Okay, here is the short version:
1. The auctions are in Japanese so unless you read Japanese
you do not know what you are getting. The picture is not
enough to go by. They might show a cel and say you are
bidding on a similar one. You never know.
2. There are MANY scams. If you do not live in Japan (and
often even if you do) it is next to impossible to do
anything about this. Yahoo takes no responsibity and does
not get involved like ebay does. So if someone scams you
out of $500, too bad for you. I wouldn't bid for someone
for the simple of reason that if something went wrong, I
want nothing to do with it.
3. If you look at the auctions, almost all of them say in
English in the top left: seller will not ship
internationally. I hope this does not need explaining.
There are generally no exceptions so unless you are moving
to Japan soon, you might not be able to get your cels.
4. Most Japanese want payment only as a transfer from
JAPANESE bank. They do not want hassles and since they
specify how payment is to be made in the auction listing,
you must comply. Again, if you do not read Japanese this
could be a problem.
5. Some Japanese (and this is sad but true) don't want
their cels going out of Japan. They want to sell only to
people in Japan. This is not common, but it happens.
6. Many Japanese do not speak English very well, or just
don't want to. Thus, emailing with them for informaiton
can be neaerly impossible.
7. Even though I said it before, I am going to say it
again. There is NO involvement from Yahoo. I have heard
MANY stories of people getting ripped off. They transfered
the money and just never got their stuff. The only thing
that can be done is to leave negative feedback (ouch,
really harsh... NOT) and unless you can leave that in
japanese, you see the problem?...
Okay, I hope that lays this topic for rest until the next
group of people joins and asks again (next week?). I don't
mean to sound harsh, but this topic has been revisited
sooooo many times.
I am sure I forgot some good reasons, so please feel free to add to this...
In any case, good luck with your cel hunting and I hope
everyone finds something great (even if it not on Japan
Yahoo)! |
