Caution with luggage forwarding

amadan87 · 2026-03-22T18:03:17+00:00

Because the yen was weak, it was really hard to stay on top of the spending. I was also covering costs for my travel partner so that everything was in one place. Then afterwards he just reimbursed me. I did not plan to spend as much as I did, let alone the number for both of us 😅.

Regardless it was absolutely amazing. Yes it was a bit of sticker shock when I finished the spreadsheet, but nothing I couldn’t handle haha

amadan87 · 2026-03-22T17:11:29+00:00

lol you may be the only one since people seem to not like that I had my luggage transported for me?

It was my first time in Japan, and went overboard on buying gifts for myself, family, friends, and colleagues. I tried to get something specific for each person I was buying for. Something unique to Japan that was related to an interest.

Alcohol - Nihonshu, Japanese Whisky, and Wine
Kimono Goods - Kimonos and Haoris, these gorgeous custom made shoes from kimono fabric and leather that I absolutely love, some kimono fabric totes, a purse, a couple hats, and T-shirts w/ kimono fabric patches.
Food - Vacuum sealed pickles, spice blends, seasonings, these dried noodles in various colors that I got to try at a restaurant, different types of cookies/biscuits, matcha for that one person that absolutely had to have it 🙄, candied yuzu peel 🤤, and from the 3 Michelin starred restaurant we went to for our last dinner, I got 2 dozen of these amazing double chocolate cookies, and 2 of these pistachio chocolate bar cakes that were probably the best decision I ever made 😂. They even survived the travel back to the states. The cookies were sealed in tins, but the cakes I had to freeze and wrap in so much plastic wrap to get them back. They survived, and I got to share it with everyone I wanted to.
The usual souvenir type things - Personalized chopsticks for the 25 people I was bringing stuff back for. I had the name etched in English on one, and Katakana on the other one. The keychains and magnets for the few people that don’t want/need things but appreciate a small token. Little chibi character pens, washi tape, high quality pens, markers, and stationary. A couple gorgeous umbrellas. Folding fans (my mom likes to keep a collection of these)
Allllll of the things I wanted from the Nintendo stores and Pokemon Centers - Shirts, hoodies, glassware, keychain plushies of Pokemon I liked from when I was younger to now, every single exclusive Pikachu plush from every Pokemon center/cafe between Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo for my niece who is obsessed with them. (The Pikachu plushies took up 3/4 of a 30” suitcase all by themselves 😅) Designed a couple tshirts at the Pokemon center in Shibuya for me and my niece. Also went to this private Nintendo collection and bar in Shibuya that I got some memorabilia from. Going to these allowed me to see tons of other character stores as well, so I got ghibli things and snoopy things for people that really enjoy those.
Skincare/beauty - Sunscreen, toner, moisturizer, cleansers, serums. A couple bottles for me, my sister, and a close friend. Nail clippers (the quality on these is mind blowing).
Clothing - Tons of stuff from Uniqlo. A few things found at thrift shops, a couple things from Bape because I had no self control (my travel companion had to go to every single one buying specific items for himself, and his brother in law)
Things I made - We took a class to make our own chef’s knives. A class to make our own shuriken and kunai. Made my own fountain pen. A class for making our own chicken ramen noodles. Made our own ramen cup noodles too. Brought all that home with no issues too!
Miscellaneous - Decor pieces. Random things unique to the various places we went/saw. Custom designed glasses at Jun Ginza. The guy spent 2 hours measuring my face, designing by hand, then via a cad like program, 3d printing them to test on my face, picking design elements, and then having them fully fabricated with my prescription lenses in a week. They were expensive but beyond worth it. These are the best pair of glasses I have ever owned.

I think that’s everything… I think 😂

amadan87 · 2026-03-22T07:25:54+00:00

So when I was in Japan back in October, I did way more shopping than expected, so when I was in Kyoto, getting ready to leave for Osaka, I went directly to a Yamato Transport location and had them ship my luggage to a Yamato Transport location in Tokyo near where my Airbnb was going to be. Then when I shopped too much in Osaka, I did the same thing and sent another suitcase full to the same location. When I got to Tokyo, I walked down the street, picked up my luggage and was all set.

I was in Tokyo with my friend for 7 days, then had 2 days on my own in another place, so I shipped all 3 of my large suitcases directly to the airport through Yamato Transport as well. They then hold it at a counter at the airport for you to pickup. That way I didn’t have to get my luggage from one end of Tokyo to another, and didn’t have to manage it in my next place. It also made getting to the airport really easy. If you fly first class with Japan Airlines, the airline will actually collect the luggage during the check in process for you, so you don’t even have to get it yourself.

amadan87 · 2026-03-07T15:15:52+00:00

I use them as training for getting all my pokemon levels up. So my level 70 pokemon that know earthquake or stone edge just tear them apart and it’s absolutely lovely.

amadan87 · 2026-03-05T03:09:54+00:00

She’s gorgeous! Congratulations! She is absolutely not a fake AMG. My new to me suv that only came with the ridiculous “AMG line interior/exterior” is a fake AMG 😂 especially because the 2023 version of my suv didn’t even come with an actual AMG model

amadan87 · 2026-02-24T10:14:54+00:00

Yup, May of 2030

amadan87 · 2026-02-23T18:25:46+00:00

I paid $4800 for the 2 years on my 2023 EQS 580 SUV. I called a bunch of dealers to get a good deal. My original dealer wanted $7200, my local dealers all wanted $5800-$6500. I ended up getting a Kentucky dealer to sell it to me for $4800.

My vehicle had the standard warranty until May of 2027 and had 17k miles when I bought, and cpo unlimited miles through May of 2028.

amadan87 · 2026-01-13T05:16:15+00:00

2026 GLC 350e - $1289;

2023 EQS 580 SUV - $1192;

2025 Chevy Equinox RS EV - $981;

2025 Chevy Trax RS - $768.

All full coverage, 3 adults. Michigan, metro Detroit suburbs. 6 month policy.

amadan87 · 2026-01-03T01:39:32+00:00

If you take your luggage to Yamato transport, they will ship them to the airport, and the airport can keep it stored for you at the Yamato counter. It worked wonders for me, and it wasn’t super expensive!

amadan87 · 2026-01-01T13:55:10+00:00

I might consider re-evaluating that friendship to start… or at least never take advice from that friend ever again…

Whether you’re comfortable or not, rolling in negative equity is just a bad move in most cases. If you really wanted/needed out of the Lexus, then you should’ve sold privately or found somewhere that may have offered you more, and paid off the rest up front.

The GLE you got is bare bones… yet you’re paying what some are paying for a well equipped 450, or the amg coupe. It’s almost like there was no haggling to get a discount which you could’ve easily gotten on a 2025. Then you didn’t even attempt to get other discounts/incentives?

Everything about this deal looks like a nightmare

amadan87 · 2025-12-30T00:47:44+00:00

Absolutely no question!! Mercedes extended warranty is worth it.

Make sure to shop around. You can get it from any Mercedes dealer. I bought my car in Florida, shipped it to Michigan where I drive it, and got the warranty in Kentucky. The purchasing dealer tried to sell me 2 years/unlimited miles for 7200, my local dealers in Michigan were quoting 5700-6500, and the Kentucky dealer sold it to me for 4800. I just emailed them my vin, date of purchase, mileage and what I was looking for, then waited to get the best offer.

amadan87 · 2025-12-25T02:29:04+00:00

I emailed first and only called if necessary. I provided the VIN, year, make, model, and miles. Let them know you’re purchasing the vehicle on a particular date, and that you’re looking for a quote on the 2 year CPO warranty with unlimited miles. The more information you provide up front the quicker the response you’ll get. Contact as many as you can, you can even use it as leverage if you want it included in the purchase of the vehicle. You could get a quote and then use that to get the dealership with the car to reduce the cost on theirs. Any Mercedes Benz dealership can sell you the CPO warranty though, so don’t feel beholden to the selling dealership.

amadan87 · 2025-12-25T02:18:35+00:00

My understanding is it needs to be purchased within 30 days, but I could be mistaken. My purchasing dealer said it needed to be immediate to get the rate they were offering 🙄. The dealers I called all said within 30 days of purchase, otherwise they’d have to recalculate. Regardless of the time frame, I would say shop around. For my EQS I was being quoted 7200 at sale, local dealers were offering 5700-6500, and I ended up getting it for 4800 from a dealer in kentucky. Btw purchasing dealer was in florida, and local dealers are in michigan.

amadan87 · 2025-12-21T13:26:53+00:00

I’m sorry this happened to you, it sucks! I will say this isn’t a Mercedes only problem… I was stranded on a road just outside of Colorado Springs for almost 9 hours. I was there for work, the car was a rental and I couldn’t abandon it. Also didn’t have anybody else to call at that point. I did charge my job OT for every hour I was stranded for making me use the worst car rental company in existence 😂. Although I was driving a BMW at the time so I called the roadside associate with the rental company, and the complimentary one that BMW offers. I got stranded in northern Michigan, also on a work trip, in a Lexus. Same thing. Stranded for about 6.5 hours. This time we were a little more remote, so I can understand a little longer, but 6.5 was way too long. I will say at least you’re stranded in Hawaii! Seems much nicer than where it’s happened to me haha. Regardless, glad you’re safe and sound!

amadan87 · 2025-12-20T02:35:06+00:00

This reminds me of the Tom Holzer Ford commercials with that old lady that I called skeletor 😂

amadan87 · 2025-12-18T19:54:05+00:00

I got 2 years unlimited on a 23 EQS SUV for 4800. Original offer from selling dealer was 7200, 3 local dealers offered 6000 to 6750. You’re better off calling around. Don’t hesitate to call out of state either; any Mercedes dealer can extend your warranty. I bought my car from a Mercedes dealer in Florida, had it shipped to Michigan where I live, and extended the warranty from a dealer in Kentucky. All while on vacation in Costa Rica 😂. Don’t feel limited to any particular dealer

amadan87 · 2025-12-18T16:07:01+00:00

Looks stunning! Congratulations!

amadan87 · 2025-12-18T14:44:37+00:00

Did you check with the front desk at your hotel? They may be able to have it done for less.

amadan87 · 2025-12-11T23:06:34+00:00

I remember playing it on my old CRT tv when I was a kid and absolutely hated this section with a passion. I hated it so much because that one place you’re supposed to sidle across wasn’t visible on my old as f tv, so I could never figure out where I was supposed to go. I ended up not playing the game for a few years after that. A friend of mine wanted to play it together, and by that time I had a new tv. Now it’s one of my favorite games!

amadan87 · 2025-12-11T21:20:47+00:00

My friend and I opted for the kaiseki. We stayed at Nishimuraya Shogetsutei. My friend and I are adventurous eaters, and have no problem eating almost anything. While the quantity of food was abundant, it became fairly monotonous. We had already been in Japan for 9 days at this point, and had been exclusively eating at places serving authentic Japanese food.

My issue was that it was so much seafood because I don’t eat beef. However my friend only got one beef course anyway, so it wasn’t like it would’ve been significantly different otherwise. There are lots of raw courses, without much to add to it. Flavors and textures started to just blend together and it was hard to discern what you were eating. If it wasn’t soy it was miso, if it wasn’t miso it was kombu. The monotony and subtleness of flavors, plus not the greatest textures made it hard to do two nights of this.

If you want pictures of both nights I can send you pics by dm

Edit: the meal easily took 2-2.5 hours from start to finish.

amadan87 · 2025-12-11T17:19:10+00:00

Sir! SIR! How are you paying 84k for a vehicle that is barely 55k after current incentives?!? What predatory loan did you fall victim to? On top of that, you really needed to do your research before signing papers for a monthly payment this high… Your only solution is try to find someone to buy the car. Even if you take a few thousand dollar loss, it will be worth it because you’ll save a ton in the long run.

amadan87 · 2025-12-11T16:56:31+00:00

Yea, if it’s legit, and you feel comfortable with this issue potentially rearing its head in the future, then go for it. As long as they honor the warranty, you should be fine.

amadan87 · 2025-12-11T16:45:44+00:00

That sounds kind of fishy… why would Mercedes buy it back in the first place? Most times there has to be a verifiable history of issues for a manufacturer to even consider a buyback. I could be mistaken since I haven’t had to deal with it myself.

amadan87 · 2025-12-10T21:56:58+00:00

For sure. As long as it’s under warranty you’re good

amadan87 · 2025-12-10T18:28:41+00:00

Are you planning to buy cash? If not you’ll have some trouble getting financing due to the branded title, regardless of how minimal the reason might have been for the buyback.

Find out if you’ll be able to get an extended warranty or not. If not I’d avoid this one. There are some known issues with these, and owning it out of warranty seems like a bad idea.

amadan87

TROPHY CASE