is there a thread discussing the reliable JDM sources?

[ABU is overpriced]

In general, Japanese folks don't try to scam people. I have purchased a lot of used stuff from there, and its always as described.

[MiceNReets]

3 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Just had my first experience yesterday.

 

Purchased a reel from Japan Lure Shop.

 

Hopefully it's not delayed as they are going on vacation it looks:

 

 (JLS, summer vacation: August 10th to August 15th

 

They’re a day ahead of our side of the world but I’d you get caught in the holiday, it’s just how the cookie crumbles.   I’ve had that happen before and yeah waiting sucks but once shipped out you’ll have it in your hands in under 48hrs.   JLS is pretty fast at shipping out orders or at least that’s been my experience.  Congrats on your first order, it’s addictive when you see how fast and easy it is

[Leotis]

On 9/1/2023 at 11:10 PM, torm said:

Anyone ever tried buying from Kkjapanlure? They seem legit but I can't seem to find much info on them.

I'm necroposting I know, since this is an ooollllld post, but I thought I'd answer this one anyway since it might be helpful for someone else later. I've placed several orders with kkjapanlure and they've always been excellent. Legit, quality stuff and shipping is usually within 24 hrs of ordering. I have absolutely no complaints.

 

One I DO have a complaint about is 7 Palms, but it's only about their website software. I never even made it to the ordering process. I was trying to place a sizeable order with them and every time I took about a 15 minute break from actively using the shopping cart their website would log me out and dump my entire cart. That happened THREE times in a row and it ticked me off so bad that I refuse to go back. I don't care...even if they had a sale on the most top-tier JDM stuff for pennies on the dollar....I STILL wouldn't go back!

Not until they fix that garbage website, anyway...

 

[torm]

2 hours ago, Leotis said:

I'm necroposting I know, since this is an ooollllld post, but I thought I'd answer this one anyway since it might be helpful for someone else later. I've placed several orders with kkjapanlure and they've always been excellent. Legit, quality stuff and shipping is usually within 24 hrs of ordering. I have absolutely no complaints.

 

One I DO have a complaint about is 7 Palms, but it's only about their website software. I never even made it to the ordering process. I was trying to place a sizeable order with them and every time I took about a 15 minute break from actively using the shopping cart their website would log me out and dump my entire cart. That happened THREE times in a row and it ticked me off so bad that I refuse to go back. I don't care...even if they had a sale on the most top-tier JDM stuff for pennies on the dollar....I STILL wouldn't go back!

Not until they fix that garbage website, anyway...

 

Hey I love an late answer than never getting one so thanks for your input. Will be looking to check them out in the future now. That is unfortunate about the 7 Palms website though.

[woolleyfooley]

On 8/17/2023 at 12:32 PM, Tennessee Boy said:

I’ve been very pleased with Japan Lure Shop and Japan Tackle.

Japan Tackle is great. Jun who runs it is very helpful and quick to respond to questions. His English is also very good.

 

I also like the fact that Japan Tackle gives a warranty with their reels and will also facilitate the factory warranty for you. 

[WaskaCrank12]

I have followed along with this thread as I had the same questions - and over the last few months I have ordered from several of the JDM/Japan based shops - and as long as the exchange rate is favorable I will continue to look at these shops to find items that are not offered in the US - overall I have had positive experiences with:

 

Ichiban Tackle (ordered tackle only, they offer new and "used" tackle, of the few "used" lures I purchased all are in mint condition, shipping cut into the overall savings yet they shipped quickly and arrived in good shape)

Japan Lure Shop (ordered a spinning reel, price was right, shipping was fast, and they provided a free lure)

Asian Portal (ordered a JDM rod and three lures, price was good, shipping cut in to overall savings yet I got a rod and lures that are not available in the US, the rod/lures were packaged very well and came in mint condition)

7 Palms (ordered tackle only, the website is a bit clunky yet unlike the post above I had a positive purchase experience, they offer a good selection of lures not found on other sites, slower shipping but everything came well packaged)

 

I hear great things about Digitaka yet many of the items I have been looking for are, seemingly, always out of stock - and I have been checking regularly - their prices are good, just a challenge to find items in stock. 

[MonsterZero]

I recently ordered from Digitaka and had a very positive experience. Domestically, there are two shops that have popped up selling a good amount of JDM stuff. Tackle Bros up in Canada, and The Hook Up Tackle in Arizona. Both have a LOT of very cool stuff, and active YouTube channels with weekly updates on new stuff.

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, MonsterZero said:

I recently ordered from Digitaka and had a very positive experience.

Digitaka is where I get all my JDM needs met...

[Darth-Baiter]

Digitaka is always sold out on Zillions.  just saying.

[10,000 lakes Bassin]

No one has had any issues with Jpangler? I'm double checking because it seems like I can get a better deal then Digitaka

[bulldog1935]

@10,000 lakes Bassin

I bought my Smith telescope from JP Angler.  

no, there are no Japan-based frauds, it goes against their culture.  

Bad service would lose face.  

[F14A-B]

1 minute ago, bulldog1935 said:

@10,000 lakes Bassin

I bought my Smith telescope from JP Angler.  

no, there are no Japan-based frauds, it goes against their culture.  

Bad service would lose face.  

Very true in my experience. I’ve purchased 3 used reels described as used, mint and they looked better than mint. All from Japanese vendors. Wish American businesses took such pride. 

[MonsterZero]

7 hours ago, F14A-B said:

Very true in my experience. I’ve purchased 3 used reels described as used, mint and they looked better than mint. All from Japanese vendors. Wish American businesses took such pride. 

There is a word in Japanese that I cannot recall at the moment, but it describes their business/manufacturing philosophy. Basically, it boils down to: make something that works and make it work well. Everything else is secondary at best. Contrasted to the American philosophy of corporate profits > everything, well...it does not look great on us. There is a reason Asian vehicles tend to last so much longer than domestic ones here.

[MediumMouthBass]

7 hours ago, MonsterZero said:

Contrasted to the American philosophy of corporate profits > everything, well...it does not look great on us. There is a reason Asian vehicles tend to last so much longer than domestic ones here.

The Japanese are very big on respect and honor, even the criminals value that severely. We might not be like they are in that respect, but we still take alot of pride in our work, and try our best for the most part. The American philosophy of corporate profits isnt the reason our cars dont last anymore (although it certainly plays a part)

 

Ive spent alot of time in and out, and somewhere halfway between in the auto industry the last few years, having to spend lots of time researching and learning about different brands, models, etc... Countless hours talking to salesmen, store mangers, general managers, techs. And then thousands of hours on forums, groups, youtube, anything you can think of thats car related.

 

The biggest reason our vehicles are junk now is because of the EPA.

The EPA was given full control and they took it, our vehicles and appliances (because they ruined them too) are now complete piles of junk from their rules, regulations, and mandates. From forcing auto makers to keep reducing engine sizes, to going to horrible CVT transmissions, we are sacrificing any and all quality to save 1 MPG. Yes thats right, they will make a dumpster fire so the window sticker will say it gets 1 extra MPG. How does making sure each car ends up in a land fill within 3-6 years save the planet? Isnt that just polluting it more?

 

Asian vehicles here arent any better, they are on the same track. If Hyundai builds 100 cars, 60 people love theirs and say its the best they have had, the other 40 will hate it and say its the worst car theyve owned. Stay far away from their dual cluth transmissions. Toyota on behalf of the EPA came out with new engines for the Tundra, Tacoma, and 4 Runner. The Tundras new engine is a nightmare, even though they claimed to fix the engines on the 24 model, guys are still having theirs blow under 10k. The updated Tacoma and 4 Runner are too new on the scene to get a good picture of it yet, but theres many who refuse to switch from their trusted 6 to a new unproven 4 cylinder that cant get out of its way. I own a turbo 4 cylinder, i love it, i do, but it has no place on anything other than a smaller car or hatchback. Toyota is also not doing good with their new reputation either. A few of their Corolla GR's (GR means Gazoo Racing, their performance division) have had some interesting stuff happen to them recently (like catching on fire). And it came out they track your speed at all times, if at any time you go over 80 or 85mph they void your warranty. The best part? With a GR purchase Toyota gives you a ticket or whatever to go to a free tack day, where you are pretty much guaranteed to go over 85mph. You can imagine the groups big into performance hatches arent too happy with them. Then on to Honda, (once again on Behalf of the EPA) switched their transmissions to a CVT, their numbers keep going down on reliability ratings. Problems left and right, lots of hate they are getting on the groups and forums in the car community. Nissan had the only remaining reliable old school V8 truck left on the market, they had no competition now that Ford, Chevy, and Dodge committed suicide the last few years with poor quality, constant recalls and law suits, pushing smaller engines, junk transmissions, filling every truck they made with glitchy tech no one asked for or wanted, and then making them so unaffordable to where they alienated most of their potential buyers. The Titan wasnt a truck, it was the truck. They just got rid of that..... Atleast Lexus is still is doing great, and Mazda is doing even better. After ditching Nissans CVT transmissions and starting to build their own automatics they came back like a phoenix rising through the ashes. Hearing many good things about them and only them now.