Buying a guitar from japan. Anyone done it?

MorbidAngel · #1 03-14-2005, 11:21 PM

Hello guys

I'm trying to get ahold of a guitar in japan, and want to know if anyone here has ever done it, the pitfalls of doing such a thing (besides cost)
average cost for shipping, how to work with the language barrier.
also if any CANADIANS have done this, I'd appreciate whatever input you may have.

I just want to make sure I have all the bases covered first, like what paperwork they will need, what I will need, and all that stuff!

Thansk guys!

Chris

gkelm · #2 03-15-2005, 11:14 PM

I bought a couple through an auction site named by four stars and one through Ishibashi. Also brought a couple back on the plane. My experiences were great in all aspects...the guys I dealt with all spoke/wrote English well enough. Pretty simple procedure, at least for the US...but can't help with Canadian import.
Greg

Ferrous Lepidoptera · #3 03-16-2005, 01:51 AM

My one experience with ishibashi turned out well. I'm also in the U.S., not Canada. They (or their door-to-door shipping company) took care of all the paperwork for customs, so for me it wasn't significantly more complicated than ordering a book from amazon. Paid by credit card, guitar showed up in the mail. Easy.

urkoman · #4 03-17-2005, 09:57 AM

I bought a j-custom from ishibashi too. No problem, you need nothing but paying. When it arrives your country you´ll have to pay the taxes if needed, directly to the post service.
That in Spain, i suppose it´s the same thing everywhere

MorbidAngel · #5 03-17-2005, 07:56 PM

Well thanks for the info guys

I can't use a credit card as they only use banking, I guess "wire transfer"
for overseas buyers.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

Chris

buddroyce · #6 03-17-2005, 11:44 PM

Well as a fellow Canadian(In Toronto actually) I've bought stuff from Japan as both a dealer as well as for personal stuff. Within the last two months I've bought two J-Customs as an ESP MII-deluxe so this stuff is still fresh in my head.

It really depends on where you buy stuff from. The guys at Ishibashi are pretty good and they *DO* accept visa if you are buying from them. Everyone else I've delt with from Japan (Shinko-Music[a.k.a. Young Guitar], Watanabe music and various other companies only accept wire transfer).

Keep in mind that you'll be paying a total of 21% in terms of taxes and duty though. 15% for the usual taxes here in Ontario plus 6% duty on guitars(you can tell I do a lot of import/export of guitars). So a guitar that will cost you say $1000 Canadian(not including shipping) will end up being $1210 (CDN). PM me if you got any probs.

LLL777 · #7 03-18-2005, 12:34 AM

I think if you're dealing with a major guitar chain store like Ishi then it's about as safe as you can get. They got people who read and write english and ship around the world. I've bought from them and it came well packed. If you Canucks have to pay customs then they usually the collect that on delivery or pickup.

But the real issue comes when something goes wrong. How easy is it to return the guitar? How easy is it to get a refund? Return shipping costs?? blah blah blah. Chances are you are stuck with whatever you get. And if you're dealing with somebody other than a major shop like Ishi, there's always a chance you may never get what you paid for

GuitarJay · #8 05-09-2005, 01:36 PM

Just wondering how much the import tax would be for the UK, anyone?

lyconxero · #9 05-09-2005, 02:09 PM

How can I contact ishibashi? I'm interested in pricing a J-custom.

old_metal_head · #10 05-09-2005, 04:19 PM

http://www.ishibashi-music.com/

I had an issue with a guitar from Ishibashi and they took care of it no problem.

Joe77fp`89 · #11 05-09-2005, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuitarJay

Just wondering how much the import tax would be for the UK, anyone?

3.7% import duty

Globbits · #12 05-09-2005, 06:23 PM

+17.5 % VAT if your unlucky.

bpd111 · #13 05-09-2005, 07:59 PM

Yes, from Ishibashi. Set up was junk, overhanging frets, and a news flash for Ishibashi: string stoppers come loose when not tightened. Then they float around the case and damage the guitar.

JTM45 · #14 05-10-2005, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuitarJay

Just wondering how much the import tax would be for the UK, anyone?

Buying through an official source (and usually through anywhere) you're gonna' get stung for around 20% VAT+Duty (combined)bringing a guitar into the UK.

slugman · #15 05-26-2005, 09:27 PM

I had my friend bring me back two RGs in his luggage. He disassembled them, bubble wrapped them, and somehow managed to get them into a suitcase along with his clothes. Customs didn't care. Unfortunately the action on one of them can't be set as low as I'd like still its my main axe now. But I had him by another pair when he returned to .jp and will be shipping them here so I'll see how it turns out! They're definitely much prettier over there.