Importers discussion

[Cthulhu]

I've used NCS for years and never had a problem with them. On one (or two maybe) occasions something I ordered got to them late, so it took longer to get to me, but they were always very open and straightforward about what was going on. The one time I had to cancel something and the one time I had to return something both were both hassle-free as well. They're definitely my #1 choice.

Play-Asia was fine for the one order I placed through them, but I'm wary of dealing with an international retailer in case something goes wrong with an order - returning something to HK would be a bitch.

The only item I ever ordered from Yesasia turned out to be out of stock and they couldn't get it, so my order was cancelled. I've never tried them again.

[FMK]

I've used both P-A and Lik-Sang for jp games and jp accessories. Never had a problem. To me, P-A is cheaper but slower. One time I had a lost package (a GC component cable), and P-A simply sent another one. So no problems, with any of them.

For US games the one I use more is Videogamesplus. And sometimes Tronix and AheadGames. Any problem with these.

[theevilfunkster]

I've used play-asia for around a year now and ordered 30ish things from them. The only problem I've had with them was when they sent me the Japanese version of Sega Marine Fishing instead of the American release. No big deal, they just sent me another copy and I got to keep the sealed Japanese copy. I did get my first customs charge last week though.

I've used liksang quite a lot too and never had any problems with them, always very quick deliveries. They just need more stuff.

[pixelcorps]

british customs are a joke.

I moved to the US for a few months, and then moved home, I shipped my stuff back by fed ex.. they charged me customs / import duty on MY OWN PROPERTY!!

[Thunder Force]

For US games the one I use more is Videogamesplus.

That company was the one who baited preorders for North American PSPs with a written guarantee on their website that if you preordered from them they'd manually test your unit for dead pixels, and then withdrew the guarantee at the last minute after all their preorders had been taken.

[ROBOTRON]

I was using Japan Video games and NCSX, but recently switched to play-asia.

[thesuperkillerxxx]

I have used 3 of the four, never heard of yes asia until mushi delays were dicussed...

I have NEVER had a problem or a customs fee (knock wood). My old post office would never deliver it to me though, I had to pick it up. Always bustin my balls!

got some stickers from lik sang and play asia, none from ncsx, but it wasn't a new release either.

[sffan]

I always buy from Play-Asia these days.

I used to occasionally use www.videogameimports.com when Play-Asia didn't have something.

[big_aug]

I've been using NCS since I started importing games. Absolutely amazing customer service, and the shipping is lightning fast. I usually recieve my games within 2-3 days of ordering them. I've never had anything take longer than that. To be honest, I'll probably never shop anywhere else even if I could save a few bucks using P-A or something similar.

[mannerbot]

A question for NCSX loyalists: how does requesting Priority shipping work? I've heard that you can get your stuff shipped out by USPS Priority Mail if you request it in the comment box when you order, but do you get a discount on the shipping if you do so? The main reason I usually choose Play-Asia over NCSX is the cost of the UPS shipping NCSX uses.

[Brian]

As far as Priority goes, I sent them an email asking them to tag my account as Priority. Now, all my orders are routed that way without me ever mentioning it again.

That said, they just shipped Mushi to me and charged $7. But, you know, it's still faster than UPS, and when spending $70 on a game, who cares about an extra $2.15?

[GaijinPunch]

Interesting thread. I've always toyed w/ the idea of opening an internet shop if I moved back to Japan. It was something I wanted to do before everyone and their dog started selling retro games on Ebay. I had no coding skills whatsoever then. I could now write my own front end and get my wife to do the busy work.

I'd probably have to do some more research, but preliminarily I think I could
-Sell games for an average of $5 cheaper than Play Asia
-Match their shipping price for airmail, but couldn't guarantee anything. If it's lost in the mail, it's on the buyer
-Of course give great customer service. ^^

I think the biggest hurdle will be finding a way to accept $US w/o getting raped on the conversion. Paypal gives the shitty US rate. If it's 111 yen to the dollar, they will buy at 108 and sell at 114... or there about. In Japan it's regulated... hopefully in the "online" world too. Would be more like 110 vs. 112. On that note, people paying w/ Paypal would have to add like 2% to their order. If you considered the exchange rate + their shittty fee, you're looking at a 6% tax just to sell a game.

Anyways, just a pipe dream at the moment, but who knows.

[gameoverDude]

My number one choice is NCSX due to a long track record with them- and I usually get whatever I've got coming within 2 days after they receive it. However, Play-Asia is getting to be a close second especially when they've had the early dirt on games like Mushimesama. I dealt with them once or twice with no problems and would likely go to them if NCSX doesn't have a game that I'm after.

My Saturn which NCSX modded still works fine to this day.

[Zach Keene]

I'm with mannerbot; used NCS for years without issue, but have pretty much switched to PA since NCS stopped offering Priority shipping (at least without jumping through hoops first, and this thread is the first I've heard that was even possible. )

No problems with PA although they're much slower, being on the other side of the world from me and all.

I've also ordered from The Rage of the New Generation many times with no problems. Haven't used them much recently though, for no real reason other than I tend to check PA or NCS first I guess.

[elbarto]

I used NCS for quite a few years, but switched to Play-Asia about a year or so ago. No problems with either of them in that time, and Play-Asia always used to mark down stuff to avoid customs fees.. until my Mushi order I received today, when they decided to mark it at full value.

Ten quid customs charge

[rcgrant]

In light of this thread I think someone (more knowledgeable than I) should create a sticky with introductory information on importing for the new people on this forum (myself included )

Tomorrow I plan to order a JPS2 and Mushihimesama from YesAsia and ESPGaluda (and perhaps something else) from Play-Asia. Is there anything I should know before doing so? (Other than "DON'T USE UPS!")

[IlMrm]

I haven't ordered any games from YesAsia before, but I have ordered tons of cds and dvds from them with absolutely no problem at all.

I've only ordered once from Play Asia, also no problem at all.

[Kron]

Play-Asia's customer service has been consistantly getting worse (same with Videogamesplus).

I only use Yesasia and NCSX now.

PA and VG+ are suffering from too big for their budget syndrome and are starting to jack up prices and ignore the most important thing.. the customers.

[Ghegs]

I'll put in a good word for Palet Mail Service. I ordered the three Shangai Alice shmups from them and got them fast via airmail. Their e-mails have more engrish than engrish.com and they give no order numbers or anything when paying via PayPal (they just cross-reference the e-mail address? Madness!) but it all worked out just great.

Japan Game Stock also gets a thumbs-up. They have a nice selection (used games, but in good condition) and sometimes you can find "rare and expensive" games for quite a bit cheaper than on eBay. Highly recommended.

[zaphod]

My wife corrected my earlier comment about sales tax. Apparently there is a federal sales tax on over-seas purchases here in the US, but they are not so good about enforcing this tax. We are supposed to declare over-seas purchases on our income tax return.

Actually in most states you are supposed to declare ANYTHING bought out of state to the state and pay "use tax" on it!

California, having a lot of the big tocket products in state, really doesn't care about this, and as far as I know use tax doesn't exist here in California.

[theevilfunkster]

Thats it, I'm never using play-asia again. Just got another £10 customs charge with Kirby DS.

[Moogs]

I prefer using NCSX. Even though they don't really have a wide variety of older stuff (their import Saturn selection is pretty awful), I always go to them for newer releases. I've ordered from play-asia twice, and both times it took damn near a month for the items to get to me. Considering that I've done business with other companies across the world -- and they get my orders to me within a week or so -- it's really kind of annoying.

[LSU]

Hi -

(This is my first post, by the way - this forum is great you guys! So much information here.)

I've used both Play-Asia and NCSX, never had any problems with either. Tend to just get brand new releases through these two, and older stuff from ebay.

Cheers.