I’m planning to take a 2-week trip to Japan in the spring. I lived there for a year, so I’m familiar with the what’s available. However, after reading a recent “extra money” thread, I got to thinking: what could I buy over there that would sell reasonably well on ebay when I get back?
Of course I’d have to get a good price on it over there in order to make a profit, but I’m just looking for some suggestions of what kind of stuff sells reasonably reliably on ebay.
Some ideas I had:
Japanese swords (katana)
Gaming stuff
I guess it would have to be stuff that is only available over there.
Anime DVDs, especially ones that don’t get released in America
Japanese toys, particularly ones that don’t get released in America
Do some online research before you go to see what fans are clamoring for. Certain toy retailers like Big Bad Toy Store ( http://www.bigbadtoystore.com , no relation to me, I swear!) specialize in importing the latest Japanese action figures and toys for American collectors. Transformers are big, especially the Masterpiece Optimus Prime made by Takara. I don’t know if you know anything about Transformers, but the thing sells for about $100 U.S., and it is a thing of beauty to any kid who grew up in the 1980s.
You’d probably do better by going down to the local Salvation Army store and buying up all the old, crappy-looking Levi jeans to sell in Japan. Last I heard, they were paying top dollar.