RInka and Crescent charge about US$15 and 2000 Yen and up to 25% of for shopping service, shipping not included. For auction service, Crescent’s base service charge seems cheaper if your item is below 4000 Yen at 500 Yen per auction (shipping also not included). Rinka’s base charge is also US$15 for auctions I think.

Actually, since you have relatives in Japan, with a growing global demand for Japan goods, this IS a very good business to go into. There is almost no risk for the Japan Deputy Service since most of them collect a deposit from you before they let you bid, and asks you to pay for your shopping items before they place the order for you. You foot all the shipping expense as well. It is like an almost perfect business. Low risk, high returns. If you want an investor, please let me know XD

Waaaa….expensive!!

I checked their FAQ again. Both HMV Japan and CDJapan charge in Yen if you use a credit card. The USD price CDJapan shows on the website is for reference only ^^ However, as CDJapan also accepts International Money Order/Cash in USD, so the amount you pay will be pegged to the exchange rate of the day when the order is -made-. Whereas for credit card, it will be charged at the exchange rate on the day the order is -shipped-.

Yeah, I looked up HMV HK too. I wanted to get a music CD by a Japanese group but they only have it at the Japan store (T-T) So in the end I still went back to the Japan one. If not, their shipping to our locations are cheaper, so is a good option to buy CDs if they carry it. However, they don’t have BLCDs the last time I checked ^^”

Shipping cost can be more expensive than the items ha-ha…
I guess shipping cost for books is surely high becoz books are heavy, especially illustration book or photobook.
Other online shop such as popular.com.sg also charge quite a lot for shipping cost.
It’s the same everywhere, anyway HMV Japan charges you in Yen, while CDJapan in USD, right?
Have you ever try HMV HK?

Amazon Japan offers free shipping for domestic orders if your order reaches a minimum amount, so it is good value to get your friends or relatives in Japan to order then send the items to you using EMS or AIrmail. ^^ Lucky you! Saves up to half the shipping cost compared to you ordering direct from Amazon Japan to ship to you. If you’re ordering just one CD, their courier charges (DHL/Fedex) is around 1700 Yen. You can buy 1/2 of another CD already Books are worse. Just one book, the shipping is around 2200 Yen *faint*

HMJ Japan has a very nice interface (and their frequent promos are great!). I also like them more than the other two But I think all 3 shops are good cos they have very good customer service. Their boxes and envelops are like you said, very nicely bubble wrapped and packed. I also keep some of these boxes for storage kekeke. I would’ve ordered more often from Amazon if their shipping wasn’t so much more expensive now.

This iz a very thorough research.

Among the 3 online shop i never exactly purchase anything directly from Amazon Jp. Why? I usually ask any of my friend or relatives in Japan to buy me something from Amazon Jp and then sending it to me using EMS or Airmail.
Therefore my friend or relatives can put something else such as booklets, letter or candies^^ and they say cheaper shipping cost.

My reason for using HMV Japan is they have a great service and nice packing.
Although Cd Japan’s search engine is alot better than HMVs

of course it’s not all about points or shipping cost, i guess sometimes people shop becoz they just like it or already like it and don’t wanna change their preferences.
But it’s also good to consider everything before making your choice.