deskthority

cookie wrote:So it seems that everyone is buying this themself...

Muirium wrote:PFU's sale ends in a few days, as I understand. Doesn't seem like a good time to be stuck in the ID paperwork confirmation stage with Tenso! I'd need to receive a confirmation letter from them (verifying my address) before I can order anything.

https://www.tenso.com/en/member_confirm_identity/

002 wrote: Intro:
Ok so I get the occasional PM about buying stuff from Japan, so I thought I'd throw together a quick guide to get people started.
Here's the summary:

- Create a tenso.com account
- Create an amazon.co.jp account (if you want to shop on amazon Japan)
- Buy stuff

There are other popular Japanese shopping sites (for example, Rakuten), and there are other proxy services too, but if you knew that, you probably don't need this guide. If you have specific questions about other sites, I'm happy to help.


How It Works:
Tenso.com is a forwarding service. When you register with them, they give you a unique address, which is simply a physical warehouse address that includes an ID number that identifies packages that they receive as belonging to you. When you register yourself on a Japanese shopping website such as amazon.co.jp or rakuten, you do not enter your real address as your residence, you enter your tenso address. I think you can see where this is going The reason for this is that many online sellers/stores in Japan will not ship internationally.

Some sites (such as amazon) allow you to enter multiple shipping addresses, but I suggest you just keep it simple and enter your tenso address unless you know what you're doing. You can always change the information later if you need to.

You make your purchase, they ship it to your address at Tenso. When your package arrives at Tenso, they send you an e-mail, you pay the handling and shipping and they send your parcel out via EMS and give you the tracking number.


Registering at Tenso:
1. Go to http://www.tenso.com
2. Click 'English' in the Top Right

Spoiler:

3. Click 'Registration (Free) on the right

Spoiler:

4. Follow the steps to complete registration (NOTE: Tenso changed their rules recently and for some countries, you are required to prove you identify with some scans or photos of ID material that proves your real residence)

Spoiler:

5. Once you're registered, check your 'My Page' tab which lists that address you use for online shopping in Japan

Spoiler:

(Other)
- Tenso will hold your items for 60 days if you wish to combine on items to save shipping.
- Tenso's fees can be found here: http://www.tenso.com/en/guide/fee/index.html

Registering at amazon.co.jp:
1. Go to http://amazon.co.jp
2. Click 'In English' at the top

Spoiler:

3. Hover over the 'Your Account' option and choose 'Start here'

Spoiler:

4. Complete your registration and when prompted for address, enter your Tenso address. There is a personalised guide for entering your Tenso address on Japanese websites such as amazon.co.jp and Rakuten on Tenso:

Spoiler:

Buying Stuff:
This really depends on where you are shopping. If you're shopping on Amazon, it's pretty straight-forward:
1. Find your item (Google Chrome + Auto Translate is your friend here)
2. Add it to your cart and proceed to checkout
3. Log in (if prompted)
4. Select your address (this is where you can edit or add new addresses to your Address Book)
5. Choose your shipping option
6. Choose your payment option (NOTE: You will need a Credit or Debit card for most purchases from Japan)
7. Place your order!


Conclusion:
So most of this guide is pretty straight-forward stuff. The good thing is that most of these online shopping site forms are pretty much the same (how many ways can you ask for someone's details anyway?) so when you know how to register at amazon or rakuten, it's the sky's the limit really. You might run into the occasional site that use images instead of text for their forms which is a bit of a pain in the arse, but stick to your Tenso guide for entering address and you should be OK.

Some other suggestions:
- Order "direct" from PFU Japan!
- Sign up to http://buyee.jp and check out Yahoo Auctions Japan. Keyboards are here

Hope this is of use to some people. If I've missed anything or something isn't clear, please let me know.
Mods: Wasn't sure if this belongs here or Off-Topic. Up to you if you want to move it.

Andriyol wrote:
My recent experience with BUYEE.JP TENSO japanese buying service is awful. What can I say about them is only they are fraud scammers. I received damaged items I bought on Yahoo auction using their service, they haven't provided any additional packaging besides seller's one, however I paid them for additional protective packaging. Also they damaged my item during consolidation, sent it to me in such condition. When I asked them for partial refund they claimed that I have not proved their fault.
So, I DO NOT RECOMMEND using their service to anyone!

Belfong wrote: I have used Tenso before. Very good experience.

002 wrote: Just use buyee.jp if you want to buy on Yahoo Auctions.
I am pretty sure that Buyee and Tenso are run by the same people and probably even the same warehouse, although with buyee you don't really know (or need to know) where the warehouse is because the whole bidding process is handled by them up until the point where they have your item in their warehouse and then give you the shipping options.
Good luck!