Anyone else being dropped by Tokyo Buyers or am I the only one? Apparently they're scaling down their business aggressively. Find it really weird that I'm the only one out of numerous people I know using them (and not just original Boston friends of) being dropped.
yeah thats weird- they havent said anything to me yet. i just went ahead and requested shipping on my latest stuff just in case. im waiting to hear back from them but ive had a conversation going with them and no mention of them scaling down or whatever
Me too, about half a year ago. I used them at least 20 times in the past and stayed loyal to them bc of his prompt response time. Then at one point, I requested an item on Bobosshop from him, and then canceled my request moments later... mind you the order was not yet placed with Bobos or anything, it was literally moments later that I asked him to ignore my request. Ever since then, he's never bothered to respond to a single request. I must have hit him up a dozen times, and hadn't got as much as an email back. Fuck him.
I've been with TB for 5 years and pretty much built half my collection with them. I've had few issues if any- the only one recently was I just wanted the ability to place live bids so I could do that extra 500 or 1000 yen instead of watching it slip away. They actually granted me that and I could not have been happier. Now this. It's like being with a g/f for 5 years, proposing, she accepts then 2 weeks later breaks up with you. Not cool. My main issue is I've been through a few crappy services, and I loved the easy going nature of TB. No deposits, reasonable fees, quick responses. I can't go back to nightmare buying services that gouge you every step of the way. I really need to just find someone in Japan willing to do it. Fucking YJA and the no overseas bidding!
This is the real issue right here. I was so happy when there were 'discussions' a few years back about merging with ebay or at least opening up the bidding to outside Japan. I am not really sure what all the sticking points against it are, but I do know that the Japanese like to do things a certain way, and never change it.
Yeah Celga was my first buying service and I had a lot of issues with them. Also TB's exchange rate is much better currently 94 yen per dollar. Celga is way back at 87 per dollar. Which brings me to my next point. So if you're scaling back drastically why is Tokyo Buyers updating their site as of today with the new rate of 94 yen per dollar: http://tokyobuyers.blogspot.com/ I'm not buying the bullshit they're selling. In fact not one of my friends has been dropped and there are a hell of a lot of you here I've hipped to their service over the years. At least be honest about and say "We can not service you anymore because of...." not some bs about closing down.
Word Or not even having the decency to break up with you... just never calling/texting you back again and leaving you flabbergasted. I mean I definitely spent a few thousand with them over the past couple years... and granted, they're only collecting the fees, which may not amount to a whole shit ton. I'm sure there are ballin' MF's who make profits earned from me appear negligable. But nonetheless, being very loyal to their service for my overseas purchases, I would have still appreciated notification that they were slimming down their clientele at the least. The cold shoulder is rotten.
Here are all the responses I got: We are sorry, but we decided to scale down, and shut down eventually ,our business as we cannot handle requests with fewer staff. Thank you very much for your support of our business for a long time. We really appreciate it. Then I asked if there was a time when they were shutting down: We started to stop. Sorry for the short notice. Then I asked this: While I respect your decision to stop if that's the case, I was wondering if I'm being dropped because of that auction from Mandarake. The reason I ask is because over the years I've recommended your service to lots of people and none of them have mentioned anything to me about getting any sort of notice about you closing. In fact all of them say everything is fine. Website is still up. If there is an issue you have with me or it is because of that one auction (which is ridiculous- given how misleading that auction was) just let me know. I've given you a lot of business over the last 5 years and that one auction was a honest mistake. And got this: We are really scaling down business aggressively. Nothing personal… Whole thing sounds like a load of BS! The auction is question was for a vintage mini dogface Devilman. Which Mandarake had put up on YJA and gave the dimensions for the toy, material it's made out of etc. Had a Buy it Now cart option. Unfortunately for me it was for the Zenbu auction book but in the auction itself it really doesn't mention this. TB took care of it but then I got the abrupt news. Hmmmmmmmm.
Wow that's weird. I just paid my latest invoice and had them bid on something just a few days ago. I didn't win the auction but yeah I haven't heard anything about closing. Should I get my shit from now, im nervous.
Like I said before its completely obvious what they told me is BS. Not one person besides me has been told they're scaling back or closing. I'm ok with them dropping me, although its pretty stupid considering how much coin I've sent them. Just don't bullshit me with some easy see through lie. Do they really think toy collectors don't talk? I hope they're inundated with emails asking what is going on.
Sorry for posting on your thread Lixx, but wanted to add that I just recently asked to use their service in February. I got a response in early March telling me where to send the money and all that but the pre-order was done and I never responded back. In short, they are lying through their teeth. Why would they offer their services to a new customer if they are telling you that they are going under?
I agree iron Paw. It's a big lie. Fuck them. I'll gladly take my business elsewhere, and take every opportunity to trash them. For as many people as I recommended them to I can also say if this happened to me, a loyal heavy user of 5 years, it can happen to you all of a sudden as well. A bidding service is not something you want to be without if you are a serious collector. I'm already in talks with new service. One I might add has a interface ten times better than a crappy google doc you can't even access most of the time. Also if you are using Tokyo Buyers and losing because of early bids. Think about why! While there may not be sniping on YJA, you might want to at least be able to place your own bids in real time. It's still an auction and losing by 1000 yen because TB did not get your email in time, or you could be on the other side of the coin because you had the option to take that extra step.....I rest my case. Dump TB!
I have heard all kinds of stories on this board about bidding agent sites. Some services I've used and looked at are pretty shoddy. I've been using Japamart for a couple of years http://211.125.90.77/index.php They have an incredible interface, real time bidding and very quick response, no BS everything is verified in email and the tracking number is posted with a live link to Japan EMS in your Shipping details. They spend money updating and improving the site periodically and its really appreciated. Deposit is required, they allow you to bid twice the amount of your deposit and they make it easy to apply it to a purchase. With a simple click of a button it will put money back in your paypal account with no paypal fees taken out for a 55 day period. They are very security conscious as well, they will not purchase from web stores that do not post a phone number, I had to ask special permission for Sunguts. I occasionally used Celga but I find it and their web site prehistoric.
This is weird because while you guys were "dropped" I started up as a new customer and was absolutely fine throughout the year. I recently put in some new requests and no reply 4 days later. Auctions will end soon, so getting worried. Maybe he's just busy with work.
For what it's worth, I've used Tokyo Buyers for around 5 years now and I am very satisfied overall with their service. They've always been prompt and responsive with their communications in my experience.
Has anyone heard back from them (him) within the past 5 days? Running out of time and might try a different service.
Just bringing this back from the dead; has anyone used TB recently? For auctions, I have found Buyee to be excellent but for a shop item, Japan only, I thought Tokyo Buyer may be a better option.
TB is still my buying service. Over 10 years now. They don't have all the bells and whistles of other buying services, but they get the job done and are flexible on buying from some of the smaller companies' websites.
