Wish me luck - I joined Amazon.com Japan

[eleny]

I really wanted some Japanese embroidery books. People carry the Japanese craft books here in the US and in Great Britain. But they're pretty pricey and not always available. I haven't found them locally.

So I looked around the Amazon Japan site a while since you can choose to read it in English. It doesn't translate everything. I had an ISBN for a book I wanted and found it. I accepted the two-fer offer for a similar book that I also wanted.

It was easy to sign up. There's a link for telling them you have an international address. That takes you to a page that accepts our address format and payment method. That's all in English.

I ordered my books earlier this evening and they're supposed to be delivered by the 24th or 25th. I'm doubtful but that's what they said. $32.87 for 2 books including the shipping. On ebay, the Japanese craft books can go as high as almost $30. each plus shipping. So, I decided to take the plunge.

Here are my books. I like primitive, cute stuff. Next time, it's the stuffed animals and assorted "zakka".

http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/513M1ZXRK3L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU09_AA240_SH20_.jpg

Edit: Oops - my total cost for the two books was less than I orignally remembered. So I changed the amount above to reflect the correct amount.

[likesmountains 52]

1. Oh those look like fun books...please post when they arrive and let us know

if you love them!

[Longhorn]

2. That's really interesting!

I thought I was a daredevil when I ordered some things from a company in England and another in Germany. ;)

Actually, I love the idea of direct commerce between citizens of different countries (as opposed to buying imported items sold in American stores.) I'd rather my money go as directly as possible to the people who make or procure the items, whether in another country or here in the U.S. There are too many "middle men" making a profit!

[eleny]

3. It has been interesting

I thought that I ordered the two-fer. But the confirming email showed only one book in the order - and I was only billed for one book. But I wanted both books to save on shipping.

I couldn't cancel the order because the company is so fast, my order was already being processed. So I sent them an email via the web site last night around 11 P.M. This morning I found a reply that arrived here at 3 A.M. The service person advised that the order would be intercepted in the shipping department. And if my credit card had been billed I would be issued a credit. Then I could reorder at my convenience. So far, my credit card hasn't been billed.

It's nice when everything goes well. But it says a lot about a company when they deal with a glitch smoothly. I wanted to post about all this last night but figured to wait to see what happened. So far so good. I think I was comfortable with everything from ordering to dealing with a problem since it's Amazon and we do biz with them often.

This morning I sent them another email asking about their free shipping deals. If you spend 1500 yen on some things, shipping is free. I asked if this goes for international orders. Keeping fingers crossed since that would make the craft books a steal. But I'm not anticipating it since that's a lot to expect.

:hi:

[diamidue]

4. I've been looking at those very books

They are so cute! And the price is very good considering it is free shipping.

I could never figure out how to translate the Japan eBay site. I get so frustrated when I search around there. They sure don't make it easy.

I'm anxious to know how your transaction goes & your opinion of these books.

[eleny]

5. The shipping is not free for international orders

Although the site suggests it, today they confirmed that they can't offer free shipping outside of Japan.

You might find the books locally if you live in certain cities that have Japanese bookstores or markets. I've heard of crafters finding them in NYC, San Francisco and some other west coast cities.

Ebay is always a source for Japanese craft books, too.

[likesmountains 52]

6. I took the plunge too...but after I made my selections and submitted

my order I only received the total in yen...I hope it's not a million dollars or something!

[Longhorn]

7. Yen are approximately 100 times a dollar.

So, for example, 100 yen converts to about 85 cents, 1000 yen is about $8.50, etc. But if you just divide by 100, you can get a high estimate.

My son lives in Japan and he'll talk about spending a few thousand yen here and there and it is rather shocking! :)

[likesmountains 52]

8. Thanks, my total was 5400 yen so I'm only out about 35-36 dollars..

[eleny]

9. I'm waiting a few more days to reorder

Looks like they did a good job of canceling my first order. They haven't billed my card yet. I can hardly wait.

Which books did you order?! I'm excited to see how you like them. Btw, there are monetary converters on the web. Here's one http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic

The hard thing about this is finding the ISBNs for specific books. I can find the books on ebay but the sellers don't include the ISBNs. Not that they should. But it's tough seeing such cute books and not knowing the actual title. The ebay prices seem higher than Amazon.

I found two more sites that show books and their ISBNs but they're on the other computer. I'll post the urls tomorrow.

[likesmountains 52]

10. thanks, I am going to be away from the computer for a week, I'll update you when I can!

[eleny]

11. You might have them by then!

See ya! :hi:

Edit: The mail delivery just arrived and the book is here. I had to sign for it. Also, the charge just appeared today on my card with a 33 cent international visa charge showing as a separate entry. I have to admit that I'm very excited right now. I will write to amazon.jp and ask them if they can give me some sort of gift code for a discount on my next book since there was some mess up. Half of it is my fault for not being observant enough. But no matter what, this book is very cute. There have to be hundreds of embroidery images to trace and stitch. I'm very pleased with the quality. "Cute" doesn't begin to describe it.

[likesmountains 52]

12. I just got back home and the books are here...I am drooling! It seems

to have been an easy purchase..I can't wait to thread a needle..what a bunch of great illustrations.

[eleny]

13. They sure are chock full of cuteness!

I've also found another source for the books. It's the Kinokuniya Bookstore, a chain here in the U.S.

If you ever want to give them a try, let me know. I figured out how to check inventory at their site using ISBNs - it's a snap. And I made a contact at their Portland, Oregon store who is a treasure. She even identified a few books by their covers.