Yahoo Auctions - Japan

[RollingBall]

While looking for a few items and remembering the Japanese's love for photography I came across Yahoo.jp auctions. I was wondering if anyone has any experience using the site.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[jonmanjiro]

Originally Posted by RollingBall

While looking for a few items and remembering the Japanese's love for photography I came across Yahoo.jp auctions. I was wondering if anyone has any experience using the site.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Yep. Lots of experience. Over 120 transactions, both buying and selling. The YJ auctions are why I've never bothered with Ebay (though that may change in the future).

[jonmanjiro]

Originally Posted by Luna

(1) I think you have to pay or have it connected to a Japanese bank account in order to bid.
(2) If you are a new user, you can only bid on certain items, some sellers don't allow new user bids.
(3) And finally, the seller can make a deal with one of the bidders and cancel the auction and sell directly to him, off-line from Yahoo Auctions, even if you were winning. (a friend has had this happen to him)

1. Japanese credit card in order to bid, and Japanese credit card and bank account in order to sell.
2. Yeah, that happens.
3. I'm guessing black S2. Surely the same thing happens on Ebay?

There's multiple services that can be used to bid on the YJ auctions. Here's a few:

http://www.jauce.com/
http://googlefive.com/tag/yahoo-auction-japan-bidding/
http://www.noppin.com/

[stewmander]

Are you able to translate the YJ site to english, or do you happen to know japanese?

[xwhatsit]

I've used http://www.okshon.com to get motorcycle parts, that was a few years ago. They took a healthy commission but I was still far ahead compared to buying locally.

At the time, they put a wrapper on the site which had English translations for the buttons etc.

[jonmanjiro]

Originally Posted by stewmander

Are you able to translate the YJ site to english, or do you happen to know japanese?

i happen to "know" japanese

[Frontman]

Originally Posted by stewmander

Are you able to translate the YJ site to english, or do you happen to know japanese?

You can use Google's translation software, though the results are often bizarre or comical (Japanese does not translate well into English).

You need to register with a credit card to make purchases over 5000 yen. Sellers generally accept Yahoo kandan (something like Paypal) or bank transfers. You aren't likely to find sellers who will ship internationally, though there is an occasional seller who speaks English, accepts Paypal, and will ship overseas.

I don't really like those agents who will buy and ship auction items to you. At the current exchange rate, a dollar is worth only 80 or so yen, and when you add the commission and international shipping you probably aren't going to get much of a deal. On top of these matters, if the item you buy is broken or incorrect, you will be unable to return it.