Should I open an online shop?

[Musha]

I'm working in Japan for a year and I like buying things but don't really use them, so I have been thinking for a long time I want to sell things to people.
I've used E-bay to sell things in the past and it is very easy. I'm going to sell some Japanese language magazines on fashion to try and find out how much it will cost to post them.

What I am wondering is if people want Japanese language kendo magazines or other kendo related things from Japan such as DVDs etc? If you have pay-pal I'll take orders for almost anything not hard to get in the post, e.g no bogu or shinai/large things yet :D.

[kanyil]

How much would you charge for one of Hide-san's DVD sets (2 volumes in total).

[Light Samurai]

I think it's a good idea, but my parents don't use e-bay, and they forgot their paypal account name and password x.x But yeah,it is a good idea.

[crabbi]

I'm working in Japan for a year and I like buying things but don't really use them, so I have been thinking for a long time I want to sell things to people.
I've used E-bay to sell things in the past and it is very easy. I'm going to sell some Japanese language magazines on fashion to try and find out how much it will cost to post them.

What I am wondering is if people want Japanese language kendo magazines or other kendo related things from Japan such as DVDs etc? If you have pay-pal I'll take orders for almost anything not hard to get in the post, e.g no bogu or shinai/large things yet :D.
Great idea Musha-San!

I would be very interested in the 2 Volume Hidekatsu Inoue Sensei DVD set too...

Cheers

crabbi

[stuartwilson]

I think you would find a ready market for the AJKF publications. If you have ever been to their website, you'll know that it's time consuming to order from them - faxes, yen only, etc. Being a one-click armchair net-shopper, I'd pay a premium to get these materials more easily.

[Kingofmyrrh]

Just for everyone's information, Hide.'s DVD set is not 2 parts. It has 6 parts. The release date of the last 4 is unknown (to me at least).

[Alex_McGrady]

I'm working in Japan for a year and I like buying things but don't really use them, so I have been thinking for a long time I want to sell things to people.
I've used E-bay to sell things in the past and it is very easy. I'm going to sell some Japanese language magazines on fashion to try and find out how much it will cost to post them.

What I am wondering is if people want Japanese language kendo magazines or other kendo related things from Japan such as DVDs etc? If you have pay-pal I'll take orders for almost anything not hard to get in the post, e.g no bogu or shinai/large things yet :D.I think that it is a great idea. Most of us not in Japan would like to have access to kendo related goods from Japan but have no other opportunity than to use the on-line kendo shops that tend to be a bit pricey. It would be great if you could come up with some system to take orders and then even form your own network of suppliers in Japan. I am sure that after a short time, you can receive a discount from the suppliers when you have enough orders making it beneficial to everyone.

You go Musha-san!!! When you start taking orders, let us know.

Alex

[Andoru]

I am interested in Hide-san's DVDs too!

[mingshi]

I think you would find a ready market for the AJKF publications. If you have ever been to their website, you'll know that it's time consuming to order from them - faxes, yen only, etc. Being a one-click armchair net-shopper, I'd pay a premium to get these materials more easily.
The AJKF seems to be way behind technological development... I mean, for something as important as the AJKC 2000-03 DVD compilation, they should let overseas customers order it. In Japan everyone can see the live telecast, but what about the rest of the world??!!? :(

[Musha]

I think there web site is also afew years out of date :D. I'm wondering if I could travel down there and get some stuff. Its near the budo kan but I'm not sure what type of place it is...

[LarsCW]

There is alot that you can buy online.

Why would a Yen only be a problem thou?

I ordered stuff from tozando which is also paid in Yen, but what does it matter when payin with a creditcard

[Musha]

The AJKF only exepts registered mail and postal acount orders for some reason so I don't think people from other countries could order there products direct I tried and they said you had to send a fax or some thing. Even in Japan it sounds difficult.
Some one gave me one of there books 'looking after your bogu English version' for free though..

http://www.kendo.or.jp/shop/books.html
http://www.kendo.or.jp/shop/video.html

[LarsCW]

Cool site.

I didn't know there were championships for 8th dan

really like wow

[kanyil]

The AJKF only exepts registered mail and postal acount orders for some reason so I don't think people from other countries could order there products direct I tried and they said you had to send a fax or some thing.
Actually, you could just walk into their office in the Nippon Budokan complex and buy all that with cash.

It's a little hard to find, but going from Kudanshita station, just go through the huge castle doors, and when you see the Budokan in front of you, you'll notice that there's a small road to your left (not the really small walkway, this road is big enough for a car to drive on), that looks like a service entrance for staffs only but it's not. Just walk down the "service entrance" and ask around if you can't find it.

In case you want to look for it yourself, the first office building that comes up on your left is the office for karate/judo/kenpo etc. Go past that building and you'll find a stairway down to basement just outside of the building and that's where the AJKF office is (and also jukendo). It's their office, not a store front, and they won't have the books/DVDs out on display but ask for them and they'll bring it out.

Also enjoy the amazing pieces on display in the office. They have bronze plaques of the various hanshis, etc. A gift bogu made for Adolf Hitler (and no, he doesn't know any kendo, I asked :P), the shinai used by Eiga to do the famous WKC tsuki, and some other things.

Obviously, picking things up in person doesn't make business sense, but it's a nice day trip nonetheless.

[Musha]

Thanks Kanyil!
I was thinking of going to the budo kan that looks quite close on the map. I'll try find that place on the way.. :D.

[kanyil]

Hi Musha,

Got those Ichinikai videos and they are great! I can't wait for the next installment.

Thanks for the great service at eminently reasonable prices. The bubble wrap around the DVDs are a nice touch! :D

[Hai_hai]

I'm working in Japan for a year and I like buying things but don't really use them, so I have been thinking for a long time I want to sell things to people.
I've used E-bay to sell things in the past and it is very easy. I'm going to sell some Japanese language magazines on fashion to try and find out how much it will cost to post them.

What I am wondering is if people want Japanese language kendo magazines or other kendo related things from Japan such as DVDs etc? If you have pay-pal I'll take orders for almost anything not hard to get in the post, e.g no bogu or shinai/large things yet :D.
Well, it's not a bad idea.
1. You're profit margin wouldn't be huge though.
2. There are already other people who do that. So, you would be just another seller. There's a lot of exporters out there who know there's a demand for Japanese stuff and they are running e-stores. I'm just saying it's a niche market that's not new.
3. It's super-low overhead so it wouldn't be a problem if you stopped doing it.

[Andoru]

Hey Musha - your inbox is full mate! Anyway - check your email. :)

[Musha]

Don't worry Andrew I'm going to the bank when I get enough energy to order it :D.

[Musha]

Don't worry Andrew I'm going to the bank when I get enough energy today :D.