SlapbassSteve Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Hi all, after seeing a few mentions for the Japanese site Ishibashi I though I'd investigate, and there is some lovely stuff on there! Just wondering if anyone's had any experience with the site before, and any info such as how long it generally takes postagewise, and if there are any issues with import tax or anything? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 (edited) I've bought 4 basses from Ishibashi (all from the Ubox) and provided that you get your enquiry in early enough I've never had any problems with them. The trick with making sure you get the bass you are after is to ask them to reserve it for you when you make your initial enquiry - Ishibashi is also a chain of actual shops in Japan and if you don't reserve what you are interested in there is a possibility that some will walk in off the street and buy it. The only problems I've ever had when trying to buy something from them is that the bass got sold between my seeing it on the site and them receiving my email - remember that Japan are ahead of us in time so when you see something on their site in morning it's already been on sale in Japan for a whole day! As for shipping and customs, expect to pay around £100 for shipping depending on size and weight (ask for a shipping quote when you reserve the bass) and you will have to pay another 25% approximately in VAT and import duties. Shipping takes around 10 days from you paying Ishibashi to receiving a VAT/customs demand from Parcel Force. IMO once you factor in those other costs Ishibashi is only really worth it for second hand basses that aren't available in the UK already. HTH. Edited November 23, 2012 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Agree with Mr BRX, that unless what you're looking at isn't available in the UK/Europe then buying from Japan doesn't make economic sense these days. Back in 06/07 £1 would get you around Y250, these days it gets around Y130. It means that the used Yamaha BB1024 (priced at Y73,143, minus Japanese Sales Tax, which works out around £550/£560), including shipping, duties and VAT, works out around £830/£840. You can buy a new example here for around £700, and even the full list price is circa £890. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Does this mean Ishibashi still sell to customers abroad? From remarks here, I thought they had stopped doing that unless you had some special contact with them. Or is this about new non-export items only? best, bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noelk27 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 (edited) Have suspended selling outside Japan at certain times, but still sell/ship internationally [url="http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/eng/howtoorder.html"]http://www.ishibashi...howtoorder.html[/url] Edit: Also worth noting the minimum order amount (Y50,000) is circa £380, and that the minimum excludes shipping charges. Edited November 23, 2012 by noelk27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 Ishibashi aren't allowed to sell you some new items (mainly MIJ Fenders) but anything in the Ubox should be available for export (and let's face it, that's where all the really interesting stuff is) just so long as you meet the minimum order amount of ¥50,000 (thanks noelk27). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooks79 Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1353667765' post='1877105'] I've bought 4 basses from Ishibashi (all from the Ubox) [/quote] Sorry if this is me being thick, but what is the Ubox? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 [quote name='Wooks79' timestamp='1353688256' post='1877522'] Sorry if this is me being thick, but what is the Ubox? [/quote] It's their fantastic used selection (which on line is from all the shops in the chain). [url=http://store.ishibashi.co.jp/ec/srDispCategoryTreeLink/doSearchCategory/11933200000/04-05/3/1]Here's what's currently available in the bass section.[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted November 23, 2012 Share Posted November 23, 2012 (edited) Ah! Thanks, guys! best, bert Edited November 23, 2012 by BassTractor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlapbassSteve Posted November 24, 2012 Author Share Posted November 24, 2012 Cheers for all the info folks! Shame it's not quite the bargain bin I was expecting once you've imported, but there is some beautiful stuff on there... one day..! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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