BallReviews

General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: michael.willis9 on July 30, 2017, 06:09:51 PM

Title: Japanese market?
Post by: michael.willis9 on July 30, 2017, 06:09:51 PM
I'll be getting stationed in Japan for a few months and the base I'm going to has a bowling alley. I'm curious if there's a way I can see whats on the international market for Japan ahead of time that way I'll know what I want when I get there. I've seen international brand bowling so I've seen some stuff but curious if there's other ways?  I also have a few shipping questions for sending it back home when I leave there
Title: Re: Japanese market?
Post by: Snakster on July 31, 2017, 07:23:56 AM
http://www.abs300.com/eng_papers/ball_poster.html (http://www.abs300.com/eng_papers/ball_poster.html)

Starthere and roam around a bit.  Good luck and happy hunting.
Title: Re: Japanese market?
Post by: mrwizerd on July 31, 2017, 07:55:51 AM
Most, if not all, military installations will have a post office on them regardless if they are stateside or overseas.  They should be able to handle all of your shipping needs.

The only concern I would have would be finding the cardboard boxes for the 2nd layer of protection, i.e. 9x9x9 boxes.  If you have an idea of how many balls you plan on purchasing, I would suggest you bring the cardboard boxes with you and a roll or two of packing tape to ensure you have it.  For example if you plan on purchasing 4 balls, talk with your local pro shop about getting an empty case from them and using that to mail your purchases back.

Another suggestion is to use the Japanese postal system or maybe there is a UPS or FedEx or DHL office in the local area (of the base) that you can use.

Bottom line...there should be no reason for you to not be able to ship some bowling balls back.
Title: Re: Japanese market?
Post by: spmcgivern on July 31, 2017, 12:08:30 PM
It may depending on where in Japan you are stationed.  If you are interested in the overseas market, you may have better luck going to a local non-military center.  When I was in the Marine Corps, the base pro shops got their equipment from the U.S. since MWR had contracts with U.S. distributors.  It may have changed since I was in though (1990-2000).
Title: Re: Japanese market?
Post by: mrwizerd on July 31, 2017, 01:25:12 PM
It may depending on where in Japan you are stationed.  If you are interested in the overseas market, you may have better luck going to a local non-military center.  When I was in the Marine Corps, the base pro shops got their equipment from the U.S. since MWR had contracts with U.S. distributors.  It may have changed since I was in though (1990-2000).

This is good information if had planned on purchasing from an on-base pro shop.  My original reply was based on you going to an off-base pro shop to make your purchases.
Title: Re: Japanese market?
Post by: spmcgivern on July 31, 2017, 05:28:06 PM
It may depending on where in Japan you are stationed.  If you are interested in the overseas market, you may have better luck going to a local non-military center.  When I was in the Marine Corps, the base pro shops got their equipment from the U.S. since MWR had contracts with U.S. distributors.  It may have changed since I was in though (1990-2000).

This is good information if had planned on purchasing from an on-base pro shop.  My original reply was based on you going to an off-base pro shop to make your purchases.

Without knowing the purpose of the trip or the travel arrangements, it is hard to assume the following:

Quote
should be no reason for you to not be able to ship some bowling balls back

If the OP is traveling commercial, then transporting equipment can be difficult.  If the OP is moving and having personal belongings shipped and shipped back, then yes, transportation of equipment would be easy.

There is a lot not known at this time.
Title: Re: Japanese market?
Post by: michael.willis9 on July 31, 2017, 09:19:18 PM
I'll on kadena AFB. There is a pro shop on base but I may go in town to get something overseas
Title: Re: Japanese market?
Post by: HackJandy on July 31, 2017, 10:53:25 PM
C300 EPX A1 (Riccochet) Japanese ball I want but about 10 years too late on that one.
Title: Re: Japanese market?
Post by: mrwizerd on August 01, 2017, 07:02:28 AM
I'll on kadena AFB. There is a pro shop on base but I may go in town to get something overseas

They might have some overseas equipment in the base pro shop (worth a look), but my guess is that they will carry only U.S. releases.  Your best bet would be to go to an off base pro shop.

I can guarantee that Kadena has a post office that you will be able to ship your purchases.  Once again you might want to bring some cardboard boxes with you just so you have them on hand in case the post office doesn't have any or the pro shop is stingy with theirs.
Title: Re: Japanese market?
Post by: Bowler19525 on August 01, 2017, 07:50:36 PM
I lived on Kadena AFB and bowled there in junior leagues back in the early 80s.  My first ever ball was drilled by the shop there.  I never bowled at any centers off base.  That was a long time ago and I am sure things have changed exponentially.

There is most definitely a post office on base (when I was there it was by the commissary and movie theater...again I am sure everything is different.)  Mail and packages were sent via an APO address, and took some time to go between the USA and Japan and vise versa.  Packages could take up to 60 days to arrive to us on base.

At the current exchange rate, don't be surprised to spend up to $500 for a new high performance ball off base.