Any of the websites listed in the beginning are fine.

Haven't used the online service buyers so I can't comment on them except to say that the fees they charge can be quite expensive!!

My experiences:

1. CDJapan has relatively affordable prices but their shipping (Fedex Intl) is damn expensive but you get the order ~3-5 bus. days! The price of Fedex Intl is ~$3-5 USD less than EMS Intl and it arrives ~2-5 days sooner!

2. HMV.co.jp has slightly more affordable prices than CDJapan and their shipping charges are LESS than CDJapans but still expensive; the orders are sent via EMS Intl which you'll receive ~3-5 days.

- Both CDJapan and HMV JP offers special "bonuses" like pins or photocards with certain artists' merchandise like CDs or CD+DVDs. Photocards are "store-specific" so I started to split my orders between the 2 companies so I can get their distinctive "bonus" items from each .cool.

3. PlayAsia and YesAsia are both located in HK:

- PlayAsia costs less than YesAsia and their shipping rates are much more affordable than YesAsia's rates. Sometimes, free shipping is offered if a certain price level is met but it's shipped using their SLOWEST delivery option so it takes ~3-5 weeks to arrive. It's better to just PAY for the postage to save the delivery time!
- Company doesn't really offer the "bonus" items with certain artists' CD/DVDs.

- YesAsia offers some decent items but their markup is RIDICULOUS!!
For example, if CDJapan/HMV JP sells a CD for $15USD, YesAsia sells for $19!! Be careful!
- But if you buy $40USD or more, you get Free shipping! BUT....again... the Free shipping is their SLOWEST delivery option so it takes ~3-5 weeks to arrive. It's better to just PAY for the postage to save the delivery time!
- I stopped buying from them unless I really have to!
- Company doesn't really offer the "bonus" items with certain artists' CD/DVDs.

4. Amazon JP is a great place to shop for "pre-owned" (read: used) items like "hard to find limited edition CD+DVDs".

- Some issues that you need be concerned with:

1) It's in Japanese (English translation software does NOT work (properly)!)

2) Many sellers do NOT SELL outside of Japan

3) If you do find a seller that sells Internationally, the shipping costs are expensive even if the items are shipped via Japan Media Post which is their SLOWEST delivery option as there's NO other shipping method offered by said sellers .fustrated.

Finally...

Generally, DVDs in Japan/Asia are in Region 2 while the USA is Region 1.
North America stand-alone DVD players can play Region 1 or 0 (region free).
The reason being.... Copyright Infringement tech is used in the DVDs.

Heaven forbid anyone ripping the CD/DVD contents then posting them online .bleh.

A computer's DVD player can technically play DVDs from many regions.
The problem is that, after a few times playing a DVD, the DVD software will ask you to set a "Defaulted" playing zone. Some do while some don't!

I've managed to play almost all my Jpop and Cpop (Region 2) DVDs I've bought without problems on my PC but my stand-alone player won't play them. I've since upgraded my stand-alone DVD player to a Region-Free player to play them!

@mrmojo: i just want to ask, does HMV accept both credit cards and cash-on delivery?

I purchase my CD/DVD at YesAsia.
No problems to get the items to germany

If you check out HMV JP's website (it's in Japanese and English), they'll accept credit cards but doesn't appear to accept COD (cash on delivery) esp. for international orders.

AWESOME!! thanks for the info and review...

fyi, hmv sometimes offer discount that called 'multibuy discount' you can get cheaper price if you buy two, or more CD that in 'multibuy' promo XD

in my opinion, both CDjapan and hmv are better than yes asia, or play asia. but, HMV cheaper than cdjapan.
but (again) CDjapan have better package if you get 'external bonus'.


ah well, sorry if my english weird, i'm still study *face palm*

oh i see, thanks mrmojo

Thx for the info.

Just check out HMV store at 313 somerset . They have the two latest Scandal cds . The cover mini album and Tempation box . But dont have their first album .Sad man guessed i need to order online .

jim wrote:Just check out HMV store at 313 somerset . They have the two latest Scandal cds . The cover mini album and Tempation box . But dont have their first album .Sad man guessed i need to order online .

For SG, just go online to sites like cdjapan or HMV Japan. You get the items faster & cheaper than HMV stores in 313 or Citylink.

I'm wondering if any of SCANDAL music is available for online downloads, and I mean paid downloads.
I remember reading something, their song were taken down from iTunes Japan due to problems with Sony, but that was a while ago, so is it still un-available? Is there anywhere we can buy SCANDAL digital songs online?
FYI, I'm in the USA, so things like Chaku-uta won't work.
also I'm was planning on buying some iTunes Japan card and create a japanese itunes account, that why I want to know if it will be available.

Hello everyone! I was just wondering, if you were in Japan or somewhere else in Asia, do you think you would be able to purchase cds in local HMV or something? Or are they thinking about releasing their cds everywhere? Thanks ^^;;

@CuriosSonic: Most definitely yes.

@Plutonium
Thank you very much ^^! Time to bug my cousin's overseas to buy me some cds muwahaha ^^

Guys!
Is the yesasia.com really trusted for online purchase?
and does it also ships here at the philippines?

@monogrith7: SANKYUU very much for sharing the link~!! at lassst!!

@Justin: I'd ordered from YesAsia.com many times and never had any problems. I live in the USA and all my products were always on time or even faster than they should. I'm sorry as I don't know about Philippines, but they do ship international, so maybe they do.

YesAsia is reliable. They do seem slow to get the box to whoever is taking the box to you, though.

but i felt their prices r quite high..

is that so.. thanks for that... Now , i think I can trust YesAsia for Online Purchase..

Justin wrote:Guys!
Is the yesasia.com really trusted for online purchase?
and does it also ships here at the philippines?

I've never had a problem with them, and I placed 5 orders there over the past 2 months. They may seem a little expensive, but their shipping is a lot cheaper than at CDJapan for instance. At least for me here in the US, I don't know how that works out with shipping to PH.

I usually order from yesasia.com to take advantage of its free shipping. But it onlu if you order past the amount. I usually compared YA to CDJ and the last time, i foumd CD J was cheaper, including shipping. Both are good store nonetheless.

Well, now we know where to buy CD's...all this time...I've been listening to them on youtube only. Now I get to listen to others songs!!! I didn't want to download their songs from other sites because that would be shameful!!! I'm a real fan!!!

Once SCANDAL discography are available for online downloads, please notify. I can't seem to find them on iTunes, either it's not on the US version, or iTunes SUCK! SCANDAL ROCKS! They should be made available on iTunes. Another reason to hate Apple.

Anyone...does anybody know how long the shipping takes to get to UnitedKingdom?

I use CD Japan, myself. At least, since last Fall.

EDIT: I recommend using the cheapest air mail option. It's still extremely fast (3-4 business days to Québec).