posted on June 8, 2005 01:35:50 PM new
Each and every time I list an old Coleman camping item (Lanterns & Coolers) 9 times out of 10 a bidder in Japan wins the item and is more than happy to shell out the $$$ for air shipping costs.
1. Is camping a popular Japanese pastime?
2. Is there a Coleman "Fetish" going on
3. Are thier products inferior to American made Coleman?
posted on June 8, 2005 01:40:31 PM new
i dont know how popular camping is in Japan but Japanese hotels in some areas do not charge per room,it goes by headcounts.
so a family of 4 would be paying 4 times the rate per person.
so how does a middle class japanese family fight back?They camp in the hotel parking lot!
-sig file -------
Eat grass,kick ass,never go belly up!
posted on June 8, 2005 02:42:53 PM new
I'm not sure, but I don't think Coleman ever exported their products to Japan. Camping is very popular over there and Coleman equipment is in high demand. If you will notice the bidding history on some of the lantern auctions, you will see the same names bidding on many of them. I believe these are large camping equipment dealers. And you are correct. They don't want it sent surface economy. They will gladly pay for air, and I've had a couple even ask for Global Express. By default, my auctions are all US bidders only. However, when I list anything with a Coleman label on it, I open it up for international bidding and usually launch the auction at 2 a.m. so it will end at 7 p.m. in Japan. Just be careful you don't schedule it to end during an Ebay or Vendio scheduled maintenance time.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on June 8, 2005 02:58:28 PM new
The lanterns must be a very collectible item in Japan (like Levi's jeans). I would guess the lanterns might also be a popular item as decorative home furnishings. (coolers sell also!?!)
posted on June 8, 2005 03:16:12 PM new
I do not know about NEW items, good question. I sold a 1960's large Coleman metal cooler in orig/Box for $120 last summer to a guy in Japan...
posted on June 8, 2005 03:30:11 PM new
The lanterns to look for are the red ones from the 60's and 70's. I've sold several, and not a single one went to the U.S. The Japanese will outbid the Americans every time for these. I heard once that red lanterns represented good luck in Japan. I sold one a couple years ago that was in the original metal case. It went for $185.00 and he wanted Express shipping. A word of caution, though. Be sure to empty out all the gas and let it air out with the filler cap off for about a week before you even think about shipping it. You don't want those Beagles at the airport to sniff it out and get excited. The bomb squad can get pretty touchy it they have to open it and find nothing but a lantern.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
[ edited by sparkz on Jun 8, 2005 03:31 PM ]
Recreational camping is a characteristically American pastime, so it may be a little surprising to learn that Coleman memorabilia is popular in Japan. "Actually the collecting of Coleman camping equipment is probably bigger in Japan than in the United States," said Pennell, who frequently sells items from his collection to Japanese customers. One reason, he theorized, is that the Coleman insignia found on fuel tanks and some glass globes is a rising sun, which is also a Japanese national symbol.
Coleman lanterns sell readily in Japan despite a big price difference. Pennell said a piece that sells for $30 to $40 in the United States might cost $250 to $300 in Japan.
posted on June 8, 2005 06:54:09 PM new
Earthhquakes and such are ALWAYS on their minds,,the red ones are small.....they take up LESS space than the Green ones...they are VERY Small size oriented......Space is a Premium over there. Something like an earthquake happens they siphon gas from the smashed cars for fuel.......A trash truck in Japan looks like a Tonka toy compared to our MONSTER trash trucks.....been there, seen it, heard it......BTW,,,,they are BIG time Snow skiiers too......
posted on June 9, 2005 05:50:08 AM new
WELL I WILL BE DURNED AND GIGGERED.... YA LEARN SOMETHING EVERY DAY... AND I LEARN ALOT READING THESE THREADS! Thanks for the heads up. I live in a place where that stuff is very likely to be at yard sales. Before reading this I would NEVER have given it a second look. Have a good day all.
posted on June 10, 2005 05:33:01 AM new
MICMIC I am so very grateful for this thread. HONESTLY summer on ebay is a tough time as we all WELL know. Any thing I can list and make $ on well, I'm there. I hate items in poor condition so would be hesitant to spend my hard earned $s on it but do very much appriciate the advise.
The lantern that sthoemke listed above this made my coffee hurt my throat as I tried to swallow! WHO WODDA THUNK IT!
But the earth quake and space thing makes alot of sense. After the recent Sunami I watched a film on what the Japanese have done in the area of civil defense for after a disaster. Very intyeresting thread... for lots of reasons.
posted on June 10, 2005 07:42:52 AM new
"scratched and rusted stuff won't even get a bid".
Some in Japan refurbish them....I once sold 20 RED lanterns, all were beat up....highest bid for $35.00. I listed them in a Choice auction format. Take the one you like. The buyer was,,,,,,,Japanese He took them ALL for $25.00 a piece! Yippie! Got that one done QUICK before the SELF appointed CHOICE auction Police heard of it. hahahahaha....
Parts people,,,,parts in these lanterns sell too...
posted on June 11, 2005 07:10:36 PM new
Interesting how you read about something you never knew existed on EO then see one a few days later! (Twilight Zone music plays in the background.)
Was in an antique mall today and found a RED Coleman lantern in the box. I grabbed it and said, "I could sell this to Japan!" My husband was not enthusiastic and I was not sure I about the price. The box was in pretty good shape and the lantern looked very nice and clean. The price was $35. When I go home I ran a search and fond red Colemans going from $9.99 to $185. Obviously you have to know more than RED to be sure of the big bucks.
Guess I better stick to what I know.
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“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
posted on June 11, 2005 07:18:13 PM new
Yup, and you have to turn it UP side down and then,,,,,you will S@@ the DATE when it was made,,,,,,,,All years Mean SOMETHING to EVERYONE......57,,,,,61,,,,,,66,,,,,etc..You get the idea,,,,,Month and Year..... All,,,,Coleman stuff is Stamp Dated,,,,,,,
posted on June 11, 2005 07:52:20 PM new
Photosensitive...Get a good, legible picture of the imprint on the bottom. This is extremely important. As Jack says, the date stamp and rising sun can start bidding wars. Don't be surprised if you have to take a dozen or more pictures at different angles and lighting conditions to get one that is legible. Those red ones can be tricky. Also, the original box is a big plus. Be sure to get a picture of it. BTW, I just noticed sthoemke's post above with a link to buyer Yumo's recent Ebay purchases. This guy is a customer of mine and one of the bidders I referred to in a previous post as a dealer in camping equipment in Japan.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on June 12, 2005 06:25:44 AM new
I did not buy the one I found because I did not have enough info to make a decision. If it is there when I go back to that mall again I will take a look at the bottom. Is there a cutoff date for the most desirable examples?
-----o----o----o----o----o----o----o----o
“The illiterate of the future will be the person ignorant of the use of the camera as well as of the pen.”
Maholy-Nagy, Vision in Motion, 1947
He took them ALL for $25.00 a piece! Yippie! Got that one done QUICK before the SELF appointed CHOICE auction Police heard of it. hahahahaha....