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The service is simple, no fancy tech (it's just a bunch of Python). Possibly the initial appeal was that random-boxes-of-surprises services were rare, and my op

by bemmu 9y ago

The service is simple, no fancy tech (it's just a bunch of Python). Possibly the initial appeal was that random-boxes-of-surprises services were rare, and my openness with the numbers.

sharkweek 9y ago
Here's what's fun about it - it's literally just a random box of interesting candy that shows up at the door like a little surprise. I love little surprises. Shit, I love when I order something on Amazon, even if it's boring, and getting the package delivered. This is 100x more exciting than that! Kudos to you, Bemmu, this is a very fun idea, and I hope you continue to see success from it.
tunnuz 9y ago
What is exciting for me is that you documented the whole process from the start and, notably, that you actually built it, it didn't stay just an idea. I find that inspiring.
Razengan 9y ago
You should expand the service (or start a new one) into other categories of physical goods: manga, novels, video games, figurines and other merchandise not found anywhere else outside of Japan. Let subscribers pick their preferred categories and allow them to choose the amount of money they want to pay each month + shipping costs, then you go out and buy random things from one or more of those categories (in order of user preference), and keep a record of which items you sent to each customer, to avoid duplicates. Social fluff: Let users post on-site reviews of the items they receive from you. Ideal outcome: People discover the uniqueness of Japan, share it with their friends and other users, and you help spread some joy and pocket the change.
- LeonidasXIV 9y ago
  > You should expand the service (or start a new one) into other categories of physical goods: manga, novels, video games, figurines and other merchandise not found anywhere else outside of Japan. But then he'd be competing with established players like http://shop.j-subculture.com/ http://shop.j-subculture.com/
  - Razengan 9y ago
    Of course there would already be other regular shopping/shipping services. What I was suggesting was for Candy Japan to pick and curate the items themselves, without the subscribers knowing what they’ll get. So it would be extending the theme of receiving random surprises from Japan.
- aninhumer 9y ago
  How about just offering other kinds of snacks? I'm vaguely interested in this service, but I'm also trying not to eat too much sugar.
  - tallanvor 9y ago
    It's already a combination of sweet and savory snacks. Personally, what I don't like are the kits where you have to mix things with little cups of water and such. They're never satisfying, and I think they include too many of them.
  - mercurysmessage 9y ago
    Japanese sweets, especially chocolate, taste like they have less sugar to me. They might be the same, but you could be better off with them than others.

by bemmu 9y ago

The service is simple, no fancy tech (it's just a bunch of Python). Possibly the initial appeal was that random-boxes-of-surprises services were rare, and my openness with the numbers.

sharkweek 9y ago

Here's what's fun about it - it's literally just a random box of interesting candy that shows up at the door like a little surprise. I love little surprises. Shit, I love when I order something on Amazon, even if it's boring, and getting the package delivered. This is 100x more exciting than that! Kudos to you, Bemmu, this is a very fun idea, and I hope you continue to see success from it.

tunnuz 9y ago

What is exciting for me is that you documented the whole process from the start and, notably, that you actually built it, it didn't stay just an idea. I find that inspiring.

Razengan 9y ago

You should expand the service (or start a new one) into other categories of physical goods: manga, novels, video games, figurines and other merchandise not found anywhere else outside of Japan. Let subscribers pick their preferred categories and allow them to choose the amount of money they want to pay each month + shipping costs, then you go out and buy random things from one or more of those categories (in order of user preference), and keep a record of which items you sent to each customer, to avoid duplicates. Social fluff: Let users post on-site reviews of the items they receive from you. Ideal outcome: People discover the uniqueness of Japan, share it with their friends and other users, and you help spread some joy and pocket the change.

LeonidasXIV 9y ago
> You should expand the service (or start a new one) into other categories of physical goods: manga, novels, video games, figurines and other merchandise not found anywhere else outside of Japan. But then he'd be competing with established players like http://shop.j-subculture.com/ http://shop.j-subculture.com/
- Razengan 9y ago
  Of course there would already be other regular shopping/shipping services. What I was suggesting was for Candy Japan to pick and curate the items themselves, without the subscribers knowing what they’ll get. So it would be extending the theme of receiving random surprises from Japan.
aninhumer 9y ago
How about just offering other kinds of snacks? I'm vaguely interested in this service, but I'm also trying not to eat too much sugar.
- tallanvor 9y ago
  It's already a combination of sweet and savory snacks. Personally, what I don't like are the kits where you have to mix things with little cups of water and such. They're never satisfying, and I think they include too many of them.
- mercurysmessage 9y ago
  Japanese sweets, especially chocolate, taste like they have less sugar to me. They might be the same, but you could be better off with them than others.