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Buying stuff on the internet, credit vs. debit cards, etc.

 
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YourMessageHere



Joined: 14 Dec 2011
Posts: 3

PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:06 am    Post subject: Buying stuff on the internet, credit vs. debit cards, etc. Reply with quote

I'm waiting on a certificate of eligibility and preparing myself for coming to Japan, and the issue of online shopping is something that's been worrying me. I know Japan isn't big on card use in physical shops; I just used cash when I was there studying, and since I was in striking range of Tokyo I didn't really need to order anything online. When I was studying (2008-9), I had a Mizuho account; that had a cash card, with no other function. So far as I know that account still exists, empty but in decent standing (I still have my little book and my Inkan).

I don't know where I'll be working - it depends on where the vacancies are when all the paperwork goes through, I think. But that means I may need internet ordering abilities.

To complicate matters, I don't have a credit card as such. I do have a Visa Debit card, and that's always been completely acceptable online here in the UK and overseas, including at CDJapan and HobbyLinkJapan. I've never wanted a fully-fledged credit card and never had a need for one; to be honest I don't fully understand the damn things.

So what I'd like to know is this:

- will I have a problem getting Mizuho to give me something I can use to buy stuff online?

- are other banks more approachable? Should I just open a new account?

- do I need an actual credit card or will debit be OK for Japanese sites?

- if I do need a credit card, I may be able to get one here before I leave. Will this be acceptable? If not, will it improve my chances?

- is there an alternative I've not considered?

Any insights appreciated.
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funkyging



Joined: 06 Jan 2011
Posts: 45

PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 12:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm getting a Road bike delivered to my school next week. I haven't got my bank account yet so i asked one of my teachers to help me out and she told me you didn't need a credit card for buying off of amazon. Theres an option to have it delivered and you pay the delivery person.

That would never fly in Scotland but supposedly its pretty common in Japan!

I dont know about any other sites apart from amazon.jp though sorry
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kah5217



Joined: 29 Sep 2012
Posts: 270
Location: Ibaraki

PostPosted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 4:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's called COD. It used to be popular in the US but they don't really do it here anymore.

You can have Amazon shipments paid for at various konbini. Read this page.
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