Job Discussion Forums

[Black_Beer_Man]

This is a thread dedicated to discussing consumer issues in Japan. Please feel free to introduce topics that concern you.

Discounts in Japan: Is it just me or do you think discounts here are small as compared to your home country? I often see products reduced 2% - 5% in Japan whereas in North America, you won't see a discount lower than 10%. Examples:

1) Today I was looking at some cheap happoshu (low malt beer). It was 78 yen a can. however, if I bought a 6 pack, each can would only cost a mere 76 yen. Now I asked myself, "Where's the incentive to buy a 6 pack when I am only saving 12 yen (on an item that costs 460 yen)?" So, I only bought 2 cans.

2) I remember seeing a poster at a Family Mart saying that their fried potatoes were on sale - 10 yen off from 170 yen to 160 yen. Does a 10 yen discount really persuade Japanese shoppers to buy french fries?

How often do you see deep discounts and Japan? What kinds of items do you usually see reduced?

[kah5217]

Hmm. Got a 50% discount on a Hetalia cookbook at animate today, but I usually don't see discounts outside of reduced groceries or the occasional ¥20 off 7-11 sandwiches.

[rxk22]

Got me. I love the little stamp sized 1 yen coupons that the drug store gives out. Seriously?

[timothypfox]

Clothing discounts can be quite sweeping if you buy off season. I just bought a 38,000 suit and got a second one for 1,000 more. These suits will be great because they come with 2 sets of pants, so almost kind of like 4 suits.

The salesperson was irked because she wanted to sell me more expensive suits for summer. I explained that I did cool bizz in my office and didn't need cool summer suits. She also wanted to sell me expensive shirts, but I declined because I usually get cheaper wash and wear knock-offs at Uniqlo.

The price was almost comparable to discounts you get in the states. Although nothing compared to a $99 suit I bought in NYC 3 years ago...

[TokyoLiz]

Discounts depend on where you shop, and what product you are after. Also, timing is important.

Rainy day discounts at supermarkets can be 20-50%.

I just bought summer clothes and the prices were significantly discounted. At the register I was given coupons for specific sale days - 30-50% off on some items.

Beer prices don't move much because alcohol is regulated.

Drinks marked down to 100 yen from 120 yen are a significant saving, I'd say. A five hundred yen piece gets you five drinks for you and four friends.

[Black_Beer_Man]

Yesterday I went into a Mc Donalds in Chuo Rinkan station (Kanagawa) and ordered the large Big Mac set. When I asked for 3 ketchups, I was told that I could not get 3 ketchups as there is a limit of 2 packs. can you believe that?

Man! Only in Japan would Mc Donalds be so stingy.

[Pitarou]

[Black_Beer_Man]

[HLJHLJ]

[Black_Beer_Man]

So, some American McDonadls are are stingy with ketcup too. At least in the U.S., the public washrooms provide SOMETHING to dry your hands with. Frequently in Japan nothing - no paper towels and not even a simple hand dryer is provided for you to dry your hands.

If that's not stingy, I don't know what is.

[HLJHLJ]

I usually find there are dryers or towels in semi-public toilets, e.g. convenience stores, malls, etc. but not in train stations or truly public places like parks, etc..

In the UK you usually have to pay to use public toilets, if you are lucky enough to be able to find one, and desperate enough to use it. Is it more or less stingy to charge for toilets and provide a hand dryer, or to provide the facilities for free, but no hand towels?

Are free well-stocked public toilets widely available in the USA?

[sicklyman]

[HLJHLJ]

[rxk22]

That is the nice thing about Japan. No awful customers. No one making a huge mess, and then rolling out like a jerk.

[Pitarou]