So what is the story with these eBay retailers from Japan?
- chromebone
- Posts: 454
- Joined: Apr 08, 2018
So what is the deal these eBay sellers from Japan listing horns and mouthpieces at these outrageous prices that no sane person would consider?
[url]https://www.ebay.com/itm/306688740631
$11,900 for a SS Duo Gravis? And it doesn’t even have the gold wash? What is the business model here? These listings just end up staying for months or even years in some cases.
$11,900 for a SS Duo Gravis? And it doesn’t even have the gold wash? What is the business model here? These listings just end up staying for months or even years in some cases.
- Burgerbob
- Posts: 6327
- Joined: Apr 23, 2018
This was the case for a LONG time before the recent downturn of the Yen. I think those are just very high going market rates for some instruments in the Japan market.
I actually excluded Japan from my ebay searches for years because it would just be flooded with $6000 used Bach 50Bs. Looks like we're returning to that!
I actually excluded Japan from my ebay searches for years because it would just be flooded with $6000 used Bach 50Bs. Looks like we're returning to that!
- JohnL
- Posts: 2529
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
It's not a common instrument here in the USA, so I expect you'd be hard pressed to find one in Japan. It looks pretty nice, and it does have a D crook. Maybe the seller really thinks they can get that much for it.
Then again, maybe this listing is just part of someone's sales strategy.
I plan to keep an eye on it, just to see what (if anything) transpires.
Then again, maybe this listing is just part of someone's sales strategy.
I plan to keep an eye on it, just to see what (if anything) transpires.
- ithinknot
- Posts: 1339
- Joined: Jul 24, 2020
It's not a real price... because that's not the real seller.
These accounts all function as casual forwarding services. Look at the "Seller's other items" for the listing linked above; it's a more-or-less random assortment of items with no consistency in the photography. They take real listings from JDM shops and online marketplaces (which are nearly always closed to overseas buyers) and repost on US eBay with a shipping and service markup that's anywhere between moderate and insane. If you buy, they purchase the item and export it to you. This sort of thing has been around for a long time, though these days most of the accounts are probably wholly automated. It's not a scam, but the model depends on low information buyers. The feedback tends to include quite a few complaints about cancellations... because of course sometimes by the time they attempt to buy the item on your behalf, it's already gone.
Between reverse image search, a VPN, and knowing where to look, it's usually possible to track down the original listing, in which case you can employ a reputable forwarding company instead. Obviously, they don't work for free either, but the fees tend to be straightforwardly service-related rather than commission.
These accounts all function as casual forwarding services. Look at the "Seller's other items" for the listing linked above; it's a more-or-less random assortment of items with no consistency in the photography. They take real listings from JDM shops and online marketplaces (which are nearly always closed to overseas buyers) and repost on US eBay with a shipping and service markup that's anywhere between moderate and insane. If you buy, they purchase the item and export it to you. This sort of thing has been around for a long time, though these days most of the accounts are probably wholly automated. It's not a scam, but the model depends on low information buyers. The feedback tends to include quite a few complaints about cancellations... because of course sometimes by the time they attempt to buy the item on your behalf, it's already gone.
Between reverse image search, a VPN, and knowing where to look, it's usually possible to track down the original listing, in which case you can employ a reputable forwarding company instead. Obviously, they don't work for free either, but the fees tend to be straightforwardly service-related rather than commission.
- ithinknot
- Posts: 1339
- Joined: Jul 24, 2020
Here's your SS DG: https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x1205805040
Bidding at 1000000 JPY and Buy It Now at 1200000, so in this case the real asking price is also unreasonably high, but the eBay reseller price is still close to double
Bidding at 1000000 JPY and Buy It Now at 1200000, so in this case the real asking price is also unreasonably high, but the eBay reseller price is still close to double
- chromebone
- Posts: 454
- Joined: Apr 08, 2018
[quote="ithinknot"]It's not a real price... because that's not the real seller.
These accounts all function as casual forwarding services. Look at the "Seller's other items" for the listing linked above; it's a more-or-less random assortment of items with no consistency in the photography. They take real listings from JDM shops and online marketplaces (which are nearly always closed to overseas buyers) and repost on US eBay with a shipping and service markup that's anywhere between moderate and insane. If you buy, they purchase the item and export it to you. This sort of thing has been around for a long time, though these days most of the accounts are probably wholly automated. It's not a scam, but the model depends on low information buyers. The feedback tends to include quite a few complaints about cancellations... because of course sometimes by the time they attempt to buy the item on your behalf, it's already gone.
Between reverse image search, a VPN, and knowing where to look, it's usually possible to track down the original listing, in which case you can employ a reputable forwarding company instead. Obviously, they don't work for free either, but the fees tend to be straightforwardly service-related rather than commission.[/quote]
Thanks for that explanation, at least in theory that’s a business model that makes some sort of sense, although they don’t always get the pricing right. I was looking at the seller’s other items. Most are musical instruments, some are outrageously priced, some are a bit on the expensive side, and a few are a good deal like this one.
[url] https://www.ebay.com/itm/306690831590
Fretless Rickenbacker basses are desirable and uncommon; this is pretty much the going price for one.
These accounts all function as casual forwarding services. Look at the "Seller's other items" for the listing linked above; it's a more-or-less random assortment of items with no consistency in the photography. They take real listings from JDM shops and online marketplaces (which are nearly always closed to overseas buyers) and repost on US eBay with a shipping and service markup that's anywhere between moderate and insane. If you buy, they purchase the item and export it to you. This sort of thing has been around for a long time, though these days most of the accounts are probably wholly automated. It's not a scam, but the model depends on low information buyers. The feedback tends to include quite a few complaints about cancellations... because of course sometimes by the time they attempt to buy the item on your behalf, it's already gone.
Between reverse image search, a VPN, and knowing where to look, it's usually possible to track down the original listing, in which case you can employ a reputable forwarding company instead. Obviously, they don't work for free either, but the fees tend to be straightforwardly service-related rather than commission.[/quote]
Thanks for that explanation, at least in theory that’s a business model that makes some sort of sense, although they don’t always get the pricing right. I was looking at the seller’s other items. Most are musical instruments, some are outrageously priced, some are a bit on the expensive side, and a few are a good deal like this one.
Fretless Rickenbacker basses are desirable and uncommon; this is pretty much the going price for one.
- hyperbolica
- Posts: 3990
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
A couple of years ago I had pretty good results with some Japanese sellers. I bought a couple of Yamahas (say a model 455, maybe a 350c) in fantastic condition for around $750 with free shipping that only took a couple of days.
Don't write off all Japanese sellers, but do pay attention. There are good deals to be had.
Don't write off all Japanese sellers, but do pay attention. There are good deals to be had.
- ithinknot
- Posts: 1339
- Joined: Jul 24, 2020
[quote="hyperbolica"]Don't write off all Japanese sellers, but do pay attention. There are good deals to be had.[/quote]
Very true... it's just that there are even better deals to be had on the exact same item if you step away from eBay :good:
Very true... it's just that there are even better deals to be had on the exact same item if you step away from eBay :good:
- norbie2018
- Posts: 1051
- Joined: Apr 05, 2018
[quote="ithinknot"]<QUOTE author="hyperbolica" post_id="291776" time="1767462003" user_id="104">
Don't write off all Japanese sellers, but do pay attention. There are good deals to be had.[/quote]
Very true... it's just that there are even better deals to be had on the exact same item if you step away from eBay :good:
</QUOTE>
Where are those other places?
Don't write off all Japanese sellers, but do pay attention. There are good deals to be had.[/quote]
Very true... it's just that there are even better deals to be had on the exact same item if you step away from eBay :good:
</QUOTE>
Where are those other places?
- ithinknot
- Posts: 1339
- Joined: Jul 24, 2020
[quote="norbie2018"]Where are those other places?[/quote]
See above - Yahoo is the origin in most cases, though some of these accounts trawl more widely
See above - Yahoo is the origin in most cases, though some of these accounts trawl more widely
- hyperbolica
- Posts: 3990
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="ithinknot"]
See above - Yahoo is the origin in most cases, though some of these accounts trawl more widely[/quote]
That's pretty vague, and at the end of the day the prize is pretty poor - midline Yamahas.
See above - Yahoo is the origin in most cases, though some of these accounts trawl more widely[/quote]
That's pretty vague, and at the end of the day the prize is pretty poor - midline Yamahas.
- ithinknot
- Posts: 1339
- Joined: Jul 24, 2020
[quote="hyperbolica"]That's pretty vague, and at the end of the day the prize is pretty poor - midline Yamahas.[/quote]
Well, the longer answer is that the source could be literally anywhere - which is why I mentioned the need for reverse image search - and the eBay resellers that seem to specialize in instruments do sometimes lift from brick-and-mortar Tokyo shops... but Yahoo Japan Auction accounts for the vast majority, with the odd contribution from the non-auction craigslist-style sites like Rakuma or Mercari. Yamahas are unsurprisingly cheaper in Japan, sure, but other brands are well represented and like any market there are bargains if you're not in a hurry. I bought the best-playing Bach I've ever met (an early Corp LT12) from Japan for just under $600.
Well, the longer answer is that the source could be literally anywhere - which is why I mentioned the need for reverse image search - and the eBay resellers that seem to specialize in instruments do sometimes lift from brick-and-mortar Tokyo shops... but Yahoo Japan Auction accounts for the vast majority, with the odd contribution from the non-auction craigslist-style sites like Rakuma or Mercari. Yamahas are unsurprisingly cheaper in Japan, sure, but other brands are well represented and like any market there are bargains if you're not in a hurry. I bought the best-playing Bach I've ever met (an early Corp LT12) from Japan for just under $600.