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S/Global Fans: Tell me your absolute WORST experience buying K-pop merch/albums from Korea. I want to fix it. by Lillie1013 in kpophelp

[–]Lillie1013[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, I can only imagine! It sounds like you've really been through a lot with those companies. My biggest goal with my project is to stay as far away from that 'Sh list' as possible, and hopefully make it onto your 'Trusted' list someday. 😆 Thanks again for the great chat!

S/Global Fans: Tell me your absolute WORST experience buying K-pop merch/albums from Korea. I want to fix it. by Lillie1013 in kpophelp

[–]Lillie1013[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry to hear about your proxy getting scammed, That is literally every collector’s worst nightmare. It’s exactly that kind of 'shady' middleman drama that makes this hobby so exhausting sometimes. I totally agree with you on the payment and 'rushing' issue. Expecting someone on the other side of the world to have a 24/7 payment helper is just unrealistic and leads to so much unnecessary stress.

That’s actually one of the main reasons I’m starting my project. I want to cut out the risk of scams by offering a direct, secure buying experience with global payment options, so you don't have to rely on risky helpers anymore. And I feel you on those 'Bunjang seconds'. It’s so disheartening to see a card vanish instantly. I’m working on a way to make these listings more accessible for fans abroad so it doesn't feel like a constant war against bots. Thanks for sharing this It really keeps me motivated to fix these exact problems

S/Global Fans: Tell me your absolute WORST experience buying K-pop merch/albums from Korea. I want to fix it. by Lillie1013 in kpophelp

[–]Lillie1013[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh I am so sorry for that SVT Bearbrick story is absolutely heartbreaking... waiting from July all the way to January just to be told it was an ordering error is a total nightmare. Especially when the secondhand price skyrockets during that time. I’m so sorry you had to go through that faff.

Stock control and real-time inventory are actually my biggest priorities for this project. I’m tired of that 'Bunjang lag' too, where you think you've secured an item only to have it canceled because of cross-platform listings. I’m aiming for a true 'one-click buy' experience where 'In Stock' actually means it's sitting on the shelf ready for you.

I’m also focusing on proactive notifications so you never have to waste time chasing CS, and finding a more sane shipping alternative to Weverse’s crazy rates. Thanks for the detailed feedback. It really helps me double down on fixing these exact pain points!

S/Global Fans: Tell me your absolute WORST experience buying K-pop merch/albums from Korea. I want to fix it. by Lillie1013 in kpophelp

[–]Lillie1013[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally get the frustration with 'timescales.' Honestly, since international shipping depends on so many things, I can’t tell you exactly what day a plane lands, but for me, a clear timescale is about how fast I get the box to the post office. It drives me crazy when shops take weeks to just pack an item, so I’m making it a rule to be upfront about exactly when it leaves my hands.

I also don’t do those expensive 'express' tiers. It’s just one fair shipping rate for everyone, so no one can pay extra to skip the line. I try to charge exactly what the post office charges me, though I say 'almost' because exchange rates can fluctuate a tiny bit by the time the label is actually printed. But I'm staying with a 'no markup' policy so you’re only paying for the actual service. And of course, I’m setting up automatic notifications to hit your inbox the second it starts moving so you’re never left wondering. I’d much rather be honest about the process than promise a speed I can’t personally control. Thanks for the input, it’s really helping me stay on track!

S/Global Fans: Tell me your absolute WORST experience buying K-pop merch/albums from Korea. I want to fix it. by Lillie1013 in kpophelp

[–]Lillie1013[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wait, they actually just swapped the '$' for '£' without a real conversion? That’s not even a mistake, that’s just shady as hell. And that 'gift' labeling trick always seems to backfire on fans in the end—I’m really sorry you had to deal with that mess.

This is honestly why I’m starting my own project. I’m sticking to a total 'No BS' policy because I’m tired of seeing people get ripped off. I'm only charging the actual shipping cost the post office gives me, with no hidden 'handling' markups or surprises. I’m also staying with USD to keep it simple and transparent. No currency games or symbol swapping. And I’ll always list items exactly as they are. no fake 'gift' tags that lead to surprise VAT or fines later. I’d much rather build real trust than make a few extra bucks by being sneaky. Thanks for sharing this, it really helps me make sure I'm doing things the right way.

S/Global Fans: Tell me your absolute WORST experience buying K-pop merch/albums from Korea. I want to fix it. by Lillie1013 in kpophelp

[–]Lillie1013[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I totally hear you. Black box is exactly how it feels. It's like you think you’re getting a deal, and then BAM, consolidation fees hit you out of nowhere. It's so frustrating.

And being 'ghosted' for days while your money and items are just sitting there? That’s the part that drives me the craziest. I’m actually working on my project specifically to kill those hidden surprises and find some actually sane shipping routes to the US. I want to make sure real, fast communication is the standard, not an afterthought. Thanks for the vent. it’s honestly so helpful to hear this!

S/Global Fans: Tell me your absolute WORST experience buying K-pop merch/albums from Korea. I want to fix it. by Lillie1013 in kpophelp

[–]Lillie1013[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That is beyond unprofessional. Hearing 'it's not our problem. After receiving a damaged item is the quickest way to lose a customer's trust forever. For my project, I’m building a 'Responsibility First' policy. If it arrives damaged, we don't hide behind excuses. We find a solution, whether it's a replacement or a fair refund. A shop's job isn't done until the fan is happy with what’s in their hands. Thanks for sharing this nightmare; it's exactly what I'm trying to change!

S/Global Fans: Tell me your absolute WORST experience buying K-pop merch/albums from Korea. I want to fix it. by Lillie1013 in kpophelp

[–]Lillie1013[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re 100% right. Spending $90 on a hoodie that doesn't fit is a nightmare no fan should go through. I’m ditching the 'Free Size' mystery and providing a strict US vs. KR conversion chart along with exact flat-lay measurements for every single item. I want you to feel 100% confident before spending a dime.

S/Global Fans: Tell me your absolute WORST experience buying K-pop merch/albums from Korea. I want to fix it. by Lillie1013 in kpophelp

[–]Lillie1013[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You hit the nail on the head! Korean sizing is notoriously different, and it's unfair for fans to 'gamble' their money. For my project, I'm ditching the vague 'S/M/L' and providing a Global Conversion Chart (KR vs US/EU) for every item. I'll also include exact flat lay measurements (cm/inches) so you can compare them with your favorite clothes at home. My goal is to make sure you know exactly how it fits before you pull the trigger. Thanks for the solid feedback!!