"Dealing" with Japanese dealers?

[bassduke49]

Folks, just wondering if anyone has had experience purchasing instruments from Japanese dealers? I'm looking at a Turq 4001V63 from a dealer who has given me a quote for purchase price and for shipping. Way back when I was in the service, I had the opportunity to purchase a few thou worth of camera gear in Tokyo, and it was customary to dicker a bit on the price. Is this still routine nowadays when dealing overseas and on line? Any experience you've had will be helpful. Thanks in advance.

[antipodean]

You need to tread a fine line here - prices can be negotiable, I remember getting some great bargains when I lived in Tokyo, but low-balling can be treated as being disrespectful, which is an unforgivable sin in Japanese culture, and there is a very fine line between hard bargaining and low-balling. I have to admit I haven't tried bargaining on-line as I like to read the reactions of salesperson, which you can't really do via email. Probably the best way to go is to ask whether they can improve the price at all without specifying your own number (ie the old "open question" gambit). This gives them the opportunity to respectfully decline or to kick off the bargaining process, and will give you a signal as to how the process will work.

[Mr.Mow]

Guess my experience wasn't worth much then..

Lets see.. 20 guitars from Japan over the last 3 years.. oh well... online and in shop..

[winston]

Not at all Russell. It's all about how you present your experience.