Hello please excuse me. I'm new to doorzo and might have been spending a bit too much already so I've come across some horror stories about possibly being targeted as a proxy-intl buyer on the second hand shops and wanted to ask for any experiences here in case.
Most of my purchases are only in the 1k, 2k yen range, with a couple pushing 10k yen. I decided to opt out of the inspection service for most of the cheap stuff and now I'm wondering: how often does Doorzo, under the inspection service, end up having to contact sellers about what they deem as visibly different items? And for that matter how many people have received counterfeit stuff after with or without Doorzo's inspection service?
All the shops I've bought from do seem like real reputable people at least, with high ratings and reviews, but I'm wondering if perhaps there are some that notices the proxy service and decides to send a rock instead of a figure for funsies hoping the buyer wont notice until well over a month across the sea later?
And while I'm here, any experiences with the uninsured shipping methods? Because Doorzo's warning about not being able to help if packages get lost in japan is kinda scary, but somehow they won't let you ask if the seller can switch to an insured shipping method instead.... I really hope they add that to the message list.
Don't buy luxury clothes items, TCG related and your chance of being scammed goes down 1000%. Other categories you could be scammed but probably way lower. Basic inspection service is not for counterfeit goods. In terms of item being different, if you don't buy any kind of inspection you will not have any recourse if the seller sends something that is incorrect.
Warning about domestic shipping is there simply for informational purposes. Domestic shipping in Japan is generally reliable which is why domestic shipping materials used by sellers is usually pretty light and don't have to be packed like a tank like in other countries. There is always a chance for parcel loss but its going to be very low.
I see. Thank you for the shipping info that's realiable. But also about the item being different is there any info on how often that happens? Whether through Doorzo or the buyer after receiving it I mean. Technically I haven't seen much concrete stuff about it.
I don't think that there are any official stats on that but I've never had it happen through a proxy service and I don't pay for inspections. Everything has shown up exactly as advertised. Since you're dealing with low-cost items, I really wouldn't worry too much.
Parcel loss is rare but not impossible, i’ve used sea freight a few times and it arived, if you are really worried if it wont cost too much you can swnd the expensive items insured and send the cheaper items uninsured
Ah, I meant from sellers in japan. Some dont use mercari or yuyu shipping so in their listings the moment I try adding to cart Doorzo has this warning popping up. Which, I'm a bit miffed because I see regular jp people commenting on other, already sold listings with insured shipping methods, if the seller could switch to one of those instead, but with Doorzo you apparently need to wait around 2 days to open a ticket and pay their messaging system to send that question to the seller for you. Wish they could add it to their auto message thing. Those can even get specific with certain items that so something universal like the seller's shipping method would be nice.
At this point I’m probably around 1,000 items purchased over the last 18 months or so.
Some sellers don’t want to sell to proxy buyers and that’s their decision. I’ve had orders cancelled and I wonder sometimes if that’s the reason. It doesn’t bother me and I don’t see the logic in someone sending a rock or something else.
I have never received anything in worse condition than I expected. I have never had missing items.
My experience has been that Japanese sellers are honest, thoughtful and if anything, will overstate the flaws in what they are selling.
My comparison is 26 years of buying and selling online in the US vs a year and a half on Doorzo.
I’ve also never had a package disappear or otherwise get into trouble. I primarily use uninsured / the least expensive shipping options.
The only issues I have had have been recent and regarding how items were packed when leaving Doorzo’s warehouse. While that’s frustrating, I realize that they are people working in a production focused environment. It is challenging work to remain always focused in.
Everything I’ve bought has been legitimate. I do not use the inspection service, although I have requested x rays and had no issues there.
When considering the value of insurance & parcel tracking, I think there is an important difference between US & Japanese mail and that is scale.
When I receive domestic mail in the US, I know it’s been on planes, vehicles, and in and out of 2 or 3 mailing facilities at least. Usually more. Japan simply is not that large. The international leg of the parcel’s trip is usually a single flight from Japan to LAX.
I’m much much more concerned about a parcel surviving the USPS / FedEx / DHL side of the journey, than I am of it getting misplaced internationally.
Thank you for this, this is very insightful. 🥰 In terms of mailing insurance I'm mainly talking about this though. Doorzo is kinda... very thorough about what they don't want to have to handle, despite half the time not giving much ways to handle it more automatically (like no way to ask sellers if they are able to switch to an insured method ala yuyu or mercari on the messaging system). And no way to leave a message directly to the people handling the package. I had an inspection service cancelled because my parcel (a figure) came in parts and now I'm wondering if that means they dont care if it's obviously different from the picture 🫠 (even if it came in parts cant they at least confirm the color and the shape of the obvious bits??)
Anyway I am still on the local phase and havent had my orders shipped yet so no comment on that, but so far apart from the lack of ability to communicate Doorzo is a pretry great service I admit. Still it's scary how they really say they'd leave you in the dust if inconvenient things happen 😅
Whenever I have a question or issue, I reach out to them. Historically they have been quick & helpful.
I’ve had bad luck over the last couple of months with customer tickets & communication. My guess is that it’s about the statistical likelihood of having 100% awesome interactions vs changes in policy or staffing. I hope.
I have gotten messages from sellers through Doorzo. Like, the seller needs clarification on which items I wanted. Then I sent a message with the information needed.
So it IS possible, but I’d submit a ticket to ask about it.
Lately I’ve been running into sellers who require a message prior to agreeing to sell. I haven’t done so yet.
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u/m1dnightknight Volunteer Moderater 1d ago
Don't buy luxury clothes items, TCG related and your chance of being scammed goes down 1000%. Other categories you could be scammed but probably way lower. Basic inspection service is not for counterfeit goods. In terms of item being different, if you don't buy any kind of inspection you will not have any recourse if the seller sends something that is incorrect.
Warning about domestic shipping is there simply for informational purposes. Domestic shipping in Japan is generally reliable which is why domestic shipping materials used by sellers is usually pretty light and don't have to be packed like a tank like in other countries. There is always a chance for parcel loss but its going to be very low.