No Bland Bass

[Nocturnal]

http://cgi.ebay.com/No-bland-Old-P-Bass-perfect-first-bass-beginner-/260696122434?pt=Guitar&hash=item3cb2b32442

He says it in the title and in the listing. How can we be sure it isn't bland?

[Highlander]

Honoulabul Japanese manufactular - problem telling R's from L (bow?)

[Pilgrim]

I think it's a No-Name bland.

Definitely used, not bland new.

[Dave W]

That's the way I took it too.

[Nocturnal]

I figured he meant 'brand'. I just found it amusing that he spelled it wrong twice, and that in this case bland isn't a good description to use to sell something. My sister lives in Japan and will send us items that have instructions that make no sense, along with a lot of L's replacing R's.

[PhilT]

Can't ship to US because of customs/security. Is that a common problem?

[Highlander]

I believe there are some nations that the US gets a bit twitchy about - is there something your govenrment hasn't told you...?

[Dave W]

AFAIK there's no problem with Japanese sellers shipping instruments to the US. This particular seller probably just doesn't want to deal with whatever is involved. I can understand that.

[copacetic]

About 3 weeks new restrictions were imposed on boxes/packages from Japan to the U.S. Nothing above 460 grams can be shipped(this may be true of some other countries as well) via Post (this includes SAL and EMS). Not sure where UPS or Fedex are on this but have been told the same. I have a business based in Japan and this is a huge problem right now. Musical instruments of course fall into this category as well. The only boxes (and there are size and weight restrictions on those as well) that can be sent have to be sea shipped which generally take 8 weeks! The only way around it is to find someone who is shipping containers and if you can consolidate with them you can receive it in about 4-5 weeks (do you know anybody in the car or antique furniture business?). I have also been informed that these restrictions are permanent. I really wonder how Miki Gakki and Japanese (other countries) Ebay sellers are going to deal with this?  

[copacetic]

After investigating the EMS & SAL matter as it involves my business with Japan: Only companies with contracts over a year with the express mailing system (EMS & SAL in Japan) can send packages above 460 grams to the U.S from now. Companies like ishibashi already have these contracts in place so they can carry on. However independent sellers or individuals will be relegated to the surface method which also has it's limitations. Families with relatives in the U.S. and Ebayers etc. are in a quandary. 

[Dave W]

Thanks for the explanation. Too bad for those affected. At least the longtime sellers with contracts can still ship guitars.

[dadagoboi]

I feel so much safer!