[digitalandfilm]

Not only do they sell pretty minty stuff, but the always seem to include little gifts.

[digitalandfilm]

Forgot the photo..

[Moe49]

+1
I received a red paper swan from Matsuiya Store (I think) along with a FA*200mm lens.
The swan is still on the bulletin board here in my office, 5 years later.

More importantly, I have never received a 'lemon' from a Japanese eBay vendor.
All Pentax gear I have purchased from any Japanese eBay vendor has been just as described and pictured.
The latest being a mint FA*85mm lens

[TER-OR]

They still value the old-fashioned gift culture. Promotional giveaways in my industry (food) are always cool, even if they're just pens or USB sticks, they have style.

And paper is very much an artisan industry there - gift and stationary, anyway. I've seen some really beautiful cards.

[Wild Mark]

I agree with all that is said above. I love buying from Japan for this reason.

I have received a lens that is not as described in the last 24hrs (infinity focus is not there) and am discussing quite cordially with the seller. Seems we will come to a solution without any shouting or disagreement. Really pleasing and refreshing.

[ChrisPlatt]

Yes, in my experience they are very reliable and honorable sellers.
They continue to maintain an uncommonly high standard of customer service.

A few years ago most items from Japanese sellers on eBay were pristine.
Recently I have noticed less than perfect used gear is now filtering through,
though often still described as "near mint" or EX +++ etc.
Fortunately their thorough photos document it accurately.

Chris

[digitalandfilm]

I'm very happy with the sharpness of the DA 70mm 2.4 ltd lens I got - here's a quick straight out of camera jpg to test image quality:

---------- Post added 07-21-16 at 06:53 PM ----------

+1
I received a red paper swan from Matsuiya Store (I think) along with a FA*200mm lens.
The swan is still on the bulletin board here in my office, 5 years later.

More importantly, I have never received a 'lemon' from a Japanese eBay vendor.
All Pentax gear I have purchased from any Japanese eBay vendor has been just as described and pictured.
The latest being a mint FA*85mm lens

I also never got a lemon..

Attached Images

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[monochrome]

Yes, in my experience they are very reliable and honorable sellers.
They continue to maintain an uncommonly high standard of customer service.

A few years ago most items from Japanese sellers on eBay were pristine.
Recently I have noticed less than perfect used gear is now filtering through,
though often still described as "near mint" or EX +++ etc.
Fortunately their thorough photos document it accurately.

Chris

I think all the really good stuff is put away. I know we could get pristine lenses with shiny caps on US eBay 15 years ago - but not now. Same seems to have happened in Japan as collector / gentle user estates were liquidated and the user kits are showing up now.

[freddyisaac]

generally my experiences with Japanese sellers has been very positive - especially the little origami things they tend to throw in - nice little touch

Had one bad lens and it was a nightmare as paypal insisted that it was returned USPS with full tracking which cost an arm and a leg - and then they tried to get out of paying for the shipping they insisted on after offering it in the first place. So just be warned about paypal (and expensive return shipping)... they say that they are fantastic but when it comes down to it they truly are bloody difficult to deal with. But the seller did give a full refund. So it wasn't really the sellers fault.

Cheers

[Quartermaster James]

generally my experiences with Japanese sellers has been very positive - especially the little origami things they tend to throw in - nice little touch

Had one bad lens and it was a nightmare as paypal insisted that it was returned USPS with full tracking which cost an arm and a leg - and then they tried to get out of paying for the shipping they insisted on after offering it in the first place. So just be warned about paypal (and expensive return shipping)... they say that they are fantastic but when it comes down to it they truly are bloody difficult to deal with. But the seller did give a full refund. So it wasn't really the sellers fault.

Cheers

Ditto. In fact, I keep one nice note and origami crane on the wall in my office. It never fails to cheer me.

[HopelessTogger]

Not only do they sell pretty minty stuff, but the always seem to include little gifts.

Yup!

I got a Japanese green tea KitKat through the post recently and the seller had kindly included a complementary brand new Zeiss Distagon T* 2/35 ZK in the box.

[Arjay Bee]

Japanese green tea KitKat

Must have cost a lot and been a collectors item to earn such an expensive 'gift'. ;-)

[rafaelt]

I received a note and paper crane from a Japanese eBay seller, too.

[gofour3]

I've bought a lot of cameras and lenses from Japan and all transactions have been perfect. As previously mentioned the sellers usually include ample photos of the items.

Phil.

[Fat Albert]

I would rather buy from Japanese eBay sellers before all others. Their gear is accurately described and their item photos aren't trying to hide anything with funny angles, etc. The one small problem I ever had with a Japanese seller's item was resolved quickly and amicably, and I actually used that seller for more purchases because I knew he was honest and dealing in good faith.