Usagiya Setouchi Marine Blue

[gylyf]

Thank you for this great review! I've been interested in seeing a detailed review of this blue ever since Algester first posted the Usagiya list. Although I'm not a big fan of greenish blues, this one looks special. Since I'm over my ink budget for the year though (since March... ) I will add this one to next year's shopping list.

 

 

You won't regret it! (Oh, and it's good to see you around here again)

[bstnnyc]

It's good to be back!

[haruka337]

I'd assume that by the time you get an order to buy in to White Rabbit, and they contact the store, the ink will be sold out.

If one uses their forwarding service only (not the purchasing service), one can order items in real-time. I have two Rakuten accounts: one with my American address and one with my Write Rabbit address. When shops do not mail outside of Japan, I use the account with the Japanese address to order items instantaneously.

 

Due to Japanese laws governing international forwarding services, they do require a copy/scan of your ID, a bank statement (you can black-out transactions, balances and account numbers) with your name and address on it before they set-up your forwarding account number. Some may not be comfortable with this, some may be fine--took me 5 minutes to set everything up and I think it took them a day to get back to me with my forwarding account number.

 

I use my White Rabbit address all the time (not just for inks). Their notification and service is quick, but make sure that you place their domain on a "safe list" for your email. Compared to going through an intermediary for inks, (shipping included) you can save between $5 to $20 per bottle. The savings range is a bit wide due to many shop exclusive inks being priced differently. For example, Pen Gallery inks are (now) about $30+ a bottle when purchased direct, where as Usagiya inks run around $19. Other inks run more or less.

 

Keep in mind that most ink shops, now, only sell 1 of each color per purchaser--there really isn't an easy option for group buys here.

 

Hope this was helpful.

[jmccarty3]

I had seen that option, but decided it would just lead to more spending!

[conib]

If one uses their forwarding service only (not the purchasing service), one can order items in real-time. I have two Rakuten accounts: one with my American address and one with my Write Rabbit address. When shops do not mail outside of Japan, I use the account with the Japanese address to order items instantaneously.

 

Due to Japanese laws governing international forwarding services, they do require a copy/scan of your ID, a bank statement (you can black-out transactions, balances and account numbers) with your name and address on it before they set-up your forwarding account number. Some may not be comfortable with this, some may be fine--took me 5 minutes to set everything up and I think it took them a day to get back to me with my forwarding account number.

 

[...snip...]

 

Hope this was helpful.

 

Thank you haruka, your post was definitely helpful! I was able to sign up for White Rabbit's forwarding service quite easily by using your post as guidance.

 

Fortunately, in lieu of a bank statement, I was able to use a recent utility bill (which had my mailing address, service address, and surname on it).

 

-- Constance