Ebay?

[chiiyo]

I don't have a credit card, so I don't buy off Ebay at all, but I was just wondering, who else buys off Ebay? If so, what determines whether the item gets sold in Ebay or in the Ichiroya website? Just curious, because some of the stuff on Ebay looks really good.

[fraise]

I buy most of my kimono off ebay. I have a credit card but can only use it with Ichiroya, because it's from a US bank (I'm American) but I live in France - PayPal won't even let me sign up because of the different addresses Anyway, another option is international postal money orders (IPMOs) - they're safe, reliable, not too expensive (though that depends on your country of residence), and take as long as regular airmail to reach Japan. Some countries have an electronic IPMO option that may be free (it is in France), where it only takes a day and both parties are notified by email.

[chiiyo]

*heh* Actually when I buy things from Ichiroya I usually send US$ notes to them by mail... hidden amongst sheets of letters and in a security envelope... but still... *grin* Ichiro-san has been very kind to agree to receiving payment like this, or I would have never been able to buy anything off Ichiroya.

But I do wonder, what is the difference between stuff on ebay and stuff on the site? Is there any difference at all?

[Kiyoaki]

Lili,

I've asked Wada san the very same question. I got a vague answer, which didn't seem to gel in any clear way.

From my own observations though, they offer as varied a sampling on E-bay as on their own web site. If there is a distinction to be made, the better (and more expensive) things tend to end up on their web site and bypass the auction process althogether.

If I speculated further why one site and not the other, I'd say it 's a matter of marketing. The E-bay offerings serve as a general sampling. Once someone has 'broken the ice' by buying an item there, they might more readily pursue their specialized interest by buying from the web site. In essence, E-bay is the introduction and the Flea Market is where on-going relationships are nurtured.

In addition, the E-bay site is where new categories first get their try outs. Up until three months ago, Wada san had never offered any kesa or clerical garments. Lately, they have developed their offerings to such an extent that a half dozen items are currently listed. But they've only listed one kesa on their web site so far.

It seems to boil down to wether an item is unusual and expensive, or wether it's average and in general demand. The former type ends up on their web site; the latter goes to E-bay.

Personally, I make no distinction. I check in both places. If I buy more often through E-bay, it's only because all the best things disappear so quickly from the Flea Market site. To me, each site serves a different purpose.

Kiyoaki

[chiiyo]

*ponders* I see... thank you for your observation, it would be most helpful... if I ever get my hands on a credit card... *smile* Honestly, though, some of the items there are nice... I think it's quite ironic that things listed at the site go faster than those listed in ebay...

[sg715]

Those are some interesting points.

I wonder, once I saw an uchikake listed on Ichiroya's web site, and a few months later I saw them offering it up on Ebay, apparently unchanged. What happened?

[Carmen]

I'm betting that if an item doesn't move quickly on the Ichiroya site (I know, hard to imagine), it might end up on ebay. I've bought from both, but I do agree with Kiyoaki that the super-nice stuff goes on the Ichiroya site. I'm kind of excited, too, that they seem to be offering a variety of items lately, not strictly limited to kimono and accessories. I'm pretty sure I saw some Edo-period dolls in their ebay listings recently. COOL!

Carmen

[sg715]

That's what I was almost sure of too, except, I noticed that there were kimono that had been listed EARLIER that are still there on the site to this day. How strange.

[Kiyoaki]

sg715

It can take a while for something to sell on E-bay so you could see an item offered more than once. I know for a fact that some items go through several cycles before finally selling. Of course occasionally an item that hasn't sold after several tries disappears for a period and then reappears (according to the seller's whim).

I know of one seller that eventually 'retires' items that don't sell on E-Bay after several tries to his own web site. I guess it boils down to judgment as to where best to sell something. So if you see something appearing in both venues in succession, it may have more to do with trial and error than a concerted plan.

Kiyoaki

[Haruko]

I agree with everyone that the website stuff seems better (albeit more expensive)...

kannazuki chiiyo - if you saw something for sale from Ichiro-san on Ebay that you liked he might let you pay through your usual way if you win the auction... They are so nice and always combine shipments for me to save on shipping costs when I buy from Ebay and their website... just a thought

[sg715]

That's really interesting Kiyoaki.

I know of one seller who must have relisted the same item 7 times. I'd be tempeted to bid on it just to see it sold if it weren't so darn expensive

[Flock]

I give ebay 5 stars, I have found many cheap things.. 2 juban, one for 11 dolars and one for 14, numerous kimono.. etc.
It's good even for a browse to get a feel for the prices and range, and there are the odd unique bargains too, keep yer eyes peeled!

[Sue]

Hi Chiiyo
It's me again ! Just read your question about buying from ebay. I use it all the time for various things. Have had some great bargains! I don't have a credit card either, but I do have a debit card. When you're buying from all over the world, its best to use PayPal, as the money is transfered immediately so you receive your purchases quickly.
Hope this info helps. ;D

[Flock]

oh, and Chiiyo, I seem to remember you mentioning you're still at high school, well so am I actually, and not old enough for a credit card .. But! My mother lets me use her debit card so I just put my money in her bank account and spend spend spend.
Though I don't anymore because I spent all my money on kimono. HMM