Japanese Ebay Sellers- Stubborn?

[koraks]

people don't have money to go around

Personal savings per month, in billions of dollars, for the US population, 1990-nov 2023:

Seems like some Americans still have some moneys.

 

[Dan Daniel]

In many Asian cities there are specialised malls that sell the same products. There are computer malls, video game malls, wedding gown mall and so forth. Those malls attract a lot of foot traffic because people don’t need to run all over town to compare products and prices. The dozens or so shops in those malls are most likely owned by just several entities. One guy would have say 12 shops scattered around the mall. Cast a wide net and so forth. Price collusion is common.

Incidentally when I was a kid in New Joisey I was calling all those insurance brokers in the yellow pages for motorcycle insurance. Finally one guy in frustration said he already gave me several quotes. Many of the businesses I called apparently were the same people different addresses and numbers.

Thanks for this info. Might explain this multiple listings and sellers for the same camera.

40 years ago saw something similar is San Francisco, on the edge of a tourist area. A couple of camera stores half a block apart. Got a price from one store, asked the other if they could do better. They did, I bought the camera. A couple of days later, walking by, the salespeople had flipped stores.

 

[250swb]

Personal savings per month, in billions of dollars, for the US population, 1990-nov 2023:
View attachment 357019
Seems like some Americans still have some moneys.

You mean the Covid spike when fondling a Hasselblad was restricted?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I've been dealing with sellers in Japan on ebay for years with never an issue. I always find they underrate their products. I'm currently looking for a replacement for a 50mm lens for the RB. To have mine repaired would cost the same as one from a Japan seller. All the shutter speeds are buggered. I can only use it in T mode... Their prices aren't too bad. The shipping charges are a bit much, though. I'm not a big fan of DHL. I get around that by having the seller send the item to my mother-in-law's, then she'll either send it to me, or I'll pick it up the next time I'm over there.

 

[Don_ih]

You mean the Covid spike

Yes - that chart shows just how much money you can save when you don't go anywhere yet continue to get paid.

The far right of the chart is back down to ~2019 levels. But the price of necessities is not.

 

[koraks]

You mean the Covid spike when fondling a Hasselblad was restricted?

The spike is an anomaly. I was responding to the notion that people don't have money to spend. This is not true, and it hasn't changed much, either, at least in the US. There is a downward trend over the past 3 decades, but it's not like something has somehow gone down the drain in the last few years, which is what the OP implies. It's just not accurate.

The far right of the chart is back down to ~2019 levels. But the price of necessities is not.

Nope, but the necessities are deducted from the figure I made the chart from. The savings are calculated as net income after taxes and after deducting 'personal consumption expenditures', which includes the necessities. In other words, this is the money we buy our newest iPhone and vintage Hasselblad with. Data accessible through this link: https://www.bea.gov/data/income-saving/personal-saving-rate
The savings are informally defined as "... incomes left after they pay taxes and spend money." The formal definition is of course far more intricate, but the gist is the same.

What the chart of course doesn't say is how this is distributed over the population, but the logical conclusion is that people have money to spend, at least in the US. This means that there continues to be strong demand for lots of stuff including vintage/film photo equipment, and this means that prices won't magically drop. Take also into account that there's demand from particularly China for photo gear, while Chine doesn't have an appreciable supply of second hand stuff, which means that there's just more demand and no supply to cover it - which drivers prices up.

 

[Anon Ymous]

The shipping charges are a bit much, though. I'm not a big fan of DHL.

I'm not a big fan of DHL either (and they'll likely apply a hefty charge for some import paperwork) and that's why I politely ask the seller to use Japan Post instead, explaining that this way I know in advance the reasonable import duties I'll have to pay. They will likely agree with the request. I haven't bought much from there, only a couple of lenses, but they were exactly as described (almost spotless).

Pricing, as others have said, is very relative and largely depends on the market. If Japan prices look bad, then European ones are outrageous.

 

[Don_ih]

necessities are deducted from the figure I made the chart from

It's a matter of perception. People shuffle away more money as the price of necessities rise. They reduce unnecessary spending. The more strained things appear to be, the less people will be what they consider wasteful. So they add to their savings, instead.

 

[guangong]

My experience with Japanese sellers has been quite good. I don't buy anything from an eBay seller with a rating of less than %99.8 (every seller can have unreasonable buyers or make mistakes), but really try to stay with %100 sellers.I don't buy anything from a seller that doesn't take returns. This goes for anything that I buy, not just photo stuff. I also patronize Roberts, KEH, and Igor. My only complaint with KEH is not shipping to PO boxes. Their prices are fair and they stand behind their products.
My grandmother told me long ago that if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

 

[guangong]

I'm not a big fan of DHL either (and they'll likely apply a hefty charge for some import paperwork) and that's why I politely ask the seller to use Japan Post instead, explaining that this way I know in advance the reasonable import duties I'll have to pay. They will likely agree with the request. I haven't bought much from there, only a couple of lenses, but they were exactly as described (almost spotless).

Pricing, as others have said, is very relative and largely depends on the market. If Japan prices look bad, then European ones are outrageous.

If I am not mistaken, DHL in the US is still for sale. Neither UPS or FeEx wanted to buy it. Sighting a DHL delivery vehicle in NJ is rare. How do they manage to stay in business?

 

[Nikon 2]

Bought the Nikon F2, all the lenses plus the Zeiss T Planar 50mm f/2 from Japan. No problems with any of the purchases…!

 

[Anon Ymous]

If I am not mistaken, DHL in the US is still for sale. Neither UPS or FeEx wanted to buy it. Sighting a DHL delivery vehicle in NJ is rare. How do they manage to stay in business?

Hmmm, I have no idea, since I don't live in the US...

 

[Nikon 2]

Hmmm, I have no idea, since I don't live in the US...

Good point…!

 

[Nikon 2]

It helps if you have 100% positive feedback, the seller respects that and makes sure you’re satisfied…!

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Emphasis added .
You answer your own question .

In any country , the selling price is determined by the market .
So if you can sell a camera and lens in Japan or wherever for $700 , why should they sell it for only $300 , just because some foreign country can't sell the same thing for more ?

If I'm selling something , I want the best return on it as I can .
If I can get more for something in my country than you can in yours , whey the heck should I reduce my asking price ?

I've bought goods from abroad because I got a better deal on them than what's for sale over here .
It's a buyers market , shop around .

That's especially true where you live in Europe. VAT taxes raise the prices way over what we pay for things here in America. Many Europeans visit B&H Photo in Manhattan during their vacations here to stock up on cameras and take them home with a smile on their faces.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

My experience with Japanese sellers has been quite good. I don't buy anything from an eBay seller with a rating of less than %99.8 (every seller can have unreasonable buyers or make mistakes), but really try to stay with %100 sellers.I don't buy anything from a seller that doesn't take returns. This goes for anything that I buy, not just photo stuff. I also patronize Roberts, KEH, and Igor. My only complaint with KEH is not shipping to PO boxes. Their prices are fair and they stand behind their products.
My grandmother told me long ago that if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

The US Post Office cannot get signatures of deliveries to PO Boxes. That's why sellers don;t want to send to PO boxes and want an actual address where people can sign for the delivery. I'm not sure, but I think this also prevents insuring packages if sent to a PO Box.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

The spike is an anomaly. I was responding to the notion that people don't have money to spend. This is not true, and it hasn't changed much, either, at least in the US. There is a downward trend over the past 3 decades, but it's not like something has somehow gone down the drain in the last few years, which is what the OP implies. It's just not accurate.



Nope, but the necessities are deducted from the figure I made the chart from. The savings are calculated as net income after taxes and after deducting 'personal consumption expenditures', which includes the necessities. In other words, this is the money we buy our newest iPhone and vintage Hasselblad with. Data accessible through this link: https://www.bea.gov/data/income-saving/personal-saving-rate
The savings are informally defined as "... incomes left after they pay taxes and spend money." The formal definition is of course far more intricate, but the gist is the same.

What the chart of course doesn't say is how this is distributed over the population, but the logical conclusion is that people have money to spend, at least in the US. This means that there continues to be strong demand for lots of stuff including vintage/film photo equipment, and this means that prices won't magically drop. Take also into account that there's demand from particularly China for photo gear, while Chine doesn't have an appreciable supply of second hand stuff, which means that there's just more demand and no supply to cover it - which drivers prices up.

The other thing to consider is inflation raises the price of things as the value of currency decreases. So if you spent $100 on a lens a few years ago, the same lens might be priced at $120 today.

Someone brought up the exchange rates effecting changes in Japanese pricing. That's valid as well. VAT taxes in Europe also reflect big differences in prices among different countries like America without VAT taxes.

The thing about savings is that while you could have similar amounts saved compared to a few years ago, inflation reduces its purchasing power as well. So if you have let's say $10,000 saved a few years ago, today you can only buy camera equipment worth let's say equal to $8000 due to the reduction in its value because prices went up. So the raw amount of savings has to be adjusted for inflation and the reduced value of currency. The fact is you're poorer.

 

[Rrrgcy]

“The US Post Office cannot get signatures of deliveries to PO Boxes.” - senders can, just ask for Signature Required when shipping and the USPS will leave a notice in your box w a Ps Form 3849 requiring you go to the front desk to sign for the box, package or letter. I get the notices all the time and have to sign but my P.O. Box is at an actual USPS location not one of those small family or co.-owned drop-box outside strip mall stores.

 

[Naples]

If I am not mistaken, DHL in the US is still for sale.

DHL press release:

"DHL TO INVEST $192M USD AT ITS HUB AT THE CINCINNATI/NORTHERN KENTUCKY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO ACCOMMODATE GROWING FLEET
July 31, 2023"

 

[Rrrgcy]

“The reason sellers may not ship to a PO box is that UPS, FedEx, DHL, et al cannot deliver to PO boxes.” - accurate but iffy - I’ve signed a form at my USPS office allowing the service but USPS requires addressee being name, the post office Street address, and box number. I never use it. The post office pushes the form at you about once every few years informing you of the ability. This said I’ve received outside postal service deliveries addressed to my PO Box a few times. I’ve read it depends on your area and particular post office, or the UPS service you buy.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

“The US Post Office cannot get signatures of deliveries to PO Boxes.” - senders can, just ask for Signature Required when shipping and the USPS will leave a notice in your box w a Ps Form 3849 requiring you go to the front desk to sign for the box, package or letter. I get the notices all the time and have to sign but my P.O. Box is at an actual USPS location not one of those small family or co.-owned drop-box outside strip mall stores.

So why don't companies accept PO Boxes to ship too?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

“The reason sellers may not ship to a PO box is that UPS, FedEx, DHL, et al cannot deliver to PO boxes.” - accurate but iffy - I’ve signed a form at my USPS office allowing the service but USPS requires addressee being name, the post office Street address, and box number. I never use it. The post office pushes the form at you about once every few years informing you of the ability. This said I’ve received outside postal service deliveries addressed to my PO Box a few times. I’ve read it depends on your area and particular post office, or the UPS service you buy.

I just your post but it's not clear why senders won;t mail to post office boxes??

 

[toadhall]

Everything I've bought from Japan has been exactly as listed , in excellent condition .
Never had a problem with the sellers .
Delivery from Japan to the U.K is often quicker than buying local . Go figure !

I've had no issue with Japanese sellers. I appreciate that they actually state that a lens may have haze, fungus or 'mold'.
As a Canadian, using eBay, I'll readily purchase from Japan as opposed to the US where eBay punishes me on shipping with their outrageous Global Shipping Program.

 

[Nikon 2]

That's especially true where you live in Europe. VAT taxes raise the prices way over what we pay for things here in America. Many Europeans visit B&H Photo in Manhattan during their vacations here to stock up on cameras and take them home with a smile on their faces.

The reason I bought the Nikon gear and Zeiss lens from Japan is that it was much cheaper to purchase it in Japan than here in the States…!

 

[Nikon 2]

I've had no issue with Japanese sellers. I appreciate that they actually state that a lens may have haze, fungus or 'mold'.
As a Canadian, using eBay, I'll readily purchase from Japan as opposed to the US where eBay punishes me on shipping with their outrageous Global Shipping Program.

They seem much more honest than sellers elsewhere…!