MKT_Gundam wrote:I always thought the Japanese had the utmost care in packaging. A friend of mine always buys something form jp and always comes well packed.
Generally I have found that to be true. The stuff I've gotten from Japan is consistently in better condition, more complete, and packaged way better than an equivalent purchase from the US (or anywhere else really.)
Case in point... about a year ago, I decided that I had too much spare room and cash for my liking, so I picked up the Japanese Famicom and Super Famicom Mini consoles, and then decided it would be fun to have the original Famicom and Super Famicom boxed systems as well. (I think partially because I bought a Famicom Disk System in the box -- I wasn't really looking for a boxed one, it just happened to be a good deal.) Not only did the boxes arrive in good condition, but there was still original packing material in them (individual plastic bags, addendum paperwork, etc.), and in one case, a receipt.
That said, I did end up scoring a boxed NES with ROB, zapper, and boxed SMB, Duck Hunt, and Gyromite, in nearly pristine condition, for around $300. The seller did a great job of packing that one. So it can happen, but the Japanese stuff is consistently easier to find and cheaper. I think Americans, in general, treat their stuff as more disposable. I know I tore through the packaging and treated that stuff as toys back then.