Pandemic Shopping Review: Tenshi Shop + Yamato Shipping – Positive!
This is just a very quick review because I noticed that not a lot of people write reviews anymore, and that’s kind of a shame. Also, everything is crazy in the land of shipping right now….
Here is the short version: Chibi Tenshi was quick, communicated well, and was proactive when it came to finding shipping alternatives during COVID19. The package was well packed, came to me swiftly (about a week from Japan to my house in the USA) and the shipping for 4 skirts, a casual jsk and a magazine and came to under $47.
I will be using the time/date stamps on my emails for the timeline. Please keep in mind that I specifically stated I wasn’t in a rush, and there is a pandemic, so this is probably not reflective of the fastest possible transaction. That said, I still think the timeline is pretty quick everything considered… especially because I missed a whole email…
Also, as I was writing this, I originally put all of the actual emails we exchanged in here but then I had second thoughts about maybe that being kind of creepy since it’s really a 1-on-1 kind of email correspondence? So, aside from the final message with the shipping info, I’ve gone back and summarized instead.
Thu 4/23/2020 10:08 PM
Sent in my shopping service order.
Special Shipping Instructions:
I normally do EMS, but I understand these are strange times. I’m open to whatever works best for you. I don’t want to make you hold it, if you don’t have space, so really… whatever makes the most sense? I’m not in a rush.
Links to Items / Item Information:
https://www.mercari.com/jp/items/m24417277289/
https://www.mercari.com/jp/items/m31493445802/
https://www.mercari.com/jp/items/m56435890087/
https://www.mercari.com/jp/items/m14407714977/
https://www.mercari.com/jp/items/m76853456781/
https://www.mercari.com/jp/items/m65614136078/
This in Black x White:
https://www.maxicimam.com/?pid=25456083
Additional Information:
I’m not in a rush, I just figured some of these things won’t stick around long enough for shipping to be back to normal.
Hope you are doing well.
Thu 4/23/2020 11:34 PM
Got a reply back, everything is good. She lets me know that she bought all the items and suggests tracked/insured surface mail
Fri 4/24/2020 1:38 PM
I replied back to her: Thank you so much! I think that shipping method would be fine :3
Mon 4/27/2020 8:52 PM
I get a reply back that the MAM cutsew I wanted was out of stock. Not her fault at all, things happen, and it was on clearance and it’s a pandemic.
And then she also let me know that she was looking in to a new shipping company: Yamato. It’s more expensive than EMS, but cheaper than DHL. Time is similar to EMS. She said she would do a test run with a few packages and get back to me.
Wed 4/29/2020 2:05 PM
I replied back letting her know I was fine with the shipping and the sold out item.
Thu 4/30/2020 10:07 PM
…and here is where I screwed up. She invoiced me, and I missed it. This is 100% on me and this does slow things down. I was the bad customer D: D: D:
She also let me know that she was going to use Yamato shipping and it was included in the invoice.
Tue 5/5/2020 3:29 AM
She wrote me a very professional and kind email nudging me about the payment which was now past due
Tue 5/5/2020 3:42 PM
I see the past due email.
Internal monologue: Oh no asdjkfhgsdjkhfjkhsdjkfhsdkhfsdjkfh!!!!!!!!!! @______@!!!!
oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! I totally missed your email D:
I’ve paid the invoice. I’m so sorry about the delay.
I hope you have a good day and again, I’m so sorry about the late payment D:
Here is the invoice. Very tidy and well organized, and you can get an idea for the shipping fee here as well:
Tue 5/5/2020 8:44 PM
She replies, the picture of grace and professionalism and thanks me for the payment.
Sat 5/9/2020 7:48 AM
My package ships with Yamato.
Hi,
Your package has been shipped via Yamato Transport.
Tracking is here: http://track.kuronekoyamato.co.jp/english/tracking
Tracking number: [Tracking Number was Here]
It will take 6-10 business days to arrive, but could be a little longer due to COVID19 related delays. The tracking will update first as it moves through Japan, then when it leaves Japan, a button saying “Detail” will appear on the page. Clicking that button will give you updates as it moves abroad towards its destination. You are in my second batch of Yamato shipments! Thank you for using this service. Once it arrives, if you would like to tell me how it went, please feel free to drop me a message, and I can use this information to inform my other shoppers.
My package starts it’s journey…..
By the way, this is the “light” version of the tracking, you can click a button that shows every stop along the way to your house. I just didn’t want to post where I live…
Thu 5/14/2020
Package arrives safe and sound. Have you all seen the logo for Yamato?
I’m not answering the door for packages because my post person just leaves them on the step for COVID19. So, I can’t actually say for sure that my package wasn’t delivered by a large cat. I’d like to imagine it was. It wasn’t beat up at all, one of the best condition boxes I’ve gotten from overseas.
Sat 5/16/2020
I opened the package a couple days after it arrived because that’s just what I’ve been doing in our COVID19 infected world.
Inside there was a handwritten note on abilliatage note paper
The box was expertly packed so that everything took up the minimal amount of room. I personally really appreciate this kind of packing. I feel like it keeps things from rattling around and really helps reduce the postal costs by keeping the package sizes smaller.
Each item was security wrapped in plastic. It appeared to be from the original seller, though any outer packaging had been opened / removed in the checking process (this is also good, it means that there is less chance of dirty packaging messing up everything, or the wrong item being sent).
Here is what I ordered. An old school skirt from Metamorphose. Check out that built in petticoat and the lace!
A black Maxicimam JSK with a fruit and floral print. This was ¥7,200. I assumed this would be pretty forgiving in size, but I was wrong. This is more like a Japanese size S/M, even with the full shirring. I’m giving it to my girlfriend for casual wear.
A putumayo skirt and apron set. This was ¥1,999 and had some very significant nail polish staining on it. I bought it for the apron thinking the skirt would likely be a loss, but I think I might actually salvage it. I’ll be making a blog post soon with some before and after images and some info about how I saved it.
A metamorphose dot tulle underskirt, which was only ¥2,500. I’m really excited to layer this under some other things. It’s very light weight and nice.
This beautiful old school maxicimam skirt, which was only ¥5,000 and has some of the nicest lace I’ve ever seen.
And lastly, the actual treasure I was most afraid to miss. This is an issue of MILK’s magazine, Milk bar from the 1990s. It was ¥1,290, which is a little pricey given the condition, but it is under cover price, so, I went for it.
Final verdict? I’m really happy with the service provided by tenshi shop, and I’m very happy with Yamato shipping. I would definitely use both again, and if you have the option to use Yamato shipping during the pandemic, I say, go for it!
You can find Chibi Tenshi / Tenshi shop at: https://tenshishop.com/
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