2018 - Are Exporters in Japan any more honest or better than before?

[jdmvip]

I just thought I'd post this after talking to a lot of Exporters lately. I found most of them right away were dishonest or deceptive even though I openly explained I run this site and have been familiar with the auctions.

Another trend I've noticed is that almost all companies who employ foreigners tend to be more rude and more likely to scam you. There are also lots of big companies in Japan who 100% outsource their customer service to the Philippines, Pakistan, India etc... even though you call a Japanese number and they call you from one, often these guys are just people trying to make a commission at any cost.

One funny example is a for now (unnamed company-edit SBT Japan since someone asked) tried to sell me a car with the wrong engine and when confronted they just ignored the complaint and kept trying to sell me any crap they could in stock. The same company also gave me 3 different price quotes for fees between a phone call and e-mail.

Another trend is that many companies don't post their fees and don't like to answer questions about it but will push you to purchase or make a deposit.

Make no doubt about it, but these recent experiences reminds me that the car industry in Japan will always be quite dirty and that even seasoned members should be extra cautious especially with USS sold prices being inaccessible to us now (we have probably returned to the old days of scams where normal auction cars are randomly marked up even without negotiation). It's why I started this site in the first place (IBC Japan and there are many like them and worse than them today).

[Drareg]

That's why I'm here now - to hopefully not be one of the scammed consumers. And that starts with knowing as much as possible about this industry. And if I find it too risky, it's not like there aren't thousands of cars for sale at any given time. I try to see who is honest and forthright, although one can never know the source of rave reviews. I'm rather cynical that way.
So far, thanks for exposing Pacific Auto Exporters. They(he) were on my consideration list until I came across your lawsuit and judgment against him. So, now not having access to 'sold' prices now, have made your lawsuit impossible to pursue?
I'm in no hurry to buy a car, and will be doing so as a car to have when I go back to Canada for months at a time. I did look at a few cars at Velocity Cars in Burnaby, BC, and this was the start of my search for a JDM car. The appeal of low mileage, and overall lack of corrosion is my main appeal for a JDM car. Also, some are just very unique, and fun cars to drive/own. I ended up buying a local E320 instead, but have since sold that, and starting my search again.

[jdmvip]

That's why I'm here now - to hopefully not be one of the scammed consumers. And that starts with knowing as much as possible about this industry. And if I find it too risky, it's not like there aren't thousands of cars for sale at any given time. I try to see who is honest and forthright, although one can never know the source of rave reviews. I'm rather cynical that way.
So far, thanks for exposing Pacific Auto Exporters. They(he) were on my consideration list until I came across your lawsuit and judgment against him. So, now not having access to 'sold' prices now, have made your lawsuit impossible to pursue?
I'm in no hurry to buy a car, and will be doing so as a car to have when I go back to Canada for months at a time. I did look at a few cars at Velocity Cars in Burnaby, BC, and this was the start of my search for a JDM car. The appeal of low mileage, and overall lack of corrosion is my main appeal for a JDM car. Also, some are just very unique, and fun cars to drive/own. I ended up buying a local E320 instead, but have since sold that, and starting my search again.

Hey Drareg sorry I missed this! You've come to the right place my friend and you're 100% correct that it is about knowledge and knowing as much as possible. I'm the same about rave reviews and have found sometimes if you actually ask someone who posted a rave review they may even list a slew of issues with their experience that they didn't post publicly.

The issue with lawsuits like the ones I've been through where I already have one judgment and am pursuing defamation against Derek, his company and other friends he used is that that's when you realize what you're up against. The Aristo I bought through him was a negotiated sale so those have always been impossible for the buyer to know the true selling priced (obviously anyone participating in that scam should have no reason to fear or believe generally that us the buyer could ever know or prove otherwise). I have a judgment but if someone keeps running or is out of the country and doesn't plan to return and wants to keep hiding there is not much you can do. As far as repair, legal fees and damages those guys caused it has cost me many times more than the purchase price of the vehicle already but live and learn (the hard way sometimes!). With the sale price I never did question it because of a good reputation (and he had no reason to believe I could ever find the price was wrong since almost no one would remotely have access to the help I did at the time). Of course there are MANY dishonest people and companies in Japan whether locals or Expats from Canada/elsewhere that we have exposed here and unfortunately two of them were former Sponsors (once we find this kind of scam we don't give in to pressure they are removed as a Sponsor as soon we know).

You can definitely find high quality, low mileage and corrosion free vehicles in Japan but do note there are a lot with corrosion especially in North Japan and there are also some cars that have hidden rust (be very wary of cars which have freshly sprayed black underbody coating).

If you need help we're all glad to give advice. We also source cars for our members here now too based on my years of experience and learning almost everything from friends in Japan. If you want to find a great car we're here along with other Sponsors who I hear good things about regularly (eg. I just read praise from a long-time member jjm who got a Forester from JDM Connection).

[jdmvip]

I try to see who is honest and forthright, although one can never know the source of rave reviews. I'm rather cynical that way.
So far, thanks for exposing Pacific Auto Exporters.

Oops just came across one of those right now from Auction House Japan: https://forums.jdmvip.com/threads/77...with-your-team!

There are also more sophisticated ones I have seen where they use real people and customers and encourage them to post (fake) reviews or even pay them or offer them incentives to do so as well.

[jdmvip]

Just a quick bump after someone asked about the unnamed company: https://forums.jdmvip.com/threads/87...6904#post96904

[fuzzy]

From your experience, who is the best priced and most trust worthy to deal with?

I'm aware Mark at Braveauto is very well known however, that is the only company I'm familiar with. Any others you may suggest?

[jdmvip]

Good question that is hard to answer after 11 years of JDM industry experience . I am very hesitant to recommend anyone because things change even if an Exporter was once good.
I will make a new guide soon for choosing a good Exporter. I will say not to judge it on price as fees are quite similar overall with most Exporters.


I would say avoid most foreigners in Japan as many are scammers (and is probably why foreigners have a bad rep in Japan)