Presentation: Smarter Anime Shopping

[RoseTech]

Sorry, I should have actually posted this sooner. I'll be doing the Smarter Anime Shopping presentation again this year. I am currently updating the presentation to add new info and reflect some changes to the industry. Because it's a pretty info-packed session squeezed into 50 minutes I've found just doing this solo is best, but if anyone has any suggestions to improve or change or focus on something more, etc., I'm all ears!! (And if you really want to join me and think it'll make the presentation even better, I'm all ears to that too!)

Description:
Save your money, already! (anyone who recognizes this guy is a true Canadian of Y2K! lol)
Shop smarter and safer at shops, conventions, resale, and online (in Canada & from Japan), for all kinds of anime products.

Background:
The objective of this presentation is to give Canadian otaku more "consumer power" in regards to anime merchandise. Too many people, far and wide, get ripped off and lose countless dollars for both genuine (due to unreasonable markup) and counterfeit items from vendors in the dealer's room, in bricks-and-mortar stores, online, everywhere. A lot of this happens just because of the lack of knowledge. Simply assuming that everything is expensive in Japan is not the way to go. While there is a lot of info online, it's not organized or presented very well. There's also the misconception that personally importing directly from Japan is more costly than buying locally. I explain how in almost all cases, it is indeed the opposite -- importing from Japan on the cheap is the way to go. I try to disseminate as much useful information as possible because, especially in these kinds of cases, knowledge is power™.

Outline:
1. Introduction/Motivating Examples
2. Importing Anime Merchandise
3. Buying Domestically (includes localized [English-language] anime BDs and manga volumes)
4. Counterfeits and Unauthorized Merchandise* (includes real con examples)
5. Doujinshi and Doujin goods

*Refers to "grey area" merchandise; image-printed goods (apparel, mousepads, posters, etc.) from unknown sources

[crownowa]

Wjat about preordering vs buying when already released, buying new vs. Second hand, and buying second hand locally vs. In Japan (you'd need a proxy)?

[RoseTech]

May 5, 2019 10:27:37 GMT -5 crownowa said:

Wjat about preordering vs buying when already released, buying new vs. Second hand, and buying second hand locally vs. In Japan (you'd need a proxy)?

Yup, I do cover all of those. I'll give some overviews.

Deciding on preordering is pretty much the same as here. If you really want it, best to preorder it. Whether you pay any amount before it releases depends on the store and item, but usually there is no pre-payment. Preordering everything in Japan is super common; in fact, some items are only available as a preorder in a specified period (these might require pre-payment). Standard stuff.

I do stress the viability of purchasing second-hand over new when it's available. Compared to the second-hand market in the west, the Japanese market is very rich in quality, inexpensive merchandise. eBay is a last resort (applies to all things, new or used). Almost all items sold in used item stores in Japan are usually assumed to be like new. Aside from convention flea markets like our Nominoichi* (ironically, Japanese don't say "Nominoichi" because it's too old-fashioned, they say either "bazaar" or "flea market" lol), I recommend buying from Japan. A proxy is not necessarily required. Some directly ship to you, the major one being Mandarake. I also provide some detail on other stores/auction/market sites and using a forwarding or proxy shopping service.

*Even Nominoichi has its ripoffs though, which I'll also cover.

[crownowa]

Very cool. I think the figurine panel is going to be discussing all this in relation to figurines, so it would be nice if you don't overlap 100%.

[RoseTech]

May 5, 2019 21:08:31 GMT -5 crownowa said:

Very cool. I think the figurine panel is going to be discussing all this in relation to figurines, so it would be nice if you don't overlap 100%.

For sure. I'm part of that panel as well. The overlap is mainly the mentioning of online stores. The figure collecting panel covers the entire figure collecting experience: the basics, where to buy, handling, storage, insurance, maintenance, etc.

This presentation (with full A/V) squarely focuses on being a more savvy consumer (knowing prices, availability, vendor-created pitfalls, counterfeits, etc.) when it comes to buying any anime merchandise, inclusive of figures. Time and time again I am surprised of how little the average con goer knows, wasting their money, badly. Counterfeit items and absurd mark-up abound, sometimes it still surprises me even in 2019.

"Everything is expensive in Japan" is simply not true. Don't let perceived unavailability warp your judgement! With better judgement and knowledge, I want our fellow otaku to save their money (so they can get more things they want 😉)!