The "Where do I buy..." Thread

[speedyexpress48]

Originally Posted by DarkJak2050

Okay, I'm interested on getting an Infinite Stratos Doujin from this website

It's a japanese website that accepts Oversea Buyers, but there's one thing I've overlooked; Customs. I live in the US, by the way.

Exactly what are the customs in the US when it comes to doujin? Mainly ordering it from Japan.

Has anyone encountered any problems with things like this?

In case if you guys are wondering, here's a picture of the IS Doujin's cover.

Spoiler for Infinite Stratos Doujin Cover:

Thinking about Customs has got me real spooked, guys. Can I get some help on this, please?

Since federally lolicon is in a federal grey area, I'll ask; what state do you live in?

If you're in California or any other West Coast state (or getting a middleman to ship it to you through those states first), you're probably fine since lolicon is legal in those states. Some other states (mainly Vermont, New Hampshire, Colorado, and maybe Minnesota) also have clauses that require a child to exist for something to be considered child porn.

However, if you're shipping it to states like Iowa, Kansas, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, etc, you could get into huge trouble. Of course, chances of that are very, very small (even the cops have a "meh, don't care" position on this issue a lot), but I would be cautious.

The definition of "obscene material" really does depend on the state. Basically, if your state has a long history of being rather conservative with this sort of thing, I would be worried...you will likely be hit by state laws and not federal laws if busted, though to be fair, there has only been one case where charges were filed (keep in mind that this is *only* lolicon; there's plenty of cases of child porn arrests with lolicon involved, but those only happen when they suspect someone of distributing real child porn.)

[DarkJak2050]

Originally Posted by speedyexpress48

Since federally lolicon is in a federal grey area, I'll ask; what state do you live in?

If you're in California or any other West Coast state (or getting a middleman to ship it to you through those states first), you're probably fine since lolicon is legal in those states. Some other states (mainly Vermont, New Hampshire, Colorado, and maybe Minnesota) also have clauses that require a child to exist for something to be considered child porn.

However, if you're shipping it to states like Iowa, Kansas, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, etc, you could get into huge trouble. Of course, chances of that are very, very small (even the cops have a "meh, don't care" position on this issue a lot), but I would be cautious.

The definition of "obscene material" really does depend on the state. Basically, if your state has a long history of being rather conservative with this sort of thing, I would be worried...you will likely be hit by state laws and not federal laws if busted, though to be fair, there has only been one case where charges were filed (keep in mind that this is *only* lolicon; there's plenty of cases of child porn arrests with lolicon involved, but those only happen when they suspect someone of distributing real child porn.)

Are you absolutely sure about this info?

Don't BS me, man.

[speedyexpress48]

Originally Posted by DarkJak2050

Are you absolutely sure about this info?

Don't BS me, man.

I have researched this topic again and again along with the advice of legal professionals. While I won't say I'm absolutely sure about Minnesota and 99.99% sure about Colorado and Oregon (not 100% sure), if you're shipping through California...no problem. Of course, by "shipping through California" I mean to have it arrive in CA and to have someone resend it for you...which is obviously difficult. (If you live in CA...congrats.)

If you want to be 100% positive, I'll give you a warning; DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SHIP DIRECT TO FLORIDA, IOWA OR VIRGINIA. (This is definitely only if you're ultra cautious, and this is based on strict interpretation of state laws along with past cases that were similar. Only lolicon-only (definitely doesn't include cases where real CP is involved) case in US as of current happened in Iowa as a result of state law.)

Edit; Or Texas. Do not attempt to import anything fishy to Texas ever. Just not worth it.

[DarkJak2050]

Alright then.

If you're wondering what state I'm residing in, here...

[Pat123]

Concerning reshipping. I get the impression that using the US mail is riskier than using UPS or Federal Express.

Also, what a person does for a living matters, too. For example, anyone involved in public education, even as a computer technician or janitor, is liable to be fired or even jailed for having iffy material.

One case I remember is of a teacher who was fired for porn on a computer in a room she was in charge of even though a computer expert testified that the porn had been downloaded to the computer two weeks before she was hired. People can be real touchy on this matter.

Originally Posted by speedyexpress48

I have researched this topic again and again along with the advice of legal professionals. While I won't say I'm absolutely sure about Minnesota and 99.99% sure about Colorado and Oregon (not 100% sure), if you're shipping through California...no problem. Of course, by "shipping through California" I mean to have it arrive in CA and to have someone resend it for you...which is obviously difficult. (If you live in CA...congrats.)

If you want to be 100% positive, I'll give you a warning; DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SHIP DIRECT TO FLORIDA, IOWA OR VIRGINIA. (This is definitely only if you're ultra cautious, and this is based on strict interpretation of state laws along with past cases that were similar. Only lolicon-only (definitely doesn't include cases where real CP is involved) case in US as of current happened in Iowa as a result of state law.)

[speedyexpress48]

Originally Posted by Pat123

Concerning reshipping. I get the impression that using the US mail is riskier than using UPS or Federal Express.

Also, what a person does for a living matters, too. For example, anyone involved in public education, even as a computer technician or janitor, is liable to be fired or even jailed for having iffy material.

One case I remember is of a teacher who was fired for porn on a computer in a room she was in charge of even though a computer expert testified that the porn had been downloaded to the computer two weeks before she was hired. People can be real touchy on this matter.

About shipping matter using USPS than via UPS or FedEx; It is when it comes to international shipping, you might have a point, but it isn't a very significant difference. Domestically the risk is about the same. (Course, I'm not exactly an expert on this one, so feel free to rebuke )

And yes, you are correct that it is risky when dealing with public/private education...but public education is very touchy when it comes to anything that is a bit icky. A teacher from around where I used to live got fired for having a picture of her drinking wine on facebook. Not as in "drunk" but just casually drinking it in a restaurant. Either way, people in public education should know this pretty well. (And if you ship it to your house without sharing that fact to everyone you know, most likely you'll be fine.)

Anyways, that cover isn't even explicitly lolicon and those characters don't even look remotely loli, which is usually what people are worried about (I seen worse in every bookstore); such material can be found easily at almost any larger-scale anime convention. It's actually rather tame for a H-Doujin. Worst thing I can see happening is customs seizing it but not bothering to do anything else (and there's a 0.00000001% chance of that happening, I would say-same risk you take with most items that go through customs.)

[orpheus2]

I have a question. Where do I buy English translated light novels online legally? I live in the Philippines. I am planning to buy LN's next year specifically AW and possibly SAO.

[Dextro]

Originally Posted by orpheus2

I have a question. Where do I buy English translated light novels online legally? I live in the Philippines. I am planning to buy LN's next year specifically AW and possibly SAO.

I personally get most of my books out of The Book Depository. They are usually cheap and have free worldwide shipping.

[Pat123]

Hi Orphius,

You might try
http://www.kinokuniya.com/

Originally Posted by orpheus2

I have a question. Where do I buy English translated light novels online legally? I live in the Philippines. I am planning to buy LN's next year specifically AW and possibly SAO.

[speedyexpress48]

Originally Posted by orpheus2

I have a question. Where do I buy English translated light novels online legally? I live in the Philippines. I am planning to buy LN's next year specifically AW and possibly SAO.

What Pat123 said, or look on Amazon.com.

[orpheus2]

Originally Posted by Dextro

I personally get most of my books out of The Book Depository. They are usually cheap and have free worldwide shipping.

Originally Posted by Pat123

Hi Orphius,

You might try
http://www.kinokuniya.com/

Thank you for your suggestions. I really appreciate your help. Better start saving...

[Pat123]

Hi Speedyexpress,

That's a great idea!. I've had pretty good luck finding used or overstock copies of translated manga on Amazon.com.

Of course, beware of shipping and handling charges. ^_^

Originally Posted by speedyexpress48

What Pat123 said, or look on Amazon.com.

[speedyexpress48]

Originally Posted by Pat123

Hi Speedyexpress,

That's a great idea!. I've had pretty good luck finding used or overstock copies of translated manga on Amazon.com.

Of course, beware of shipping and handling charges. ^_^

Well, heck, now that you mention it, shipping light novels from America to Asia is hilariously expensive sometimes (from what I remember, it cost $40 to ship one copy of Spice and Wolf from America to Malaysia via Amazon.)

But if you're in the US, then Amazon is the best choice 99% of the time.

[delorean2200]

Hi i have a friend who wants to get Tomato man in any way possible http://anidb.net/perl-bin/animedb.pl...anime&aid=7204 does anyone have any idea where to get it ?

[DXMichael]

Hey all, does anyone know a good place (Within America or the UK) that I can buy an anime keyboard for my computer? I'm from the UK and got my last one from Amazon US a year ago, but when I check the US site is appears they have barely any at all, and the UK only have ones where there is a girl half naked over it XD

[Dextro]

Originally Posted by DXMichael

Hey all, does anyone know a good place (Within America or the UK) that I can buy an anime keyboard for my computer? I'm from the UK and got my last one from Amazon US a year ago, but when I check the US site is appears they have barely any at all, and the UK only have ones where there is a girl half naked over it XD

Have you tried Play-Asia, CDJapan, AmiAmi and the like?

[DXMichael]

Originally Posted by Dextro

Have you tried Play-Asia, CDJapan, AmiAmi and the like?

I've only heard of Amiami, I didn't know they sold items like that, i'll check that out first plus the other places you suggested, thanks

[Dextro]

Ok quick question: I was trying to find high quality K-On plush toys to give to my sister on her birthday. CDJapan and AmiAmi seem to have a few but they're Japan only apparently. Does anyone know of a reputable source for such things?

[BaronNoir]

Between Hobby JP and AMI AMI, which one would you advise ?

[allinallitsme]

so i LOVE GODKILLER .. the artwork(motion comic),the characters, the entire story line (post apocolyptic mayhem sprinkled w some thought provoking stuff).. its just amazing. but, there's one MAJOR issue.. it is broken up into 3 parts.. i own episode 1 and 2 on DVD. there has been some confusion w the 3 part movie bc episode 1 is listed asGODKILLER: WALK AMONG US: complete film DVD .. but its not. there is an episode two.. and an episode 3 that I CANNOT FIND ANYWHERE! not a stream, nada. i did finally receive an email from amazon that they have a seller who is selling it for over 3,000$! ???
i have been trying to see the final part of this movie for 4 yrs.
im hoping maybe a fellow anime fan could help me out? point me in the right direction.
BTW im not very tech savvy!
* netflix and HuLu both have ep 1 and 2 together as one movie.. but it ends w a big TO BE CONTINUED!