Date |
My
Comments |
Mike's
Comments |
23/07/00 |
Sent queries out to
several Japanese suppliers for no earlier than a 1995 model |
|
25/07/00 |
Received first
reply from Angel Motors Japan. Quote looks very competitive. Will ask for quote on newer
models. |
Here at Angel
Motors Japan we receive a number of quotation requests on Japanese vehicles each month. We
do try to be prompt with our responses hopefully within 48 hours. |
26/07/00 |
Got another prompt
reply from Angel Motors, 96 & 97 models more than I want to spend. He supplies good
explanations. |
On the Estima
Diesel models, there was a big model change in 1996 onwards, ABS & SRS Air Bags became
standard and there were changes in the front & rear light panels. So this explains the
higher quotes for Estima models from 1996. I believe best value can be found on a 1995
model unless you do have a budget for a 1996 or 1997. Last year for a Turbo Diesel Estima
here in Japan is a 1998 model. |
27/07/00 |
Clarifying spec. of
Estimas. Like his attitude, but can I trust foreign dealers? |
We do try to be
completely honest & straight with our buyers and develop good communication to be
clear, as we do want our clients to be satisfied & for return business. |
28/07/00 |
Got e-mail about
his business, he does seem genuine. Checked bank detail from the web site. All OK. He does
seem to know his stuff about Estimas, more than the bloody dealers here. Has offered trip
to Japan, would love to go, but not with my daughter so young. We have decided to go
with AMJ, the other companies just don't seem so efficient.
Have arranged transfer of monies. Will be doing the importing myself, something new.
Have contacted companies in Southampton - very helpful. |
We are very
thankful for Paul to have chosen our company to buy & ship his car. It is commendable
for Paul to handle all import arrangements on his own and write about it in his site for
all others to benefit from. |
01/08/00 |
Mike has given me
copyright to any material he sends me for the website. Have received Purchase Order
Invoice, but want to change spec.
Mike has kindly agreed to provide some more digital pictures, they should provide an
excellent angle on the website. He will also accept a signed electronic copy of the
invoice. |
We have been
happy to assist Paul with his site in any way we can to help UK buyers become better
informed on the Japan Estima model. The Estima has been our family car of choice, but we
find to hard to hold on to one as we always find someone that want to buy it. Ha! Here in
Japan we also sell much lower than other Japan dealers do, so our prices are attractive. |
03/08/00 |
Mike has clarified
position on some of the specs. Looks like I'll have to do without ABS. Photos provided are
really good, as is narrative. Still want further amendments to the spec. and invoice -
are we being too fussy?
My wife went to bank to arrange telegraphic transfer of deposit.
Sent signed electronic copy of invoice. |
Through our
experience together, Paul learned about being open on his colours, specs and requirements
which did make it easier to find the right vehicle. In the end though we did find one with
most of the specs he wanted. |
04/08/00 |
Mike did not get
copy of invoice through. Have sent different types of file - zipped and scanned, hope
these work!
Mike has received both copies of invoice, thank goodness |
|
08/08/00 |
Got excellent
description of reason for Lucida & Emina, seems logical. |
|
09/08/00 |
Mike has received
deposit and sent receipt, has also sent photos - again they're excellent. |
|
10/08/00 |
Mike has answered
query on switch labelled in Japanese - rear heat priority!! - how many people will know
that? Seems to be some confusion with the spec. we wanted a high roof model, now Mike
wants to know if we want a J-Top - I think these are the same?? Have attempted to clarify.
Looks like we'll have to be patient, a Japanese holiday is looming, and the auctions
will be down until end of August. |
Just after Paul
had ordered his vehicle was a big Japanese Summer holiday in August, so auctions were
closed. From Christmas to just after New Years auctions are also closed. |
18/08/00 |
Sent e-mail to Mike
to see how things are going Mike replies saying that he wants to phone me, as he has
some ideas/proposals - what can these be?
Have given him details of my father's number or to wait until we get home as we are
having a weekend break.. Glad I brought my handheld PC down with me. |
After
communicating with our UK buyers we feel the need to have phone communication with each to
better understand their requirements prior to purchasing. |
19/08/00 |
Mike phoned me, to
discuss, requirements, timescales etc., I think we have been too strict in our
requirements. Went through them with Mike saying what we can and can't do without. I'm
hopeful now of getting an Estima in a couple of weeks |
|
01/09/00 |
Mike sent an
update. Looks like we'll have to do without the j-top. My wife not happy, still if we want
one soon I guess we'll have to go without that one. At least the Auctions are back up and
running now. |
On the Estima
models, there is the J-Top, a concave higher glass roof model. They are not so common as
the standard roof model and thus do make it difficult to find, especially if one has a
list of other specs & requirements. |
08/09/00 |
Mike tried to call
me at home, I think?? Mother-in-law not sure who it was, but thinks he may have mentioned
Japan. Yes it was Mike, he'd found a model that would have been acceptable - damn, if
only I hadn't said 50k miles, still I suppose I had to draw the line somewhere. Mike also
suggests widening our specs. Again, don't feel happy with this, but I suppose it's my
fault, shouldn't have been too strict. |
|
13/08/00 |
Sold our Fiat Uno -
back to the train for me! |
|
14/09/00 |
Saw some of Mike's
photos on another site, and let him know. Mike's OK with other site using his pics. And
gave an update on car situation, basically for what we want the price has gone up, @ 950K.
He's again suggesting widening our requirements to get a car quicker, but I don't want to
compromise again. Spoke to my wife at lunchtime and we both agree to extend our budget to
950K. Mike seems pleased with that, and thinks we should have a car quickly - I hope so. |
Estima prices
are not always so constant at the Japan auctions. From September to November prices tend
to be high, which is when Paul ordered. In December, we tend to see prices drop as dealers
usually sell all their old stock before the end of the year. So there are a lot more
vehicles available at that time and prices are lower than at any other time of year. Once
the new year comes in with new models, and then prices on older models become more fixed.
But Japan prices always have to do with basic supply & market demand. Recently there
was a flood in Nagoya, Japan where 100,000 vehicles were destroyed. So for the weeks after
this, used car prices in Nagoya really went up. |
19/09/00 |
Autotrade are no
longer agents for HUAL, asked Mike what happens now? Mike replies saying that I should
now contact Wainwrights.
Have contacted Wainwrights and they seem Ok, but the company they put me in touch with
for the SVA seem like a bunch of cowboys - no way am I going to use them!! |
Autotrade now
works with the Hyundai Group Car carrier Fleet called Yuwa. Their combined service company
is called YuwAutotrade located in Southampton. Anyone who intends to have Autotrade do
their modifications' work & SVA test has to have vehicle shipped on the Yuwa shipping
line from Japan. |
21/09/00 |
Mike rang me in the
night, from inside a car at the car auction on his mobile, which meets our specs and VERY
low mileage and turquoise, couldn't sleep much after the call - guess I'm still a kid at
heart. Got e-mail from Mike, we didn't get the car, in fact no-one bought it, he said it
might be available next week, lets hope so.
My wife and I have tried to simplify our requirements, this must speed things up now. |
|
22/09/00 |
Mike asks if we
would go to a 94 L at a lower price. I've agreed, but hope it doesn't transpire.
Pound has plummeted against the yen, to stay in budget, I've asked Mike to drop the max
to 900K, don't like mucking him about chopping and changing again |
|
27/09/00 |
Mike phoned again
in the night, he'd found another possible, but it sold for too much - very frustrating
this! |
|
29/09/00 |
Mike has found 3
possibles this week, but all went for more than our budget. During the phone call with
Mike, I picked up on something that didn't click immediately. After checking with Mike
later, I realised I had cocked up my calculations!! Can't believe it I checked them so
many times, bloody idiot. Still it's good news really, as this means we are able to extend
our budget to a million yen - more than our original quote, but if we can get a nice model
it'll be worth it. I feel we're mucking around with our requirements a bit too much, we're
getting desperate! |
We are sorry to
have caused Paul & his wife so much anxiety like this. From our side we mainly wanted
to give regular reporting on our weekly trips to auctions. |
05/10/00 |
Mike phoned again
this morning, with another possibility - sounds good, he mentioned that a body panel had
been replaced by Toyota, I wonder if this makes it an accident repair grade? Also a mark
on the dash about "the size of a silver dollar" that's no problem. Mike sounds
more hopeful on this one somehow. Got it!!!!! Photos arriving tomorrow. |
|
06/10/00 |
Received photos, we
both like the colour, have seen a few here so know what it's like. Funny after all our
chopping and changing we got most of what we originally specified. Left work early to
arrange for telegraphic transfer of balance to Mike. |
|
09/10/00 |
Went to the
Imported Car Show, not as good as hoped, only one Estima and not in great condition, but
met Ian Jacobs of Autotrade. He will still be able to process my import for me and do all
the SVA bits - feel very good about this, they seem quite professional. Also gave Ian AMJ
details, as he would like to contact Mike. |
|
10/10/00 |
Sorted out some
quotes for insurance |
|
11/10/00 |
Received 3 more
photos from Mike, it's starting to sink in that we've finally got what we wanted. Mike
also said he'd received the balance, and that we should receive documentation about the
3rd week of the month after the vessel has sailed. |
|
13/10/00 |
Mike sent some
better photos from where he left the vehicle for loading. The vehicle is serviced and had
the bush replaced. |
For our personal
import clients we try to have their vehicles given a service check prior to shipping
including oil change, new element * new power steering fluid. We did this with Paul's
vehicle and spent time repairing a part related to the air con unit. Hopefully he will not
need a service check for at least 6 months. |
24/10/00 |
Mike confirmed that
the car is enroute, and that he will be sending the documentation by 30/10. He also said
that he'd established relations with YuwAutotrade, and has some queries about exporting to
the UK next year. Nice to be able to help him for a change! |
We are thankful
for Paul's kind assistance in obtaining all the latest information in importing vehicles
to the UK. |
25/10/00 |
Sent Mike some
info. On UK regulations |
|
26/10/00 |
Asked Mike if he
would write a little something for UKTES regarding my sale from his point of view, should
make interesting reading from a different angle. |
This is it! |
30/10/00 |
Phoned Wainwrights
for ETA of HUAL Tribute, they said at the moment 22/11. |
|
31/10/00 |
Mike has despatched
documents. Have told Mike that any planned changes to regulations next year will not
affect independent imports. Mike seems quite pleased with this news. |
Approximately a
week after we ship a UK buyer's vehicle, we receive some of the export documents from the
Japan Freight agent. We add other documents from our company and then send to each UK
consignee. All cars we ship also have marine insurance against loss or theft. |
03/11/00 |
Received documents
- bit of a query on Bill of Lading on size of vehicle. Nothing Mike can do regarding
Bill of Lading, but some "savings" were made elsewhere, so I'll settle on that.
Scanned all documents, so I can keep good copies. |
|