In 2002,
E-Bay Pulled out of Japan for a reason. The big picture is – Its not in the Japanese
culture to buy items 2nd hand. In fact they value quality and are
hyper vigilant on their item’s depreciation value and quickly replace their equipment
with more value-returning assets. This culture of theirs; gets them to junk valuable items mostly around 3-5 years, and no body re-purchase them ever again in their country. which makes us really happy as we Filipinos love 2nd hand and slightly used items, we even treasure them and feel proud about them which even helps us glorify the success of sulit.com as an example.
One man's trash is another man's treasure
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I stumbled
over Japan Home Center's warehouse in Quezon Avenue by accident. While commuting, the public
utility vehicle I rode went pass Araneta Ave and took the underpass which led
me to Sto. Domingo Church, a block away from where I was supposed to get off. I
wasn’t surprise for what had happened given that I saw the driver to had looked like 60+
years old and could probably have problems in hearing.
I got
curious of this mysterious place while walking between Sto. Domingo Church and Araneta Ave
along Quezon Avenue. This place looks like a warehouse of various furniture. Dark,
closed and it looked private, but it didn’t kept me from walking in and looking
around as I love table lamps and I saw beautiful lamps out on their windows.
To my
surprise I found tons of rare items inside their warehouse. Items we won’t even ever see in Green Hills, Raon, Divisoria or even in antique shops
and this place really looks like a hoarding place of the stuffs from the 90’s. Just
check out some pics of rare items I have found.
Most items are valued by it's current market value; less 30% to 80% of it's store value depending on it's quality and usability.
I think this is the only store in Metro Manila that sells a Super Nes
that is still working. this is a classic and very hard to find piece
right now. almost like a collectors item of game consoles already
Upright Electric Piano / Organs worth half priced brand new models today
Appliances, Microwaves and Ovens, They even have Baking ovens with Stoves
2nd hand bowling balls and shoes
Pretty decent slightly used Dinning Tables and Bed Frames
Office Leather Chairs at half priced brand new ones.
Old Printer Models & Scanners, Fax machines all working, or for parts
High End branded Stereo Component Sets
Exercise Equipments
Good quality slightly used, furniture, Sofas and Sala Sets
Leather Sofas at half priced from our brand new ones in department stores
Poker / Cards / Mahjong Table haha!
It takes a pianist to spot a good quality piano, and Japanese pianos are from really good materials and classic furnishing!
they have tons of Manga - Comics Collection, Impossible to be not complete Sets
Scary Sea of pots, they don't use plates in Japan that is why there's a lot here.
Familiar? Some Yuyu Hakusho Comics
just an example of their pricing. I know these tables are 8k to 13k in furniture and office stores, they are selling these at 5k each; some have minor scratches but what the heck, cover them with your work stuff then!
Hard to find original games PS1
Play Station 2 Original Games - Japan
Some items they sell are defective, like some tape players are not working but if you want a durable FM component these are really cheap from around P1k
They have rare and hard to find Japanese robot toys, but half priced since they are 2nd hand
Japanese Loves to golf, their golf bags and clubs are so cheap and in sets here. and BTW almost 30% of golf courses in the PH have at least Japanese minority ownership, that's how much they love to golf.
Where else can you find a working PS1 in metro manila? yes its now rare but they have it here for sale
Disposable and de - Film cameras, some of the items here are CD players and Tape Player Walkmans and sound recorders.
Most of their stuffs are appliances and office equipments that are slightly used but half the price or even below half of how much they are priced in department stores, but also take in mind the value of using 2nd hand and brand new. Buying brand new will still give you a long way, and 2nd hand items are mostly defective items that could have only been re-paired for re-selling.
