I have been wondering about Yodobashi's business
strategies. Here are my thoughts:
1. Internet usage is still limited in Japan because
of 'monopolized' telephone line eventhough the
goverment says it is deregulated.
2. I am sure Yodobashi realizes (it is same with
Olympus Co. or any corporations in Japan for
that matter) with recessed domestic economy
for the last 7 years or so has to cultivate
new products sales. They are no longer camera
outlet. They became sort of Circuit City in
the US where they carry house-hold appliances
in addition to electronic gadgets.
3. If you visit large electronics outlet such
as Ishimaru or Yodobashi, they have sections
called 'Duty Free' where they do not impose
any Japanese consumption taxes. But when you
purchase items from these sections they will
issue corporate 'international warranty' forms.
As long as you have valid international warranty
form you are legally entitled for manufacturer's
defect repairs - usually good for one year.
Regards,
Jim Terazawa
Tomoko Yamamoto wrote:
> This morning I received another e-mail from Yodobashi Camera. I thought that
> you might be interested in their answers.
>
> I asked if they have a system of the consumption tax refund like the VAT
> refund.
> The answer was no, but the store is prepared to make some discount if you ask
> for one and you are from outside of Japan.
>
> The other question of mine was possible international Internet sales. They
> said
> that they have received numerous inquiries from overseas customers regarding
> the
> possibility. After all there are many Japanese living abroad who might want
> to
> purchase cameras at Japanese prices. At this point the answer was no. They
> are not prepared to ship products overseas. They added that they would keep
> in
> mind this type of requests for the future considerations.
>
> I mentioned "Sanpou" yesterday where they are selling new OM-3Ti/4Ti at
> reasonable prices. When I visited their Web site again today, I noticed that
> their Internet sales are limited to Japan.
>
> Hopefully, in the future this situation will change. In the long run,
> companies
> like Olympus having a special niche product line will benefit from the
> globalization of their market. People will buy whatever the prices are
> reasonable. I wonder how the warranty repairs will be paid for under those
> circumstances.
>
> Tomoko Yamamoto
> mailto:tomokoy@xxxxxxxxx
> http://www.charm.net/~tomokoy/
>
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