From: fester@etorofu.island.COM ()
Subject: Re: Delivery of Merchandise (was Re: Japanese employees and consumers)
Originator: fester@etorofu
Organization: Island Graphics, Marin County, California
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 16:59:29 GMT

In article <Bxxz4w.7zr@ncifcrf.gov> masuda@fcs280b.ncifcrf.gov (Michiaki Masuda) writes:
>In article <1992Nov17.184352.4198@island.COM> fester@island.COM (Mike Fester) writes:
>>I'd have to agree with Mr Harckom on this. At least, the various department 
>>stores in Kichijouji were like this. And, for a sofa-bed I ordered, there was
>>a one-week wait for delivery (even though the item was in stock). Now, those
>>operations that deal in USED appliances, etc, are more flexible, at least in 
>>my experience.
>
>   Some comments from a Japanese point of view.

Couple quick follow-ups:


>[1] The "flexibility" of the delivery schedule is often an unavoidable
>    result of horrible traffic conditions especially in Tokyo area.
>    If some company gives an exact time for a delivery, I'd wonder
>    if the company is really trustworthy.

My use of the word "flexible" and Mr Harckom's were different (as I see now
upon re-reading) I meant that dealers in used appliances were more 
flexible about letting you pick a delivery time. The traffic conditions were
not applicable in my case, as I ordered from a local depaato (at least, 
it was only aobut 2 km from my apartment). And if a company gave me an exact 
time (and some in the US have, though it is assuredly the exception, and NOT
the rule), I'd be delighted. And then if they actually KEPT that delvery 
promise, I'd be stunned.

>[2] In some cases, you can include the delivery (and installation when
>    necessary) a part of negotiation. For example, you could say,
>    "If you can deliver it Saturday morning, I might consider buying
>    it." At least, it worked before at Akihabara for home appliances.

For this, you usually have to give them a certain lead time. For my case, the
EARLIEST I could have had it was a week later. As it was the best, cheap item
of its kind, and I couldn't carry it (a sofa-bed), I had no choice in delivery.

>[3] If you really expect on-time delivery, deal with a local (and
>    small) retailer. This way, you can avoid the flexibility due to
>    the bad traffic. The reason why I added "small" is that
>    some large retailers arrange delivery for several customers by
>    one vehicle, which causes "flexibility". You can expect that a small
>    retailer delivers only for you. (I should mention that you may not 
>    be able to expect the best deal in terms of price.)

Probably pertinant to my comment on used appliance/furniture dealers.

>[4] Pick up a right season. In December, all the department stores are
>    gone crazy delivering "oseibo" (end-of-year gift). You might have to
>    wait for your furniture even for two weeks. Summer, a season for 
>    "ochuu-gen" (summer gift), would be another time that you might
>    want to avoid.

This was in May. No special sales, they were just busy.

>   I don't know what made the three netters have different experiences,
>but there may be something that is related to one of the above.

In any event, Mr Masuda's points confirm (at least IMO) that the normal way
of this sort of business in Japan is really not much different than that in the
US. 

Mike

-- 
Disclaimer - I'm only doing what the little voices tell me to do. 
Newsgroups: soc.culture.japan