The Four Main Methods:
Below are listed the four most common stores/methods used for purchasing OFFICIAL magical girl goods.
If you are looking for fan made merchandise, click HERE.
If you are looking for fan made merchandise, click HERE.
Physical Stores & Conventions
Comic book, manga, anime, and even video game stores and conventions will often sell magical girl merchandise.
The advantage is being able to see it for yourself. It's much easier to identify fakes and determine the quality when you can examine it in person. Sometimes it's cheaper, as you do not need to pay shipping, import fees, or calculate exchange rates. It's also faster than waiting for shipping.
The disadvantages are plentiful. Not every town has a store or con to begin with, and not everyone can afford to travel. Plenty of conventions and stores sell very authentic looking fake goods. Many cons require buying a ticket to get in, and vendors will sometimes make convention items more expensive than in-store or online, so the cost can add up fast. Quite often, store and con costs will be higher due to rental/stall prices, and the cost of bringing the goods into the country.
The advantage is being able to see it for yourself. It's much easier to identify fakes and determine the quality when you can examine it in person. Sometimes it's cheaper, as you do not need to pay shipping, import fees, or calculate exchange rates. It's also faster than waiting for shipping.
The disadvantages are plentiful. Not every town has a store or con to begin with, and not everyone can afford to travel. Plenty of conventions and stores sell very authentic looking fake goods. Many cons require buying a ticket to get in, and vendors will sometimes make convention items more expensive than in-store or online, so the cost can add up fast. Quite often, store and con costs will be higher due to rental/stall prices, and the cost of bringing the goods into the country.
Proxy Shipping
Proxy shipping is when you pay a middleman - usually a company but sometimes an individual - to purchase goods in their country, ship it to their address, and then on to you. These are often the 'Japanese goods' stores you see on posting on Instagram, or advertised on Facebook.
The advantage to this method is that you can purchase literally anything, anywhere in the world, no matter where you are. This is often the only way to get hold of limited edition, region-locked, or vintage items that are only available in certain areas, times, or in limited numbers. Sometimes, local individuals may even find bargains that aren't available online.
The disadvantages are that it can be very expensive, requiring two lots of shipping as well as proxy fees and potentially double import fees; it requires putting a lot of trust in a stranger; and it can take a long time for goods to arrive.
The advantage to this method is that you can purchase literally anything, anywhere in the world, no matter where you are. This is often the only way to get hold of limited edition, region-locked, or vintage items that are only available in certain areas, times, or in limited numbers. Sometimes, local individuals may even find bargains that aren't available online.
The disadvantages are that it can be very expensive, requiring two lots of shipping as well as proxy fees and potentially double import fees; it requires putting a lot of trust in a stranger; and it can take a long time for goods to arrive.
Japanese Based Websites with International Shipping
Many Japanese stores ship worldwide. Some are physical stores that sell to customers in Japan, and others are online only. Some are based in Japan but only sell to customers in other countries.
The main advantages to this method are the lower cost, faster speed, genuine products, and pre-orders. Many Japanese sites are official brands or official re-sellers, meaning you are guaranteed to be buying an officially licensed item. Because there is no middle man, products arrive faster and often have cheaper shipping (depending on your location.) Pre-orders mean that you are able to purchase goods before they are released, so you don't risk missing out if they sell out. Often, Pre-orders and Official stores are cheaper than resale stores and values.
There are, however, many disadvantages. Many stores that offer global shipping sell only current or popular items, so if you are after something vintage or lesser-known it may be difficult to find. They also often sell out, and to avoid it they often limit the number of items that can be purchased per customer. It's also not uncommon for items to be 'Japan only', meaning no official store can sell them to overseas buyers.
The main advantages to this method are the lower cost, faster speed, genuine products, and pre-orders. Many Japanese sites are official brands or official re-sellers, meaning you are guaranteed to be buying an officially licensed item. Because there is no middle man, products arrive faster and often have cheaper shipping (depending on your location.) Pre-orders mean that you are able to purchase goods before they are released, so you don't risk missing out if they sell out. Often, Pre-orders and Official stores are cheaper than resale stores and values.
There are, however, many disadvantages. Many stores that offer global shipping sell only current or popular items, so if you are after something vintage or lesser-known it may be difficult to find. They also often sell out, and to avoid it they often limit the number of items that can be purchased per customer. It's also not uncommon for items to be 'Japan only', meaning no official store can sell them to overseas buyers.
Second Hand Marketplaces
From Ebay to Mandarake, Depop to Facebook, online marketplaces are abundant - but they aren't all equal. Nor are all sellers trustworthy.
The advantage to marketplaces is that you can often find older, limited edition, and used goods at cheaper prices than elsewhere. You may be able to avoid import fees and high shipping by buying locally. Often, local marketplaces allow Paypal, leading to better consumer coverage if something does go wrong.
There are may disadvantages. The big one is that it is impossible to know if you are buying something genuine or not - there are checklists and guides, but photos online can be faked. Another issue is cost, as although some things can be cheaper, bidding can often skyrocket and people quickly find themselves paying far more than what an item is worth. Then, there's a level of trust required, and not all sellers are honest, so you just never know what - if anything - you will get.
Marketplaces themselves are also not equal, each with their own policies, fees, and requirements. Always read Store, Shop, and Website policies before purchasing. Always use Goods and Services when making payments via Paypal, NEVER use Friends and Family.
The advantage to marketplaces is that you can often find older, limited edition, and used goods at cheaper prices than elsewhere. You may be able to avoid import fees and high shipping by buying locally. Often, local marketplaces allow Paypal, leading to better consumer coverage if something does go wrong.
There are may disadvantages. The big one is that it is impossible to know if you are buying something genuine or not - there are checklists and guides, but photos online can be faked. Another issue is cost, as although some things can be cheaper, bidding can often skyrocket and people quickly find themselves paying far more than what an item is worth. Then, there's a level of trust required, and not all sellers are honest, so you just never know what - if anything - you will get.
Marketplaces themselves are also not equal, each with their own policies, fees, and requirements. Always read Store, Shop, and Website policies before purchasing. Always use Goods and Services when making payments via Paypal, NEVER use Friends and Family.