Reliability of Japanese Proxies?

[mono14]

Since most of our Superfuture proxies are currently on hiatus, I tried to use another proxy to get some items from Zozotown, C-Plus and Rakuten. I asked the proxy to sum up a total for me, and he was quick to give me one. I reviewed the total and found out that he was charging me a flat shipping fee of 1200 yen for all items shipped within Japan (from the store to proxy). I thought this was a little strange, since most shops don't charge such prices for shipping within Japan. I did a little research, and it turned out that Zozotown charged 399 yen, C-plus 525 yen, and Bears Rakuten 0 yen to ship my items to the proxy. I talked to him about the actual costs, and he claimed that he had overlooked them and assumed that the shops charged a "default postage cost" of 1200 yen. He agreed to change the prices, and then told me that he wouldn't send me my goods if the shipping costs I had told him were wrong. In all honesty this seems like intended fraud- unless I'm missing something here. I don't see how the hell there can be a default postage cost, and how a proxy can accidentally overlook the postage costs that are explicitly written on item descriptions. I decided not to buy from him, and I'm currently setting a moneybookers account to buy from Jake Unkutt.

Now, I'm not doubting the honesty of all proxies. I had a great experience with parachutes and 2000db. However, I wouldn't be surprised if other proxies included some hidden charges as well. Any thoughts?

[artificialsky]

who was this dude?

[mono14]

You're right. It just pisses me off that this proxy had to set the shipping costs (from the stores to himself) at such a cost although there was absolutely no way to justify it. Hell, the jeans I ordered actually didn't have any postage costs. He didn't say that he was charging a flat fee for shipping within Japan either.

[mono14]

No.

Though I want to protect the proxy's privacy, I think other potential buyers should be aware as well so...

http://www.k4.dion.ne.jp/~buying/

[hollaforadolla]

i got a quote from him too to ship from bears. he charged me for shipping from bears to his house... i knew something was up so i didnt respond.

but in the long run, its 10 dollars...

[mono14]

i got a quote from him too to ship from bears. he charged me for shipping from bears to his house... i knew something was up so i didnt respond.

but in the long run, its 10 dollars...

I ordered 5 things from him, and he was also charging paypal fees too.. so it amounted up to about $40.

Oh well, theres other proxies too.