see payment. Just this morning I recieved notice from a bidder that won their auction 3 weeks ago.... they are getting ready to send payment.
posted on April 14, 2003 08:10:00 AM new
I just had one from Greece pay me as if they lived in the US. Luckily, paypal is easy to reject. I haven't noticed a large number of Japanese bidders, but it depends on what you sell. My last auction dealing with someone from Japan, they actually underpaid on an item too (paid the US shipping totoal, which was almost 2 pounds so it was quite a substantial difference) - I rejected paypal, emailed them, and within the hour they apoogized, and sent the proper amount.
posted on April 14, 2003 08:32:13 AM newtomwii I just recently learned what that song meant. Yipes.
Marvey I know I've seen stories about the popularity of vintage jeans in Japan. About six months ago, I "rescued" a batch of 70s-era clothing from the local Goodwill and listed some of it, including two dresses from the "Gunne Sax" line. (I don't know how many women out there remember Gunne Sax, but it was my favorite label as a teenager.) I had Japanese bidders on both, one of whom won and was wonderful to deal with. She told me that she was buying for resale and expected to get a good bit more for the dress than she paid me!
posted on April 14, 2003 09:47:34 AM new
TOMWII...MSINGOGNITO...COME ON..GIVE...Please?
What sinister meaning lies in that innocent song of my youth???
JUST WHAT WERE WE ALL POGO-ing TOO?
And yes! I love my Japanese customers...like Tomwii says, they ARE by far the most pleasant to deal with. They pay top dollar, pay immediately, ALWAYS leave kind feedback and never complain....what more do you need?
They seem to like my vintage Kitchen items espcially...things like red & green handled utencils, cute linens, bakelite.....
posted on April 14, 2003 09:49:35 AM new
Japanese are my favorite buyers too, never have had any problems. They are so sweet to deal with
They do buy a lot of vintage clothing like Victorian and Gunne Sax dresses. They are small people so I guess they can fit into them !
As far as vintage American advertising, I saw a Japanese decorating book that a Japanese buyer brought into our antique mall 2 weeks ago and you would have sworn it was for USA buyers. They showed rooms in red, white & blue with American flags (think country with primitives)
Also, a lot of Shabby Chic with white furniture.
Vintage 40s and 50s tablecloths and textiles
A lot of Fire King kitchen bowls, mugs etc.
Anyway, I was shocked, nothing like I would have thought..........all American
