To tell the truth, I am slightly obsessed with cute Japanese accessories, plush toys and cartoon figures dangling from mobile phones. Unfortunately, most of the items are either not available in my home country or absurdly overpriced. The reason is quite simple: the vast majority of Japanese websites do not offer shipping to foreign countries. I have been trying to purchase goods several times but it’s been mostly miss. Even after I managed to translate merchant’s page using Google Translator, I tend to get stuck on the payment stage and could not get my credit card accepted. Some people even suggested me to make Japanese penpal friend online and ask him to help shipping my order. What a sick option…
If you think that I was ready to say goodbye to my dream, you are wrong! After days of surfing blogs and researching for forwarding services I found a couple of useful websites that ship goods to customers overseas without having to go through the nuances of Japanese payment system and dozens of 3rd parties. Hooray! I was so tired of fruitless navigating Japanese online stores, so I felt like I won the lottery. Seriously. When I decided to try the first service called Equinox Japan, I discovered that no Japanese language skills needed. However, I was little bit skeptical about it after so many failed attempts to order items and get them shipped overseas. But you know…no guts, no glory! Therefore, I decided to share my experience of shopping with Equinox for those who wish to get cool stuff from Japan. Hope it will be useful for all Japan lovers and kawaii fans!
Along with a shipping service, Equinox offers a wide range of high-quality goods made in Japan. They have video games, cellphone cases, beauty products, plush toys, manga and even Japanese condoms. Waaaaait, do not throw eggs on me, I was just surfing through the website while looking for plastic models! You know, I go through them as sweet tooth goes through a bag of freshly made donuts. Every time I clicked ‘next page’ I literally felt like floating on the cloud. So many figures I wished to get since I was a child! Seems like Equinox staff is pretty busy with uploading new items days and nights.
Step Second: Checkout
Finally, I found what I was desperately looking for *drums beating*. Incredibly cool 25-cm model of Shinya Kogami from Psycho-Pass! I could not even imagine that someday I will be lucky to get it. As I discovered the ordering process is quite standard - you should add chosen item to the cart and proceed to checkout. To make it faster, you can to register using social account in Facebook, Twitter or Google. Or simply enter you billing and shipping address like I did.
Step Third: Pay Online
I think it would be interesting for you to know that international shipping is absolutely free. Comparing to other Japanese stores that charge customers various fees, you get the item delivered to you at no cost. Getting used to be mercifully fleeced by all sorts of commissions, I was surprised to find out I have to pay fair price. In addition, Equinox works with PayPal that makes payment a hell of a lot easier. Actually, PayPal is not that widespread in Japan and it is a miracle they have it here.
What is Next?
Everything went smoothly, so I am waiting for my package to be delivered soon. In addition, I made my mind to try Equinox unique service called EJ Concierge next time. Only god knows how many nights I spent surfing through the Japanese Amazon website and drooling over the stylish dresses. Despite Amazon’s revised policy that made overseas shipping charges slightly cheaper, many retailers still do not have their profiles translated into English. Here at Equinox you can choose some items on Japanese online stores such as Amazon and send your request to ship it via EJ Concierge. No matter how far you reside from Japan, they will deliver it at no charge.
So…What Can I Say?
Let me expressing my humble opinion considering the subject. Honestly to say, I am really glad I found such a useful service for online shopping and international shipping. Variety of items, easy interface and absence of shipping charges are likely to make the life of Japan-obsessed shopaholics much easier. You can get some really cool articles from Japan for a decent price, and the process does not take much time. Hope, my experience was helpful for you! Please, do not hesitate to drop a line in the comments and let me know your precious opinion.
If you think that I was ready to say goodbye to my dream, you are wrong! After days of surfing blogs and researching for forwarding services I found a couple of useful websites that ship goods to customers overseas without having to go through the nuances of Japanese payment system and dozens of 3rd parties. Hooray! I was so tired of fruitless navigating Japanese online stores, so I felt like I won the lottery. Seriously. When I decided to try the first service called Equinox Japan, I discovered that no Japanese language skills needed. However, I was little bit skeptical about it after so many failed attempts to order items and get them shipped overseas. But you know…no guts, no glory! Therefore, I decided to share my experience of shopping with Equinox for those who wish to get cool stuff from Japan. Hope it will be useful for all Japan lovers and kawaii fans!
How It Works
Step First: Choose ItemAlong with a shipping service, Equinox offers a wide range of high-quality goods made in Japan. They have video games, cellphone cases, beauty products, plush toys, manga and even Japanese condoms. Waaaaait, do not throw eggs on me, I was just surfing through the website while looking for plastic models! You know, I go through them as sweet tooth goes through a bag of freshly made donuts. Every time I clicked ‘next page’ I literally felt like floating on the cloud. So many figures I wished to get since I was a child! Seems like Equinox staff is pretty busy with uploading new items days and nights.
Step Second: Checkout
Finally, I found what I was desperately looking for *drums beating*. Incredibly cool 25-cm model of Shinya Kogami from Psycho-Pass! I could not even imagine that someday I will be lucky to get it. As I discovered the ordering process is quite standard - you should add chosen item to the cart and proceed to checkout. To make it faster, you can to register using social account in Facebook, Twitter or Google. Or simply enter you billing and shipping address like I did.
Step Third: Pay Online
I think it would be interesting for you to know that international shipping is absolutely free. Comparing to other Japanese stores that charge customers various fees, you get the item delivered to you at no cost. Getting used to be mercifully fleeced by all sorts of commissions, I was surprised to find out I have to pay fair price. In addition, Equinox works with PayPal that makes payment a hell of a lot easier. Actually, PayPal is not that widespread in Japan and it is a miracle they have it here.
What is Next?
Everything went smoothly, so I am waiting for my package to be delivered soon. In addition, I made my mind to try Equinox unique service called EJ Concierge next time. Only god knows how many nights I spent surfing through the Japanese Amazon website and drooling over the stylish dresses. Despite Amazon’s revised policy that made overseas shipping charges slightly cheaper, many retailers still do not have their profiles translated into English. Here at Equinox you can choose some items on Japanese online stores such as Amazon and send your request to ship it via EJ Concierge. No matter how far you reside from Japan, they will deliver it at no charge.
So…What Can I Say?
Let me expressing my humble opinion considering the subject. Honestly to say, I am really glad I found such a useful service for online shopping and international shipping. Variety of items, easy interface and absence of shipping charges are likely to make the life of Japan-obsessed shopaholics much easier. You can get some really cool articles from Japan for a decent price, and the process does not take much time. Hope, my experience was helpful for you! Please, do not hesitate to drop a line in the comments and let me know your precious opinion.
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