Online stores comparison: Where to buy Japanese CD/DVD?

I haven’t seen any this season’s anime episodes because, as you might know, my internet connection runs slower than Yamabuki Art’s headmaster. Well, at least that also means I got more time to finish a shitload of manga, fix my cosplay costumes, and sort my (unrealistic) shopping list for next month’s Japan trip.

Anyway, I tried to list out a comparison of online stores I’ve been using to waste my paychecks buy Japanese CD/DVD. I’m that bored. Please note that the list is based on my experience and preference. Ratings are out of 5.

1. CDJapan

+ The only store that guarantees you a first-press edition with bonuses
+ Ship pre-orders before the release date
+ Detailed item information (track list, sometimes with samples)
+ Use your own affiliate link (awesome!)
+ Use bubble-wrap in a box and treat posters nicely
+ Comprehensive listing of old and new stuffs
+ Count towards Oricon chart
- Expensive shipping, I think it’s including handling fee.
- Rarely on sale.. and if they do, most of them are useless stuffs

Point system:
Earn 3% of item price subtotal as points (3 pts every 100 yen)
Extra 30% of the points for large order more than 10,000yen.
Applied in small units of 100 points = 100yen, you can use it faster.

Current events:
- Coupon campaign
- DVD and CD clearance sale

My rating:
My first choice for new stuffs because I prefer limited crap to good food. Only 4 Chikas given because it’s still expensive.

2. HMV Japan

+ Delicious special offers: Multi-buys or bungee price
+ Low “HMV price” that applies to old/new stuffs randomly
+ Cheaper EMS shipping, but not boxed
+ Detailed item information (track list, sometimes with samples)
+ Comprehensive listing of old and new stuffs
+ Count towards Oricon chart
- At risk of getting broken CD cases
- They fold posters! IF you’re lucky enough to get them
- Yep, no guarantee on first-press
- EMS only for international shipping

Point system:
1 point worths 500yen.
Redeem value: 50 pts for 1,000yen and 100 pts for 2,500yen.
Spend about 25,000yen for 50 pts = 4 pts every 100yen
Spend about 50,000yen for 100 pts = 5 pts every 100yen
A better deal than CDJapan, but it takes longer to use them. There are double-point offers, but no points earned from priced-down items.

Current events:
- The list is too long
- 2 Music DVDs at 25% off campaign is awesome

My rating:
I’m a girl. I buy things I don’t need just because they are on sale.
And I’d give another loli if they can let me use boxes.

3. Play-Asia

+ “$10 off $50″ coupons
+ One “$5 off $50″ coupon arrives with your order
+ Cheaper shipping fee since it’s Hong Kong based
+ Sell Hong Kong versions (half-price cheaper, but I never bothered)
- Don’t even think about first-press edition, unless you’re lucky
- (Almost) no stock for things older than 2004
- Terrible search system and item details
- Do NOT count towards Oricon chart
- No point system

Current events:
- Summer Sale 25% ends today. Don’t worry, it’s worse than CDJ sale.
- Make one “$10 off $50″ coupon per 5 junk posts per month in StrikeBang forum

My rating:
The coupons are godsent. But I never buy anything new here because I still like the sound of “Oricon +1″.

4. Amazon Japan

+ Discount for new items
+ Still have a fresh copy of old stuffs
+ If they don’t, private sellers might have it.
+ Count towards Oricon chart
- Unreasonable shipping and handling fee, srsly
- No guarantee on first-press
- Some private sellers set crazy price and might be unreliable

Point system:
1 point equals 1 pts. Normally you earn 1% per CD (1 pts every 100yen). No points from discounted live DVD.
Although users can apply any amount anytime, it’s so little and useless I don’t even care.

My rating:
Except for seiyuu magazines, no.

5. YesAsia

+ Free international shipping (airmail only)
+ Sell Hong Kong and Korean versions
+ Comprehensive listing of old and new stuffs
+ Detailed item information
- Higher item price, maybe because they add the shipping fee to it? –;
- Very slow processing, exceed the promised date.. I even forgot that I ordered the thing.
- Do NOT count towards Oricon chart
- No point system

My rating:
Only if I’m really desperate.