Dakimakuras anyone?

http://www.bwstore.com.tw/index.php?action=product&do=prd_detail&id=110
This one is freaking hot, but it is too late. :[

Oh my, how'd I miss that one while skimming through? But yeah, that was a couple months ago...

It's not about stock, they are made as per order.
If you're talking about resale, the dakimakura blog has the latest up to date info regarding resales and new covers and whatnot.

Yeah... It is unfortunate. ;[ I was skeptical at first on collecting more ero dakimakuras, until my cousin decided to take my Waffle dakimakura and show it to my mom. To my surprise, she didn't even trip.

I see. So I should just be checking that every now and then. I'm already doing that, so no problem, I guess.

@vietxmikey My parents probably would mind, but that's why I need to keep some stuff hidden, at least until I move out.

Not to be a butthole, but it might help to ask for that in particular then. I can't read everyone's mind...yet. ;)

There really isn't any way to tell if some or "X-amount" will be held back for resale or if they ever will be resold as they are more than likely printed per-order. However, if you do miss out on a pre-order or the purchase of a cover via directly ordering from the circle, etc., chances are you may still be able to find it through an online retailer or listed on Yahoo Auctions Japan. If the latter is the case, then be prepared to spend a little more (or hey, maybe a little less, but typically a little more). There is also the very slim chance that you could contact the site promptly following a missed pre-order date and ask if anyone canceled their pre-order. I guess it just really depends on how badly you want a cover. ;)

But yes, like Zengar said, just keep your eyes on http://blog.埋もれる抱き枕er.jp/

Okay, I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the info. Auctions, though... How do I bid on those from here in the states? I read about (I think it was) SMJ being able to place bids for you, but how do I follow through in case someone posts a higher offer?

Okay, my post was widely misunderstood, so I'll try to clear up what I meant.

By resale, I didn't exclusively mean a cover going back up for a second web reception (though that is included in the possibility) but rather, the estimated price I'll have to pay to acquire it after it has released. In other words, second hand regardless of source. I guess resale wasn't the best word to use, though it definitely does apply.

But to answer your question, it's most guesswork with a bit of gut feeling. Take the typical Evening Call cover, for instance: they retail for 12k, general markup on YJA is about 16-18k, and Evening Call sometimes have a couple of extra in stock and very rarely does a second reception soon after release (Inori and Sena are the two most recent exceptions.) So I'd compare those factors versus another cover; maybe one that I except to be listed on YJA in the 13-4k range or a really popular circle that will likely be listed at 20k+. It's a lot of guesswork combined with experience. In general, the "smart" thing to do is to preorder everything if you can afford it.


And on proxies, yeah. You generally put down a deposit or pay for something outright to a third party (the proxy.) They order/bid on the item for you, receive it, and then ship it out to you when they receive it.

The two primary ones I use are SMJ and Yokatta Web. To keep this from being a massive post (I've described proxies on previous pages if you really want to find the posts) I'll keep it down to the basics of why you'd want to use either one.

SMJ: If you're in the US, this service is awesome. Best for auctions.
Yokatta Web: Best for web orders due to their very low commission.


Heh, I had totally skimmed over your question on proxies and just gave a general proxy overview instead of covering what you were asking. :P Zengar is pretty spot on, though I'd argue that for auctions the difference between SMJ and Yokatta may not be that much depending on the price of the item. That's why I usually use SMJ for auctions; their system is more convenient and unless you can't place a bid with SMJ for some reason, it's not really worth (for me at least) figuring how much I'd save if I used the other service. Not having to pay up front is a big plus, too.

But yeah, if you're outbid on SMJ, you can just place another bid using their system. They only require "manual bids", which do require some lead time, for a very limited portion of auctions and all the rest is placed instantly. With Yokatta, if you're outbid past your maximum bid (that you told Yokatta) on something, you'd have to hope you have enough time to get ahold of them and request an increase. But seeing as the most bid increases come in the closing minutes, it's unlikely you'd be quick enough.

SMJ uses a automated system. Where you can place bids in real time. When someone outbids you, simply bid a higher amount from the UI on your account on SMJ's website.
Use it when there's less then 24 hrs left in a auction or if it's something you want bad.
Yokatta is cheaper(Commission wise) but they have a lead time for placing your bids and by then it would take too much time.
They also seem to be able to get anything without too much problems.And as mentioned, they seem to be the best choice for web orders.
For example, SMJ is unable to handle Carnelian Orders because they unable to pay her through the payment method she wants.
Yokatta got it just fine though.

Okay, so SMJ for bidding, and Yokatta for web orders.

That's basically what it boils down to, yeah. It depends on the situation sometimes, though. I've done quite a few web orders with SMJ, because I didn't have the cash at the time (and if you're in the US, you don't pay until they get the order in) and there was a really limited window that the order was open (Marks and Anko Koubou both do weekend affairs, where web orders are open for 48-72 hours. It can be tough getting a hold of either proxy service in that time and if you don't have the money, that completely rules out Yokatta.)

Cool, so you don't have to pay right away with SMJ. How long does one have to get the money together for orders?

Only if you're in the US, through a technicality and the way they do it could change at anytime, I guess. SMJ doesn't like to bill until they can calculate the total "internal" shipping cost. If you're outside of the US, this is simply the cost from the seller to their Japan warehouse. So they're able to bill immediately after they pay the seller. If you're in the US, "internal" shipping is the domestic cost (seller to their Japanese warehouse) and then their Japanese warehouse to their US warehouse. They can't calculate the second part of that shipping until they have the goods on hand. So US buyers don't get billed until they have the item on hand.

Either way, from the time you're billed, you have 14 days to pay.

I was just messin' around, so I hope you didn't take any offense by that. ;)

Anyhow, I remember how overwhelming proxy bidding sites seemed to me at first, but they're actually pretty straight forward.
First, create an account. Second, decide whether or not you want to make a deposit using paypal or a credit/check card (some sites will offer better Yen:USD perks if you use one deposit method over the other, but go with what you're comfortable with). Third, bid away!

It may take a day or two to get all set up, but once you do you can start bidding, essentially using their account. If someone else using their service is bidding on the same item that you wish to bid on, you cannot bid on that item and vice-versa. If someone outbids you, simply place another bid using the proxy service. ;)

There are sevral services, but the two I primarily use are www.shoppingmalljapan.com and www.rinkya.com

I started out using Rinkya, who does offer discounts on doujinshi auctions, but not on anything else. Their handling rates are a bit higher, but I like their service and will ship overseas via FedEx (recommended). SMJ has cheaper handling rates and they don't charge you until they usually don't invoice you until they receive the item at their warehouse in Japan. From there they ship your items to their US office and will ship to you from there, avoiding customs BS. In my experience, their boxes and packing materials smell like fucking cigarettes which is kind of annoying. ( '-_-)

There are several other services, but this should keep you busy. Enjoy!
Also, don't get too carried away, you can burn through a grand faster than you think buying dakimakura. I still think the prices for these things are absolutely ridiculous - they shouldn't be more than $80 max!

I see... That makes sense. And 14 days seems like plenty, but I wouldn't know, yet.

@Kobun: It's okay, no offense taken.
And I agree, it seems like so much for each.

It definitely beats having to pay up front. They're fairly lax about deadlines, too; I try not to be late but have been a day or two late on my last few invoices without any penalty.

How bad are the penalties, by the way?

$50 USD per hour.


No, with Rinkya they are $10 each auction I believe. I haven't incurred any late fees through SMJ.

If you go over the 14 days, and piss them off enough that they charge you a penalty, it's 10% (of the total invoice) for another 14 days. Then 10% for 14 days after that. And then either another 14 day cycle (I forget how many you get) or they charge your card (if you have one on file) or use up all of your cash deposit and I guess try to get the rest of the cash (if the deposit doesn't cover what you owe) some other way.

I don't think I'd be irresponsible enough to miss more than that first penalty. I'd learn my lesson to pay on time by then. 10% more is a good chunk more.