Did any of you get this inquiry from Japan?

[jon_norstog]

This came in over the transom yesterday. Did anyone else get it? Is it for real?

"Thursday Bicycles

To Whom It May Concern:

Hello.
Our company develops, distributes, and retails custom-made bicycle frames and non-circular gears in Japan.
We have a plan to start an import agent section where Japanese customers can order custom-made frames from companies overseas through our company.
Would you please be our partner and let us sell your products in Japan?

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Masayoshi Yaguchi, CEO
Smith Co., Ltd."

[Amaro Bikes]

I did get similar one from Hong Kong, and it was for real, although they're simply asking for getting some special deal when getting a customer through their store, nothing too complicated or big numbers involved. Apart from the chance to open to new markets, they did also already work with Tyler's Fireflies, so it was an easy question to answer, yes.

In your case, I would ask what are they about, as starter the guys name and company do not appear in any online search engine, so that's probably a bad signal... but you never know. First question is if you would be interested in doing so, if yes, then make a couple of discerning questions for you to know if it's a yes or a no.

Cheers

[mothattack]

I got the one from Japan last week. Didn't follow up though, so I can't make a guess at it's validity.

[Jonathan]

I got it. I don't feel special.

[bencooper]

I got that too - the website is odd...

[steve garro]

Actually, Rick Hunter I have heard through my friend in Osaka, is selling a bunch of frames through a shop called "Circle" now - Japan is trying to be Portland bike shop wise, seriously.

USA frames are all the rage, I think Jeremy, Curtis & others are doing very well over there.

- Garro.

[rauce]

I visited the Blue Lug this spring while in Tokyo. The cabinets are packed floor to ceiling with Thomson, King, Paul, Phil and WI goodies in every colour of the rainbow, and there were all kinds of USA made frames on display. MUSA stuff is definitely in vogue.

[jon_norstog]

Well, I went 'round and 'round with them. They want to get the bikes at 50% of retail, which could work for me if I jacked my prices to current market levels (which I need to do anyway). They wanted a "sample" bike, which I said cool, long as they put down a deposit and paid the shipping. After much discussion I got this back ..

"Mr. Jon Norstog,



Thank you for always replying to our e-mail promptly.



While your products are very attractive and we believed they would sell well in Japan, we could not come up with how we can make deposits, pay for the components in advance, get the special offers on “Fallen Angel,” and especially order a sample and return it for a refund.



We are sorry that we have to end our business relationship here, but we truly appreciate your willingness to work with us.

Thank you again for taking time and considering working with us.



Sincerely,

XXXXXX

Smith Co., Ltd"

not ready for prime time yet, I guess.

jn

"Thursday"

[edoz]

Hmmm, I just got that same email.
I guess I wasn't cool enough to be in the first wave.

[Chauncey Matthews]

So did I- does that mean we're Cat 2 builders?

Hmmm, I just got that same email.
I guess I wasn't cool enough to be in the first wave.

[mmoore]

sounds like they want a free bike from everyone and then call it quits.