oh
but it looks like theres no online ordering
i have to do it by phone
thats too bothersome for me
Having a web site, but has to call them to make an order? That really defeats the purpose of being in the Internet, you know…
So, which is the lesser evil?
a) Having to make an international long distance phone call, which the possibility that they won’t accept your credit card for various reasons?, or
b) Being charged right away for your order, and without having the slightest idea of when it will be shipped?
I think they both are evil, but nothing compared to how evil I am 
wuuuhahhahahhahaha ← typical villain evil laugh
But assuming the “worst” for both situations, meaning that somehow you will lose some “money” and you don’t get your goods (meaning for a. you blew your telephone bill and for b. they charge you immediately and there are no follow-ups), from the customer’s point of view, if your credit card is charged, the credit card company will protect the customer first no matter what in case dispute happens. So I’d say b. is less evil in my opinion because if they charge your credit card it’s always tracable and the customer is always protected as priority (meaning lawsuits can be filed) if anything happens, and they (should) know it. In addition, I believe you have like 30 days from the charge date to reverse the credit card charges
but I am not a credit card expert myself so don’t count on what I said…^^
Let’s check if I got it right: You go to an on-line shop, browse the goods. When you find an item you like, you decide to add in to a cart. Huh? Where is the cart? You ask to yourself. You look for the FAQ, and it says you must call to some phone numbers. It is a minor nuisance if you are in the US, but assuming you are not in the US, you must make an international phone call. Wait for the CC approval and, then, wait for the items to arrive.
Is that the way you want to do business on-line? Come on, how much extra will it cost them to accept credit cards on-line? They even have a toll-free number! I could assume that’s the reason other on-line shops are trying to imitate sites like Amazon; there are no major fuss ordering from them (I like CD Japan’s site, too).
Kumiko-san, I could assume you are expressing yourself that way because you are in the US (how is San Diego, lately? ^_^). You could have taken from granted some things already (like anime/manga availability in Japan), but it does not apply to all of us, unfortunately…
The understanding I get from visiting the Splashpage website is that they are a regular, walk-in, browse and shop type store that happens to have a website. The website was never intended for online business, but rather as a means to let costumers know what is availible if they chose to stop by, so that people aren’t wasting a trip to the store for nothing. It is a very common practice.
For example, there is a local store (to me) that modifies Playstations to be region free. They aso rent games and anime, with a very limited volume for sale. Yet, they have a website. I doubt very much that they intend to do one day rentals online.
Another local anime store ships to over 40 different companies (including Japan), but their website doesn’t offer online purchases. At the moment they aren’t offering any thing I can’t get from them when I go to Fanime next weekend. In fact some of their products are only availible at Cons.
Also, having a website doesn’t necessarily mean they have a secure website. Online shopping may be convenient, but it is also dangerous.
[This message has been edited by Mischief (edited 03-25-2001).]
Before anything, I owe an apology to the board. I got carried away when I was writing it. I think I am back to my “normal” mood after beating my cousin… in KOF, that is…
Now, back to the topic, I still disagree with both, Mischief and Kumiko. When they mention they are also mail order company, and gives out the phone number/mail addresses, it is assumed that it is not only for local buyers (as “in town”). Being so, they should provide certain facilities for non-local buyers to purchase their products, which, besides the 800 phone number, is non existant.
BTW, Kumiko-san, have you noticed that what you wrote are almost the same reasons why Japanese companies are not interested in bringing games to the US? 
I do try to look for non “big name” anime on-line shops, but, unfortunately, I usually end up with the same problem of international shipping/credit card. Money order is an option (fortunately, I use US dollars, too), but it is extremely problematic as I have to go to the bank, buy it, send the mail (which carries a problem of it’s own down here), and wait… Really, unless you have experienced it…
[On an off-topic: I email Splash Page on the 22 asking about special orders, but so far, I haven’t received a reply. I will keep waiting. I think I will buy Kakyuusei’s book, through a friend of mine in Miami.]
I guess this is going a bit off-topic regarding the inital purpose of post, however…
Kumiko-san, you don’t have to write it three times!!!
OK, as I mentioned, I wrote them on (March) 22nd, but still no reply. I asked a friend of mine to do the order, so the only thing for me now, is to wait.
PS: Neither Pizza Hut nor Little Caesar. As for the former, it taste weird (there are some jokes about Pizza Hut), and there is no Little Caesar down here. (See? not always you can get what you want.)
[This message has been edited by fxho (edited 04-01-2001).]
Back to this topic… It seems Kakyuusei’s artbook is out of stock.
IIRC, the Kakyuusei Kanzen Guide J-list had was the one of the game, not the OVA or TV. A couple of weeks ago, I asked Peter if they could special order the anime guides, but unfortunately, right now, they are not taking those orders…
Kumiko-san, did you mentioned the magic word “internationally” on purpose? And, out of curiosity, what book/guide does Kumiko want?
I know the discussion of Audio cd purchases is further up but… Digital Discs Anime has has the OAV to graduation and well as many other OSTS. If you have ever been to an anime con just looking at the 7-10 tables full of cd OSTs can make you go dizzy. I have bought ALL the Wedding Peach cds and well as IDOL PROJECT cds from them. Just my thoughts.
I was asking around, and it turns out that Amazon Japan does ship outside Japan. I ordered both Kakyuusei anime guides. Total was around 7000 yen (around US $60.00). The shipping method was the “economic” one, which takes around 2 to 5 weeks to arrive. Cross-fingers…
BTW, the shop itself is quite similar to Amazon US, so even if you can’t read kana or kanji, it isn’t that difficult. (It does help having Japanese font installed, though)
[Kumiko, it was either those guides or Wedding Peach Box Set. Since I know more about Kakyuusei than Wedding Peach, the decision for me wasn’t that difficult. However, I promise I will get those DVDs… after I get those in my to buy list, that is…]
I will have to take a chance…
[This message has been edited by fxho (edited 04-07-2001).]