dukenukem4ever
Distinguished Member
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2019
- Messages
- 1,185
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- 879
Walked into a Trading Post in Ginza several weeks back. They have C&J, Carmina, Allen Edmonds, G&G (within a glass enclosure), and some other lesser known brands in stock. However, the prices scared the s**t out of me. Inherently, I knew none of them were worth what they were selling for if only because one can procure them direct from the shoemakers or from other outlets and avoid import taxes if sent to US or HK (for me, at least). For example, there is a 10% consumption tax rate in Japan; a pair of C&J Alex Wholecut oxfords were in the range of 92,000 JPY (that's about 810 ~ 820 USD depending on the day's exchange rates) after tax. The Carmina prices were also heavily inflated, with models that usually cost around 400 USD coming in closer to 700 USD or so. I guess that's why using Mercari in Japan one can find many used, good condition Carmina / C&J / Alden etc. but prices will still come in close to retail if one were to buy direct from the shoemaker itself.
Tried on a few pairs of shoes, and left without buying anything. Won't be buying any foreign brand name shoes in Japan.
Tried on a few pairs of shoes, and left without buying anything. Won't be buying any foreign brand name shoes in Japan.