|
|
 Shopping for Shining
For currency conversion, I'd recommend you use the Universal Currency Converter. To translate a foreign website, I'd suggest you use Altavista's Babelfish. Please do email me if you know of any other places where Shining goods can be purchased, as I'd love to add them to this list.
Online Auctions
You are more likely to be able to find what you are looking for at an auction site, such as one of these listed below. Sometimes you'll pick up a real bargain there, other times prices can go sky high. But, no matter what the price, there's usually a good selection of items available, if you're willing to wait until the last seconds of the auction to secure your winning bid!
Auctions are often run by individuals rather than businesses, and as such you may be able to ask the seller on an international auction to mark the package as a "gift" when shipping, to save you paying import duties and taxes.
|
 Bidders replaced the old Ebay Japan, and seems to have more Shining goods available than it's predecessor - though still not a vast amount. I've never used the system, and I don't know if it is open to foreigners, but you may like to have a look at what's available. |
|
|
 I've used Ebay many times, and have had no problems so far. Be sure to check the seller's feedback and whether they'll ship internationally.
You may also be able to find some Shining items at Ebay's various country-specific sites, especially the UK, French and German sites. |
|
|
 I've used the Yahoo! USA auctions a few times. There's not usually a great deal in the way of Shining items there... and they're either at bargain prices or extortionate... there's no imbetween! Still, it's worth checking now and then. |
|
|
 Over the last year the number of Shining items at Yahoo! Hong Kong has increased, and they're generally quite low-priced. You should be able to bid here using your normal Yahoo! account, but be sure to check if the seller will ship internationally first. I've only bought here a couple of times, but have had no problems. |
|
|
 A credit card verification system is now in place, virtually shutting out all foreigners from the auctions, as the card has to be registered in Japan. If you can ask a friend in Japan to bid for you, this place is a veritable goldmine of reasonabley priced Shining items of all varieties! I believe there are also a number of companies who work as Yahoo! Japan bidders for foreigners, try searching the web for some. |
|
|
 More often than not, the sellers here will not ship internationally. But, sometimes you'll get lucky and catch a bargain. It does help if you can pay in Taiwanese dollars. Most of the items here would be of more interest to Shining Collectors, being Chinese guidebooks and the like. |
|
Online Shops
The shops listed below stock mostly either Shining books, CDs or games. For the more unusual items such as posters, collector cards, etc you will be better of trying the auction sites listed above. Note that the Smash Pack games (PC and Dreamcast) as well as current Shining releases can probably be found in most major gaming stores in the USA. However, orders through some of the links here will provide a little income for SFC through commission :)
|
| Amazon Japan Sadly, Amazon Japan will not ship internationally, so you'll need a go-between to order them for you. The items to the right which show prices are current stock, whereas those without are no longer stocked but may be found at Amazon Japan's Marketplace. |
|
|
| Amazon UK Amazon's been around on the web for many years now, and is about as reliable as they get. They've got a few interesting items available, and if you purchase them (or anything else) through these links, SFC will receive a small comission at no extra cost to you. |
|
|
| Amazon USA Amazon's been around on the web for many years now, and is about as reliable as they get. They've got a lot of Shining items available, and if you purchase them (or anything else) through these links, SFC will receive a small comission at no extra cost to you. |
|
|
| Buy Rite Video Games Over the years, BuyRite have earned themselves something of a reputation for poor customer service and generally slow delivery times. However, it seems they do usually come through in the end, and they have a very good Shining selection in stock - although they are quite expensive. |
|
|
| Computer Exchange I've heard great things about this shop, though never purchased anything there myself. They usually have some Shining titles in stock, and at reasonable prices. |
|
|
| Forbidden Planet Entertainment Formerly 'Another World', Forbidden Planet's retro range seems to have decreased over the years, but nonetheless they do have some Shining stock. |
|
|
| GAME GAME is a UK-based chain of stores, who are able to ship internationally for orders placed via their website. Their prices, as well as their shipping rates, are quite reasonable and the shop is reliable. A small commission will be paid to SFC for orders placed through these links. |
|
|
| Game Choice Club Recommended by SFC visitor Chris McMillen, I've not shopped with them but the selection looks good and they have the Premium Disc in stock at a fantastic price. |
|
|
| Game Trading Zone A community of people who are trading or selling their games - lots of for sale ads, and wanted ads. |
|
|
| GameStop Formerly 'Funcoland', a number of Shining titles are listed here, though not all in stock. |
|
|
| Half.com Half.com is part of Ebay, but is more of a shop than an auction site. Though I've never bought through it, I've heard it's reliable. Prices vary. |
|
|
| Import Games Japan Another recommendation from SFC visitor Chris McMillen, their website may not be much to look at but their stock and prices are great. |
|
|
| Lik Sang Lik Sang have been established as an import videogames retailler for many years now. Offering great prices and free shipping, they have become one of the most popular importers on the web. Not only that, but they are now proud Sponsors of SFC - check recent SFC news articles for any new, exclusive discount codes for SFC visitors! |
|
|
| National Console Support Inc. National Console Support have been around for years, and though I've never bought from them, I hear they have excellent service. Not only do they stock some Shining titles, but also handy accessories for the Saturn, such as import adaptors. |
|
|
| Play Asia Recommended by SFC visitor Ivan Mecking, Play Asia have stock of the official Yogurt Plushie from Sega, which is no longer available via Sega Direct in Japan, as well as a number of other Shining items at great prices. They are based in Hong Kong but will ship internationally. |
|
|
| Saturn Planet Now under new management, Saturn Planet will soon be re-opening with more stock of Saturn games and accessories. I've never used them, but the site is run by a Saturn fan, for Saturn fans and I hear it is very reliable. |
|
|
| Sega Direct Unfortunately Sega Direct will only ship within Japan, but they do have some great items available if you have a way to get them imported for you. |
|
|
| Telegames Another UK-based games shop. I've purchased from Telegames several times in the past and never had any problems. Great people, good selection, if a little pricey. They also have a range of accessories and offer a region-switching service for the Saturn. |
|
|
| Video Game Centre Stock listed on the website is apparently very limited compared with their actual stock - call or email for information on specific game stock. I shall have to visit this place sometime, it's not far from me. |
|
|
| VideoGameDepot I've never shopped at VGD before, but I hear they are reliable, and they seem to frequently have some Shining games in stock at reasonable prices. Sadly, it seems they do not have as many Shining titles as they used to. |
|
|
| VideoGameImports.com Although I've never purchased from this company, they seem to have quite a large retro gaming section (new and used stock) and do appear to be legit. |
|
|
| Wolf Games An import games shop run by a gamer, for gamers. A great & regularly updated stock selection with great prices to match. |
|
|
| Working Designs Official Shining Wisdom merchandise is available from Working Designs, the company who localised the game for the US market. They only ship within the USA, but the items are all very nice and worth importing via a friend if you live elsewhere in the world! |
|
|
|
|
