msjanie wrote:
Hi
I have not heard from you in a while and was wondering how Sakura
and the Beanie market was doing in Japan?
There have been many reports that the Japanese people are really
starting to trade Sakura a lot but are unfamiliar with US trade
practices.
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Ms. Janie
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Ms. Janie,
I'm sorry. I haven't been in any lines since the last time I wrote....that
is until this weekend. I was greatly disheartened by people's
behavior and since I've usually got my children with me, I don't
feel the need to put them through that for a $6 bear. I really
wish some would get a grip on themselves when it comes to beanies.
I did get a couple more yesterday and today and am sending one home to Mom and my daughter finally gets to keep hers. This is it for me though. I'm pretty sure anyway. I've heard the rumors on the Cyberboard about Sakura retiring and then being released in a different color (blue). There's another one about her being released with the flag instead of cherry blossom. I haven't heard of any of these here. These rumors sure didn't come from anyone in Okinawa. I haven't been back to any of the big retailers though. The stores are hugely practicing only giving out so many to American customers and saving the rest for Japanese customers. Or they won't sell to one person but turn around and sell one to someone else less than 10 minutes later.
Sakura is HARD to get now. I still haven't seen any Japanese standing in lines though. The Americans sleep overnight at the well-known places so there's little chance of getting one at those. You really have to check all the back roads and little shops to find a shop and they usually only give out small numbers (5 is normal) on any given day. ETWS here has incorporated bundling. They've stuck Millennium in the Clubby II kits and raised the prices. It's the only way to get Millennium from them now. They also require you to purchase 5 other beanies to get a Sakura. I know this isn't the first we've heard of it but several other collectors and myself refuse to do be swindled into this game. Plenty of others are though because their shelves are emptying. On top of bundling, you have show proof that you're 21 years old to get Sakura. I've already emailed Ty's namenames about this practice and still haven't heard anything back. Some stores also hide the bears behind the counter and only give them out to certain customers.
The best news of all.....BEANIE
KIDS ARE HERE!!!! I saw them for the first time yesterday. My
hands shook and I started feeling dizzy. Yep, I'm addicted now:)
I didn't waste any time grabbing up the last Ginger and Angel.
Then went back for Tumbles, Cutie, Chipper, Boomer, and Rascal.
I haven't seen Precious or Curly yet though. FYI, they are the
second version with elastic panties.
Still haven't seen any new beanies though. Even the BX is still
getting shipped last years beanies. Sheets, Slowpoke, and Schweetheart
were back on the shelf last week.
I know there's a lot of
Japanese secondaries (as well as Americans) so any of the "good"
beanies are difficult to get. I can't say about the Japanese collectors
that are trading but I do know there's been questions about how
to know you're getting an authentic Sakura without the language
barrier. The best suggestion I can give to anyone about that is
to look for an APO address. US military stationed in Japan have
APO AP in the state, city location of their address. But many
of the Japanese do speak fair English so they shouldn't let that
deter them so much either. The Japan Ty reps and stores are still
saying that Sakura is retiring at the end of the cherry blossom
season. This is just rumor until it happens but it's possible.
We'll know for sure in a couple of weeks. That's it for Japan
news so far. Sorry I've been away from the scene for so long but
I think you can see why. My Mom also came for a visit and I wasn't
about to spend our time together waiting in beanie lines:) Have
a great day!
Tanya