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Ask HN: Demand for curated online marketplace of authentic Japanese goods?
Dear HN,
Are you interested in a reliable source to purchase authentic Japanese products? We want to hear from you!
We are currently exploring the possibility of creating a curated online marketplace for unique and genuine Japanese goods.
From rare "sake" and whisky to anime merchandise, traditional crafts, and premium wagyu beef, our platform offers a wide range of products that can only be found in Japan.
Whether you're buying for personal use or looking for the perfect souvenir, we've got you covered.
Unlike some large online marketplaces where knock-offs and fake products run rampant, we take quality control seriously.
But what do you think? Is there a demand for this type of service?
And if so, what types of products would you be most interested in buying?
We'd love to hear your thoughts and feedback.
Thank you.
- PaulHoule 4y agoI buy electronics (minidisc) and anime stuff on Ebay and I’m not too concerned about fakes. (e.g. if I got a $250 anime PVC and it was a fake I’d be mad but if it is a $25 anime PVC who cares?)
- somahir__ 4y agoThanks for sharing your experience. It's good to know that you are open to purchasing from platforms like Ebay. We understand that different customers may have different levels of concern about this matter.
- PaulHoule 4y agoIt depends on what it is. If it is some exotic fashion brand that few people had heard about I would not be worried about fakes. If it was Nike however I would only buy online from the Nike store and certainly not Amazon. What I found about online stores for high fashion brands is that your credit card gets stolen at a high rate, the first thing my son bought with his debit card was a pair of Beretta pants (same as the gun) and they had a breach.
- somahir__ 4y agoI see. Thank you for sharing your experience and concerns!
- abudabi123 4y agoI want to bulk buy “Ito En“ Oi Ocha from Japan's #1 Tea Company in 144 teabag box with easy re-order function. + itoen-global.com
- somahir__ 4y agoThank you for your comment!
- mostlysimilar 4y agoMy trust in 3rd party intermediaries has been wrecked by the decline of the Amazon experience, but a marketplace that puts the brand front and center and and takes its job as a gatekeeper of quality seriously would have my business. Quality control and discoverability are the most important factors for me. I seek out Japanese products for their craftsmanship and simple aesthetics, so in general the service sounds appealing.
- somahir__ 4y agoThank you for your comment. It's true that there's always some dissatisfaction with larger marketplaces, and I appreciate your input. We'll take your feedback into account as we continue to build our service!
- Dracophoenix 4y agoI definitely like the idea, but a few questions: Is this actually a marketplace where you can buy from companies and Japanese sellers or just a proxying service? What are the shipping costs on the customer's end? What's your return policy? Do these goods include old/rare video games and "Galapagos" tech?
- somahir__ 4y agoThank you for your interest. Our plans are still in the works, but we'll definitely keep your thoughts in mind. Any additional advice is welcome! ①This is actually a platform where we can purchase goods from Japanese craftsmen and manufacturers directly. ②At the moment, we are still working on determining the best shipping costs and return policy for our customers. We understand that many e-commerce sites that export overseas have established good practices, and we will thoroughly research and adopt these practices to ensure the best possible experience for our customers. ③At the moment, we are still exploring various product categories to focus on and determine which ones would be in high demand. If there is a strong need for old/rare video games and 'Galapagos' tech, we would definitely consider adding them to our offerings.
- batmaniam 4y agoHow are you going to deal with scammers who buy your product but then do a chargeback once you ship it overseas?
- somahir__ 4y agoThank you for raising this concern. Honestly, we haven't fully considered this issue yet, and we're currently researching best practices and considering the best approach, to build a method that customers can use with peace of mind. If you have any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.
- embeng4096 4y agoI think there is a demand for this service, as a similar service seems to be offered by Japan Rabbit[0] (sorry if you already were aware). But it's a proxy service (as mentioned by another commenter) while it sounds like you are purchasing direct. I would buy sake, and I have heard the Japanese-exclusive Peace cigarettes are a treat, have been on the search for those. You have a cool idea, good luck! [0]: https://japanrabbit.com/ https://japanrabbit.com/
- somahir__ 4y agoThank you for your comment! We believe that customers would prefer to purchase directly from a marketplace that sources its products, rather than using a proxy service like Japan Rabbit. As for the UX, we understand that manually searching and inputting URLs like Japan Rabbit can be a hassle, which is why we strive to provide a seamless and user-friendly experience for our customers. What do you think of these points?
- embeng4096 3y agoI only brought up the other service for context and answering your question of whether there is demand, I wasn’t intending it as a way of saying “already done” - sorry that that was the message communicated. Agreed with both of your points!
- somahir__ 3y agoYes, I know your intention! Thank you!