Canadian Market Advice for a Japanese Exporter

[JZ]

If you are doing this out of passion for Skylines, that will go very far. Too many fly by night import/exporters in see parts. The long term players are still here due to excellent service, customer rapport and a first hand knowledge of the cars.

[GTR-Garage]

It is definitely a project of passion, which I have high hopes for. Since everyone is being so helpful I could use some advice as to what parts are most desired. Are there any factory parts that are particularly hard or over-expensive? In terms of the RB25 engine, is it common or are most enthusiast building GTRs or R32 Type Ms?

[Oakville]

+1 for a NA version of UpGarage, that would rock. One thing I like too would be a translated and brokerage service for Yahoo.jp auctions.

I would give this 10 likes if it were possible.

The idea of UpGarage is so heavenly compared to what we experience here...any of the shops that carry used parts tend to be very limited in pieces, usually consisting of incredibly expensive parts (not in terms of high-priced, just big ticket items). If I could go down to a store (or an e-shop) and have a selection of moderately priced average items (strut tower braces, piping kits, steering wheels, WHEEEEEEELS, just like upgarage) I would never leave. Its gotten to the point that I have actually started planning a school exchange trip to Japan solely around the idea of visiting a few UpGarages (among other things..)

[Oakville]

It is definitely a project of passion, which I have high hopes for. Since everyone is being so helpful I could use some advice as to what parts are most desired. Are there any factory parts that are particularly hard or over-expensive? In terms of the RB25 engine, is it common or are most enthusiast building GTRs or R32 Type Ms?

Interior pieces are always wanted here (especially dashes, vents, gear shift surrounds), as well as oem body panels (particularly GTR pieces for people converting GTSTs). RB25s are popular for people in GTSts, if they were cheaper. A lot of people want to build them but for the money they'd have to shell out for a Stock RB25, they could probably get their RB20 up there in power.

[GTR-Garage]

Thanks for the comments Oakville. Your insight on the RB25 is interesting. It seems like providing a good selection of RB20 parts in addition to the RB26 with not as much emphasis on the RB25 may be the road to take.

In terms of offering a Yahoo Auction service that would be too complex to manage. I have no problem handling orders and sourcing parts, but trying to keep track of dozens of auctions and last minute bids seems like a recipe for disaster.

How does everyone feel about shipping via Sea Freight? Transit times range from 2-3 months, but the cost is significantly cheaper. This would only apply to larger items of course. Would a wait of that duration deter you from buying a part even if it were at a reasonable price?

[Woodly]

...with not as much emphasis on the RB25 may be the road to take.

unhappy face

[cooke24]

2-3 months is much too long for parts. considering cars get here in 2 weeks.....

there are alot of rb25's here to cater too aswell i wouldnt single out those guys

[Dragon Humper]

For stuff like wheels, exhaust or anything else sizeable, the cost of shipping is a HUGE factor. For me, time is not a huge issue. There was a set of Rays wheels and track rubber in an Autobacs second store for $400, I could cry, the stuff was mint but shipping would have killed it.



Jon.

[Oakville]

Thanks for the comments Oakville. Your insight on the RB25 is interesting. It seems like providing a good selection of RB20 parts in addition to the RB26 with not as much emphasis on the RB25 may be the road to take.

In terms of offering a Yahoo Auction service that would be too complex to manage. I have no problem handling orders and sourcing parts, but trying to keep track of dozens of auctions and last minute bids seems like a recipe for disaster.

How does everyone feel about shipping via Sea Freight? Transit times range from 2-3 months, but the cost is significantly cheaper. This would only apply to larger items of course. Would a wait of that duration deter you from buying a part even if it were at a reasonable price?

I think the reason people DONT go RB25 is because parts arent found too easily, plus its expensive. If you could provide a source of OEM 25 parts that made it easy/cheap to get them, you'd have the monopoly on well-priced RB25 stuff...

[GTR-Garage]

2-3 months is much too long for parts. considering cars get here in 2 weeks.....

there are alot of rb25's here to cater too aswell i wouldnt single out those guys

Yes, it can be a long wait. However, it is generally 1/2 the cost of economy air (2 weeks) and 1/3 the cost of express air (3-4 days). If I part was not immediately needed (wheels for example) it may be worth the savings to wait.

[dah_hunter]

Container ships leaving every couple weeks from japan.. so why would it take 2 -3 months.. that doesnt really make sence..

When i get a car from japan i get it put in a container and it gets over here in less then a month from time of purchase.(Normaly)

Filling a container full of parts and shipping it over here shouldnt take that long, the longest part of that process would be the filling of the container.

[GTR-Garage]

Container ships leaving every couple weeks from japan.. so why would it take 2 -3 months.. that doesnt really make sence..

When i get a car from japan i get it put in a container and it gets over here in less then a month from time of purchase.(Normaly)

Filling a container full of parts and shipping it over here shouldnt take that long, the longest part of that process would be the filling of the container.

You misunderstand. I am referring to shipping individual parts to individuals via Japan Post. There are three methods of shipping, EMS (Express Air), SAL (Economy Air), and Surface (Sea Freight). I have the facilities to load containers in Japan, but no where to send them to be distributed in Canada or the UK.

[dah_hunter]

Ok that makes more sence..

[GTR-Garage]

Are Defi, Trust, and A'PEXi meters a sought after item or are Canadian enthusiast more likely to purchase a domestic equivalent like Autometer?

[Oakville]

Most will go for Japanese meters, as a lot of us (including me) are trying to fill the cars with period pieces. If I can find early 90s Nismo or HKS gauges, id take those over anything new (like Defi). That goes for most parts actually.