danjp

I got a complete refund today! I couldn't believe it. The cops rang my friend and said they had contacted the owner who promised to fix me up. I just asked for my money back and they transferred it into my account the very next day. I am very happy now.

Apparently they are a registered company but they went bankrupt at the end of last year. This means the police can't pursue a 'fraud' case against them. All you can do is write them a letter. The Police are now investigating where all the money went from their accounts (bank and post office).

Hi uggggllllyyyy Yahoo is hosting them now and Yahoo has a disclaimer stating that they are not responsible for anyone or anything that happens if you shop there. Are you thinking about visiting the warehouse?

No worries mate. I just posted the warehouse a letter (some special time-delivery thing) asking them to send me a Burton CustomX board or something instead of the gear I ordered. I don't know if I'll hear from them or not, but my Japanese friend seems to think it is the best thing to do. I've been asking all my friends if they know anyone in Saitama but no luck so far... Good luck with your car - I can imagine how much of a headache it would be! Thanks for your help. I'll post again if something arrives on my doorstep!

Hi Dougy, Thanks for the advice. I've got someone onto that website. I was toying with the idea of seeing if I could redeem my payment receipts for something else from the warehouse. I had ordered Burton pants and a jacket, and also some Oakley goggles. All up about Y53,000. I was thinking if I could get something else, maybe a board, then I might be able to re-sell it and only lose out on about 20% rather than 100% that I'm currently out-of-pocket. I'm actually leaving the country in about 8 weeks so I don't really have time to stuff around too much. Do you reckon that guy at the ware

Thanks Dougy. I've been trying to ring every number but it seems that they just don't bother answering anymore. I actually went to the cops today but I don't know if they will be able to do anything. The thing I can't believe is that the website is still up and it looks like you can still place orders and send them money... this is ridiculous. Wouldn't Yahoo (who seem to be hosting them: http://store.yahoo.co.jp/rodeomaster/ ) have some mechanism in place to stop this kind of behaviour? Dougy - I don't suppose you feel like paying the warehouse another visit on my behalf?

I have been to the local International Center here who inturn contacted some officials at the City Hall. After trying to contact the company themselves (and discovering that the rodeomaster business address on the website is not in their records), they instructed me to post a request for refund using a special mail service called Delivery Record Mail (haitatsu-kiroku-yuubin). I will enclose copies of all my paperwork and my request for a refund. If I haven't heard anything after one week, I have been instructed to go to the police. I think these officials will handle all of that so at least so

I also ordered some gear from rodeomaster but as it didn't arrive, I cancelled my order and then purchased the gear elsewhere. I paid into their postal saving account so I can't use that credit card option. Travelling to Saitama is out of the question for me, plus I don't want any gear - just a refund. Anyone have any ideas? I've tried emailing and phoning but there is never a response... Also it seems on some Japanese forums that faxing doesn't get a reply either...