Quote Originally Posted by KiltedPilot View Post
I recommend all the kilt companies relocate to Japan! With Stillwater's amazing shipping, Japan Post's efficiency, and the International Date Line, Jerry will be able to deliver his kilts before you even order them.

KP
You are absolutely correct. Japan Post is just sick! I drop a letter into a box today and by tomorrow it's getting delivered on the other side of the country. No joke.

The main post office in my city for instance, is open 24/7 for sending/receiving packages. I've often been to collect a parcel after midnight.

The effeciency of the postal system makes online and mail-order shopping a really nice, viable alternative to going to the store here. Rates are very reasonable and I have everything I order within 24-48 hours. Once or twice I've even had same-day service, where I order something in the morning and it's being delivered by suppertime. (Mind you, that's usually only the case if it's coming from Tokyo, which is just 2 hours away by car).

As for what Matt was saying, around here signing for a neighbour's courier package is a strict no-no. Neither will they ever leave anything in your mailbox or on your front doorstep. They will leave a non-delivery notice but they won't let go of the package until it's in your hands and they have a hanko (personal stamp) or signature from you. As for Japan Post packages, when you go to the post office to pick them up, they ALWAYS (100% of the time) ask for photo ID and a signature.

And one other thing that we have here in Japan that North America has abandoned long time ago, is C.O.D. Whether it's Amazon, a computer company or a private auction seller, C.O.D. is a very common, very acceptable form of payment here.