Zenmarket - Anyone used it to purchase from Japan (Digimart etc)?

[cetera]

I'm interested in a bass on Digimart in Japan. Zenmarket seem to be the preferred handler for international purchases/shipping. Has anyone used it and what are your thoughts?

[BlueMoon]

Yes. It went smoothly for me………at least at the Japanese side.

 

They use EMS as a default, which is efficient and does their job well. The destination partner for EMS is likely to be Royal Mail in the UK. Here the partner is BPost………enough said. Five weeks to assess the import costs and administration fees.

 

So, for my single experience, it took 3 days to be exported from Japan and arrive in Belgium; one day in customs; 37 days with BPost awaiting presentation to customs! Needless to say, I won’t be using that service again. No fault with Zenmarket or EMS Japan though.

[madashell]

Hi, I just saw this thread. I'm looking tol buy a Greco Rickenfaker from Japan and I have the same issue. I know how much the bass is but Zenmarket can't/won't give me any idea as to what the shipping will cost BEFORE I buy it. That makes no sense to me as I've no idea what it'll ultimately cost incl import charges etc. More importantly I've no idea how much I've to lie to my wife and tell her what it'll cost! Granted I'm in Ireland so may vary cost wise but I'd imagine/hope it's simliar. Do you mind me asking what the shipping cost and how big the box was (if you have any remote ide?!). Thanks in advance, Matt

Edited 2 hours ago by madashell

[BlueMoon]

Welcome to Basschat, Matt!

 

Typical shipping costs to Europe from Japan to Europe with EMS should be in the €160 (gig bag) to €200 (hard case) range. Factor in (1) the purchase cost (should be free of local Japanese tax), (2) the shipping cost (see above, based on dimensions and weight), and (3) customs/import/VAT. (This normally runs to around 30% of (1) + (2).

 

if you are offered, or elect for, shipping via UPs, Fedex, DHL etc, then this can be upwards of €300 of declared value. Usually it’s faster than EMS.

 

Good luck…….I hope it goes well for you.

[Sean]

We have a preferred contact for helping with purchases from Digimart. 

I'll happily pass on the details. I've done it twice this year. 

[madashell]

On 01/11/2025 at 14:48, BlueMoon said:

Welcome to Basschat, Matt!

 

Typical shipping costs to Europe from Japan to Europe with EMS should be in the €160 (gig bag) to €200 (hard case) range. Factor in (1) the purchase cost (should be free of local Japanese tax), (2) the shipping cost (see above, based on dimensions and weight), and (3) customs/import/VAT. (This normally runs to around 30% of (1) + (2).

 

if you are offered, or elect for, shipping via UPs, Fedex, DHL etc, then this can be upwards of €300 of declared value. Usually it’s faster than EMS.

 

Good luck…….I hope it goes well for you.

Thanks heaps Blue Moon!

 

That's all good to know, there's one that I'm looking at that I think would cost about 900-1000 euros for a Greco RB 700 landed with all fees paid. I'm just a little unsure as to whether that's a good or not so good price, as in, am I better off waiting to see if something similar comes along here, on 'Rickenfakers' Facebook page or else something in the EU? Cheers again for the info!

 

 

[madashell]

On 01/11/2025 at 18:00, Sean said:

We have a preferred contact for helping with purchases from Digimart. 

I'll happily pass on the details. I've done it twice this year. 

Hi Sean, that's very kind of you, yeah, if you'd care to share that'd be greatfully obliged! Cheers, Matt

[Sean]

35 minutes ago, madashell said:

Hi Sean, that's very kind of you, yeah, if you'd care to share that'd be greatfully obliged! Cheers, Matt

PM sent.

[BlueMoon]

32 minutes ago, madashell said:

there's one that I'm looking at that I think would cost about 900-1000 euros for a Greco RB 700 landed with all fees paid. I'm just a little unsure as to whether that's a good or not so good price,

That sounds like a good deal. Greco Ricky copies from the 1970’s were pretty much the top of the heap back in the day. Arguably, they were so good that Rickenbacker took action to stop production, hence the term “lawsuit basses”. Prices are creeping up over time. I’ve seen them go for up to €1000 in Japan, so your “all in” price seems favourable.

 

Whatever, the quality of the Greco instruments is outstanding. A Chinabacker is a poor comparison if you don’t want hold out for a 2nd hand 4001/3.

[madashell]

15 minutes ago, BlueMoon said:

That sounds like a good deal. Greco Ricky copies from the 1970’s were pretty much the top of the heap back in the day. Arguably, they were so good that Rickenbacker took action to stop production, hence the term “lawsuit basses”. Prices are creeping up over time. I’ve seen them go for up to €1000 in Japan, so your “all in” price seems favourable.

 

Whatever, the quality of the Greco instruments is outstanding. A Chinabacker is a poor comparison if you don’t want hold out for a 2nd hand 4001/3.

Thanks mate, good to know. I'm really looking forward to eventualy getting one and knowing that that sort of money is ok reassures me. I've had a few MIJ Fenders and they were incredible so wouldn't doubt the quality of the Grecos and thankfully I can 'afford' it so don't have to go down the Chinabacker route. 

[madashell]

22 minutes ago, Sean said:

PM sent.

Thanks Sean, I'll check now. 👍