Originally Posted by Spoonrobot

Here's a fun video with English subs, showing the Panasonic frameshop process in Osaka. They offer a lot of stuff that is hard to get elsewhere or not commonly seen in the USA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VKpSHB4QP4

Few things:

• If you are ordering to the United States expect the total cost to be an additional 20-25% of the base cost for the frameset. You will pay shipping to the agent and then again internationally to yourself.
• It doesn't matter what the Yen is doing relative to the Dollar as the Japanese agent will always accommodate fluctuations to their benefit or to maintain neutral footing. There isn't any simple way for the average buyer to capture advantageous forex conditions.
• Shipping has potential to be an issue. The frame is packaged for delivery through the Japanese postal service to a Japanese address, it is NOT packaged for international travel. Work with the purchasing agent to make sure the frame is extra well packed for shipment to the USA. My frame had the dropouts poking through the box and the headset damaged beyond repair from being dropped and thrown around. I was extremely lucky that my frame was not permanently damaged.
• Make sure your payment method does not incur currency conversion fees.
• My order took 8 weeks from payment to delivery.

I am very satisfied with the frameset itself but the shipping issue makes me hesitant about ordering again.