Buying in-store from Kitamura Camera Shinjuku Tokyo

[bucs]

I am travelling to Tokyo and will be there for only 3 days (1st week of Nov). I saw some items on Kitamura’s web/online shop which I am interested in purchasing but they are in other store locations (in other prefectures)

I read it’s possible to request the store which I will be visiting (Shinjuku-Main) to have the items shipped from other store locations, for inspection before I decide to purchase the items. However, I understand the request has to be done/made in-store (i.e. while I’m there)? If so, given the tight schedule, if I make the request on my 1st day, will the items be there by the 3rd day?

Of course I could buy them online but I would like to take advantage of tax-free shopping lol.

Would appreciate if Japan-based members can chime in or those who have availed of the service from Kitamura. Thanks all!

 

[jonmanjiro]

Depends on how far the store with the item is from the Shinjuku store. Items might arrive in a day or two if the store is reasonably close or has well connected logistics (Kanto or Osaka region) but it may take longer for items to arrive from stores in Shikoku or Kyushu for example.
You can also request items to be sent to another store online in advance, but you'll have to navigate Kitamura's Japanese language website to do that.
Note that if you do get an item shipped to Shinjuku from another store, but don't end up buying it, Kitamura will charge you a nominal fee for postage.

 

[bucs]

Depends on how far the store with the item is from the Shinjuku store. Items might arrive in a day or two if the store is reasonably close or has well connected logistics (Kanto or Osaka region) but it may take longer for items to arrive from stores in Shikoku or Kyushu for example.
You can also request items to be sent to another store online in advance, but you'll have to navigate Kitamura's Japanese language website to do that.
Note that if you do get an item shipped to Shinjuku from another store, but don't end up buying it, Kitamura will charge you a nominal fee for postage.

Thanks for responding, Jon. I’ll try and see if I can find that request online.

 

[TenEleven]

Just a fair word of warning that Kitamuras grading system is a bit of a joke.
As is their claim that "maintenance performed by ICS". Maybe banging it on the table in frustration constitutes as maintenance at Kitamura... I don't know

So yeah it's probably a good idea to look at things in-person.

 

[bucs]

Just a fair word of warning that Kitamuras grading system is a bit of a joke.
As is their claim that "maintenance performed by ICS". Maybe banging it on the table in frustration constitutes as maintenance at Kitamura... I don't know

So yeah it's probably a good idea to look at things in-person.

Hahaha! I still haven’t figured it out though. I sent an email. Hope they respond.

My second option would be to head out to Fujiya in Nakano which has most of the used items i’m looking at. At least as of this moment.

 

[Rayt]

Hahaha! I still haven’t figured it out though. I sent an email. Hope they respond.

My second option would be to head out to Fujiya in Nakano which has most of the used items i’m looking at. At least as of this moment.

I second the recommendation for Fujiya. Very honest and conservative rating system. MapCamera is also good.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I've had my share of issues with Fujiya and Map, and Kitamura too. I think the most important thing is to buy from a shop that has a return window, so if you do find a problem with an item you can return it (that may not mean much to someone from overseas who is here a few days though). Fujiya, Map, and Kitamura all offer 14 days. Other stores offer a much shorter return window or none at all.

 

[bucs]

Short update in case someone from overseas is interested in buying stuff in-store from the Kitamura chain (multiple locations):

I got a response via email from the Shinjuku store, and they will try to assist. I provided all the item details and product codes. They’re asking for a nominal fee to ship the items to the main store — JPY550 per item.

Contacted them via their email below: (address edited by moderator so bots don't find it and spam them)
1934_Shinjuku (at) mgw.kitamura.co.jp (change "(at)" to "@" and remove spaces)

 

[TenEleven]

What Jon said, basically carefully check in person and make sure you have a return window.

If the store does not have a returns policy (for example the appropriately named Lemon) make sure the price is right reflecting that.

 

[MISH]

On my recent trip to Tokyo I had a very pleasant experience at Kitamura Camera. Definitely a happy place for me. The sheer amount of used equipment is incredible. Leica prices anywhere in Japan seemed a little high to me but I bought a really nice black Nikon F2 plain prism body off the good equipment floor and a Pen F body and lens off the junk or untested floor. The salesman actually tried to talk me out of the Pen F saying it might not be good but even figuring in the price of a CLA it was a good deal

 

[Alpsman]

A vacation in Tokyo combined with a trip through the many camera shops could be my financial death.
If I found a Nikon SP with a motor drive and the Nikon F's cordless battery pack, like the one in R. Rotoloni's book on page 434, I'd lose my mind.