Comments on: Where to buy electronics or computers in Osaka?

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:36:28 +0000

I just bought a DSLR at Tokiwa and they gave me excellent service. They changed the language to English for me, plus they had the best price on the Olympus I could find.

By: Janne

Janne — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 10:52:18 +0000

Lawrence, again, how much time or effort does it take to switch the system installation to English, alternatively even buy a new copy of the operating system. The 90k yen Ian is quoting can buy you a new OS with plenty to spare.

By: Ian Cheung

Ian Cheung — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 05:31:48 +0000

Janne,
Tokiwa is pretty good on prices for lenses. I checked them out on the 70-200F4 L and they are only a couple of thousand higher than online.

Umeda Photo in Umeda is also very good, they are between the Hilton and Junkudo. They’re open to trade-ins and I found them very friendly, they don’t speak much English though. I should put up a google map to their shop when I find the time.

Lawrence,
I really don’t have any experience with world models but having been to their site, and looked at their cheapest (Japanese model) Panasonic W5, it is a whopping 90,000 Yen more expensive than the cheapest online retailer. What is almost as strange is that their 特価 (special price) is only 820Yen cheaper than their regular price. (The reason I picked the W5 is that my wife is interested in buying one. )

However, I do agree with you that stating you’ll be paying cash upfront helps. And always be firm but polite. If you don’t think you’re getting the best price, just state so and walk away but do so in a pleasant manner.

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 05:00:47 +0000

J,
(Update to previous posting)
I guess you have not tried to buy a new Sony Alpha 100 in English. So your statement is incorrect as far as I am concern. In doing a lot of research for my purchase, found the net to be full of misinformation, or at the very least, outdated. The large stores would not even order the ‘world’ model for me or even tell me there was such a model (tho I knew it was available in English…but most sale people are not very knowledgeable). As far as the Yodobashi (if you can handle the noise level. and that is reason enough not to shop there.), they had the highest price of any store in Japan! Yet, a small shop ordered it, and gave me a double discount…net price was lowest, then he gave me another 5k discount without even asking…and I can be tough when it comes to prices. Next time your serious buyer and don’t want to driven insane by obnoxious noise…go to a guy like Mr. Yoshiyuki Kita (Masani Denki Co.) He speaks English and kept me informed every step of the way. Has a web site: http://www.masanidenki.com…tell him Lawrence sent you….maybe he’ll give me another discount count on my next purchase. I don’t nickel and dime merchants and I pay cash and tell them so up front. This always gets a better price. -L

By: Janne

Janne — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:09:59 +0000

Oh, best camera store I know in Osaka is in Denden town. It’s “Tokiwa Camera” just south of Nipponbashi station on the right side of sakaisuji street, just after the two-story cafe. They’ve always given very good service, have very good prices and have a nice selection of used equipment.

By: Janne

Janne — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:07:42 +0000

You don’t need “world models” for most stuff like cameras. They are all manufactured to be sold all over the world already; the only thing that typically differs is the default language in the UI, the default TV system in the case of video equipment, the language of the manual (which you can usually download in your preferred language), and the shape of the power plug. With “world models” you basically pay a hefty premium for someone to set the defaults to US/English and for not having to get a 100 yen plug adapter.

By: Ian Cheung

Ian Cheung — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 02:18:58 +0000

Yes, definitely. As I said in the post itself, I have other recommendations as to serious DSLR gear. Sorry I haven’t made the follow on post, will try to do so soon.

I don’t know about so called “world” models though, no-one I know thinks they are worth the extra premium.

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 23:23:19 +0000

Who can handle the loud noise in these places…seems so low class to me. Yodo’s price was the highest of all places I checked…and lacked any real effort at service for a 130,000 camera. I can’t handle these store…go to some smaller stores, get some good service, be able to order some smaller items..let alone getting
English (world) models….and no hassle finding someone who know something abou the product they are selling….

By: Ian Cheung

Ian Cheung — Thu, 24 May 2007 23:57:53 +0000

Thanks for the heads-up on Mouse Computers. I've passed a few times, their sff (small form factor) based on Shuttle cases computers interested me but I didn't look too closely at their prices.

There's one shop called Friends that is at the Namba end of DenDen Town that have cracking prices on second hand laptops.

By: Dr.A

Dr.A — Thu, 24 May 2007 04:41:06 +0000

i’ve found the best price for new ones in Denden (Mouse Computer Japan shop). 30k yen less than Dell for same specs.
For SH pc’s .. there is a fair amount of merchendise at fair prices