Finding a place to import Missing Moon?

[chikorita157]

Okay, I want to get a copy of Idolmaster SP, but the only problem that it's not in stock. AmiAmi is out of the question and Playasia has it on backorder (although I placed an order just in case it miraculously gets restocked). Does anyone have any other legitimate source of getting the game aside from those sites that actually stock the games and around the same price? (please no EBay...)

[Cael K.]

Strangely enough, there are some independent sellers on Amazon.com that import the game.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=idolmaster+sp&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aidolmaster+sp&ajr=2

Maybe NCSX might do you too, only heard of them though. Never bought from them, but they've been around forever. (EDIT: Sorry, checked they only have the Asian edition if that matters to you.)
http://www.shopncsx.com/search.aspx?find=idolmaster&page=2

Really just a quick look, there're probably others out there. Aren't there some importers that regularly go to cons? Prices will be stupid high, but eh... no eBay, no AmiAmi, and no Play-Asia kinda takes you off the beaten path. Other than that, deputy services and actual Japanese stores.

On the other hand, some sellers that have their own site you can buy from also list on eBay (and link in their eBay store description), so even with those restrictions, you might come up with a non-eBay site to buy from when searching eBay. Sometimes prices will be a few bucks lower on the personal site, too (don't count on that).

[chikorita157]

Strangely enough, there are some independent sellers on Amazon.com that import the game.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=idolmaster+sp&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aidolmaster+sp&ajr=2

Maybe NCSX might do you too, only heard of them though. Never bought from them, but they've been around forever. (EDIT: Sorry, checked they only have the Asian edition if that matters to you.)
http://www.shopncsx.com/search.aspx?find=idolmaster&page=2

Really just a quick look, there're probably others out there. Aren't there some importers that regularly go to cons? Prices will be stupid high, but eh... no eBay, no AmiAmi, and no Play-Asia kinda takes you off the beaten path. Other than that, deputy services and actual Japanese stores.

On the other hand, some sellers that have their own site you can buy from also list on eBay (and link in their eBay store description), so even with those restrictions, you might come up with a non-eBay site to buy from when searching eBay. Sometimes prices will be a few bucks lower on the personal site, too (don't count on that).

Of course, I forgot to mention that I did check AmiAmi, but they were sold out... But I will wait to see if my order gets stocked by next week or so... Otherwise, I'll go searching for another source

[chikorita157]

Goddangit... Playasia apparently sold out on Missing Moon, so I ended up canceling the order and got Wandering Star instead since they have it in stock. I will import the Asian version, even though it will cost a bit more than the Japanese copy... Oh well, won't be buying any DLC for IMas 2 anytime soon.

[redhairedking]

Amazon has been pretty reliable for me. It seems strange that the Asia version is costing you more, it is usually the other way around.

[chikorita157]

I figured out there the games are also on PSN, but considering how much PSN cards are, it will end up costing about the same (2800 yen for the download and $46.99 for a Japanese PSN card to cover the purchase.). The only problem is that I don't own a PSP (my sister do, which I will borrow to play the game) and it's tied to my English PSN account. Still, I'll figure it out, but first I'll wait until my copy of Wandering Star ever comes in.

[animagic4u]

Did you look for the best versions? They're pretty cheap.

[chikorita157]

Did you look for the best versions? They're pretty cheap.

I was looking at that, but unfortunately, it got sold out and I can only really find it around 43-53 dollars.

[chikorita157]

Just an update on the never ending wait... I have bugged Playasia's customer service two times today and I got this generic response...

Dear James,

We are very sorry for the delay in shipping out your package. As we are
still in waiting for the ordered stocks of Idolm@ster SP: Wandering Star
(PSP the Best) (Sony PSP™ Japan, No Region Protection) from our
suppliers. Please be informed that we are only depending on their
availability. Once they deliver it in our warehouse, we will definitely
ship out your order on the same day. We kindly ask for your patience.

Sorry for the inconvenience caused.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Best regards,

Ann
Play-Asia.com

Kind of makes me doubt that they ever will restock the game and ship it... either way, going to wait another week and a half. If I get no response in that time frame, I'll bug them again. Either way, I wish I got it elsewhere or just get some JPN PSN points and download the game at this rate... I would prefer a physical copy, but... yeah, it lowed my chances of buying anything from them ever again.

[ikuto-sama]

There's a few listings on Ebay for Wandering Star and Missing Moon although they're pretty pricey; around the $50-$60 mark. Some of them are used though and I'm assuming you'd prefer a new copy, and I don't know how trustworthy the sellers are. I got Missing Moon off Play-Asia in December but it looks now they're out of stock, and I bought Perfect Sun and Wandering Star while I was in Japan a couple of summers ago. I wish I knew more so I could be of help

[chikorita157]

If I knew about it earlier, I should of import it last summer... but anyways, I posed a complaint on my sideblog, so I hope it comes up in the next one week in a half... or another angry blog post again.

Otherwise, I'm going to check Amazon, NSCX next or just download it from PSN.

[Cael K.]

Honestly, the same thing happened when I ordered the Best of 765+876 Vol.2 from them. I actually kinda forgot about canceling the order, in fact, I forgot about the entire thing, and they eventually got one in and gave it to me. Which was cool since they had it for 32 bucks or something small.

EDIT: ... It only took 2 and a half months to get it, though.

[chikorita157]

Honestly, the same thing happened when I ordered the Best of 765+876 Vol.2 from them. I actually kinda forgot about canceling the order, in fact, I forgot about the entire thing, and they eventually got one in and gave it to me. Which was cool since they had it for 32 bucks or something small.

EDIT: ... It only took 2 and a half months to get it, though.

I kind of saw it while looking through your blog... This is the main reason I usually buy my CDs off CDJapan. At least I know it will come since it's from Japan even though it costs a little more due to the strong yen. Still, the saga continues, for now.

[chikorita157]

Some good news... I finally got the email that my order has been shipped out. Overall, it took 18 full days to get it shipped... But it's better than nothing I guess.

I will probably get Missing Moon on PSN since I also want to get a DLC song for my let's play.

[animagic4u]

PSN is probably the best way to go. The only upside to getting a physical copy is that if you get the Asian one it comes with English instructions.