Anyone here know the best place to go for Japanese editions of CDs? And by best, I mean "cheapest"? There are currently three CDs I want to get, for the Japanese bonus tracks. But at $30 - $35 each, it begins to add up!

Dave,

I usually wait for about a month after the discs have been released, then they tend to show up heavily discounted through one of these Amazon third party dealers ...

Blow It Outa Here:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/shops/storefront/index.html?sellerID=A3DJR8M9Y3OUPG&tag=imwan-20

Import CDs:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/shops/storefront/index.html?sellerID=APZB0IDP1EYQW&tag=imwan-20

I try to avoid ordering directly from Japan because those mini LP sleeves often end up creased or warped from the journey, but I know that other ICErs have had good experiences.

Excellent choices, Linda. I've used and recommend both.

I have had terrible luck finding the Japanese imports I'm looking for on Amazon. On the other hand, I've gotten a couple of very cool recent releases sent to me directly from http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/ complete with promotional posters.

I've also had good luck with cdjapan

Another +1 vote for CDJapan

The 2 places Linda recommended are great too.....I use them alot in general....but not sure if ever for Japan discs.

cdbanq,com, who also sells on amazon, but they sell for less direct from their website. I got the recent Chic and Toto re-issues from them and am very happy with the price and service.

My answer would be it depends how rare a title is: press run & demand. If it looks like it will be easy to get, Amazon is the way to go. If not, than it's CD Japan.

If Jim M (aka Roxanne who is his wife) is still here, he would be able to answer best

You may be able to find better prices elsewhere in some cases, but I've been very happy with CD Japan, too. Their prices are reasonable, and they do an amazing job of packing the stuff for shipping.

I've had good luck with both cdjapan and HMV Japan. Nice to check both & price compare, but they seem to usually be in the same ballpark. HMV recently found me a Japanese CD that CDJapan had cancelled my order on as "out of print" (but took a while).

Has anyone ever ordered direct from HMV UK? If so, how was your experience?

I just bought a book through there yesterday....will let you know how it turns out.

Linda is right about Amazon 3rd party sellers.......... wait a while and shop around....... but here is a word of warning: I think I've stated it in the past, but there are a lot of artists and titles that are very limited. When I would get my pre order lists and there was a cutoff date, it meant that they only pressed what was ordered. That effectively makes them out of print on release. If you look at CDJapan's site and they have a limited quantity for preorder, you should jump on the bandwagon and get your preorder in. I could never speculate what would sell and when you have fifty people saying "let me know what it sounds like, and if its good, then I'll order it", and when it is released, it's out of print and you are at the mercy of the Ebay sellers. You snooze, you lose.

On another note, EMI Japan is releasing BEATLES CD's sometime this summer. They are releasing Japan versions of 62-66, 67-70, the 13 reg. releases, Past Masters I & II, The Japan Stereo and Mono boxes, "LOVE", and ANTHOLOGY I, II, and III. There was a cutoff date of 5/19, so these will pretty much be limited also.

One last thing. If you look at CDJapan's site, look at all the releases as there are going to be a bunch of "re-releases" in jewel cases at a list price of 1429 Yen. Some of the artists are: Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Band, David Bowie, The Specials, Lenny Kravitz, Iggy Pop, Heart, Roxy Music, Radiohead, Coldplay, Gary Moore, Brian Eno, XTC, Steve Miller Band, Pat Benatar, Blondie, and Snoop Dogg. They are all listed as "Remastered" and limited to 3 months at that pricing.

GOOD LUCK in your searches. Jim