6/29/2005

Despite the fact most fans want to collect anime swag at some point in their lives, a surprising number of people simply don’t know where to find merchandise, particularly toys, figures, CDs and whatnot from Japan. Sure, the local comic shop stocks the latest DBZ DVD and a sizable collection of Kenshin action figures, but those are licensed North American (or whatever your country may be) products, not the cool phone straps and pencil boards you keep seeing pictures of. You know you want them!

Then, today’s post is on finding anime swag on the Internet, and how to buy without getting burned.

1. eBay. Though overpriced most of the time, eBay will be in your language (usually) and the product descriptions will let you know exactly what you’ll receive. You don’t necessarily need a credit card if the auction allows alternate forms us payment, such as money orders. Another bonus to using eBay is the purchase protection offered by PayPal, a quick and easy online money transfer service. You can link a PayPal account to a bank account or credit card, protecting your purchase if anything goes wrong, and safeguarding your information from potential bad transactions at the hands of the auctioneer.

2. Yahoo!Japan: Daunting for the average English-speaking buyer, but doubtlessly the best selection at the best prices. You’ll need what’s known as a “deputy” – a service in possession of a Japanese Yahoo account, that can bid, receive the item, and ship it to you wherever you may be. I’d recommend ShoppingMallJapan or Celga to perform this service; I have tried them both and found them reliable and easy to work with. Beware of deputy services that charge large fees – you have to expect a few, of course, but you shouldn’t have to pay for your purchase twice over. Read recommendations on deputies before you use them!

3. Dealer Websites: Places such as J-List and AnimeNation are just a few of the reputable sites out there. As always, do your homework, especially if you’re outside the U.S. – American stores are plentiful but their shipping charges can hit you hard. Make sure you have a solid shipping price or at least a good estimate before you buy. And try to avoid buying meltable candy such as Pocky if you live in a warm area – going to a local store may be pricier, but you’ll receive it intact. Also, when dealing with unfamiliar websites, read their privacy policies and security measures to insure your credit card and personal information will not be misused.

4. Fan Websites: Where you’re headed to acquire VHS fansubs, cels, or parts of personal collections; these are fan-run sites, such as the LiveJournal Garage Sale Japan community. It’s hard to do a background check on these sites so you have to take them at their word. Never pay more than media cost for fansubs, and do trades if possible – movies are actually less likely to get lost or stolen in the mail than a money order. Always make sure packages are insured, and keep M.O. stubs and other proof of payment.

Stay tuned for the ‘local’ half of the Swag Hunt tomorrow! ;)