GMG Classical Music Forum

The Back Room => Buy, Swap and Sell => Topic started by: pjme on April 04, 2019, 03:16:50 AM

Title: Buying a cd in Japan
Post by: pjme on April 04, 2019, 03:16:50 AM
I try to buy a cd in Japan - but find it quite difficult to access (even) Tower or HMV. The language (even after translations) remains a barrier.
Any tips?

Peter
Title: Re: Buying a cd in Japan
Post by: Biffo on April 04, 2019, 03:32:27 AM
Quote from: pjme on April 04, 2019, 03:16:50 AM
I try to buy a cd in Japan - but find it quite difficult to access (even) Tower or HMV. The language (even after translations) remains a barrier.
Any tips?

Peter

Not really. I have a few Japanese CDs but I have bought them all online, usually from Amazon marketplace sellers. If you have a specific CD in mind try looking for it in Amazon, Japanese sellers sometimes come up or US/European sellers with the disc. All the details will be in English or possibly your local language.

I have two Brahms discs in Japanese pressings on the way, both from Amazon marketplace sellers.
Title: Re: Buying a cd in Japan
Post by: Jo498 on April 04, 2019, 04:05:41 AM
It's been several years ago (must have been c.a 2006-08) but I ordered several times from "cdjapan" (I think that was the name). The site was in English and ordering was no problem whatsoever. The shipping costs were subtanstial (despite several options of which I picked one of the cheapest), therefore I did it only a few times.
Title: Re: Buying a cd in Japan
Post by: pjme on April 04, 2019, 04:36:03 AM
Many thanks! Will keep you informed next week.

Peter
Title: Re: Buying a cd in Japan
Post by: ritter on April 04, 2019, 08:39:38 AM
I've bought from cdbanq.com (which had, e.g., several Japanese Deutsche Grammophon CD releases not available in the West) and from hmv.co.jp. Occasionally, an e-mail in Japanese would arrive, but google translate would do the job (kinda  ;)).

But beware: I don't know how it'll be in Belgium, but on more than ne occasion, the Spanish taxman demanded his cut on the orders... >:(

Regards,
Title: Re: Buying a cd in Japan
Post by: vandermolen on April 06, 2019, 03:58:24 AM
I've bought several Japanese CDs through Amazon and have never had any problems.
Title: Re: Buying a cd in Japan
Post by: André on April 06, 2019, 05:41:27 AM
Quote from: ritter on April 04, 2019, 08:39:38 AM
I've bought from cdbanq.com (which had, e.g., several Japanese Deutsche Grammophon CD releases not available in the West) and from hmv.co.jp. Occasionally, an e-mail in Japanese would arrive, but google translate would do the job (kinda  ;)).

But beware: I don't know how it'll be in Belgium, but on more than ne occasion, the Spanish taxman demanded his cut on the orders... >:(

Regards,

That's how I got hold of the fantastic Böhm/WP late seventies japanese concert tours performances. Issued by DGG, but available only in Japan. Among my most treasured musical possessions 0:).
Title: Re: Buying a cd in Japan
Post by: Daverz on April 06, 2019, 12:27:13 PM
I've ordered from

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/
http://hmv.co.jp
http://www.cdbanq.com/

Never had any problems with any of them, but it can be expensive because of shipping.  Cdbanq ships items from Taiwan.

I would check Amazon sellers first, though.
Title: Re: Buying a cd in Japan
Post by: pjme on April 08, 2019, 02:38:54 AM
Thanks to you all. I have time to check it all out this week.

Met hartelijke groet,
Peter
Title: Re: Buying a cd in Japan
Post by: staxomega on April 27, 2019, 07:40:08 AM
If the shop has an online presence but won't sell outside of Japan I have used ZenMarket to buy things as an in between middle man. Their fees are reasonable (not the absolute lowest) and their customer service is prompt and polite.