Leatherman in Japan

chrono · **on:** September 14, 2016, 06:10:25 AM

I am in Japan at the moment for a vacation trip. I went to Tokyu Hands store in Shinjuku, Tokyo yesterday to check stuffs out. Tokyu Hands stores are heaven for DIY folks. Anyway, I found some Leatherman and Vic tools on display that were interesting, especially the price structure. Just for easy calculation, 1 usd = 100 yen. Prices are in yen.
Juice XE6 about $180, Raptor $130

Signal $210

Tread SS (metric) $230, Tread DLC (metric) $290

Wave $180, ST300 (black) $150, Rebar SS $120

Micra $50, Squirt ES4 $68, REV $60, Wingman $80, Sidekick $100, Charge TTi $320

Vic Tools seems to be better priced and more in line with US prices. Notice that the Swisstool Spirit X is $96

So, both brands are imported to Japan, but how does Vic manage to maintain the price in more reasonable range than Leatherman? A $100 Sidekick cannot hold the candle for the $96 Spirit X in both build and function. And a $210 Signal?

I guess it must be the US-made and the cool look perception.

ReamerPunch · **Reply #1 on:** September 14, 2016, 07:24:57 AM

No wonder people buy stuff on-line.
It's the same story here, more or less. A Sidekick I saw was $96 AUD. About $72 USD.
A Micra is $69 AUD, so $51.65 USD. That's crazy.

captain spaulding · **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2016, 07:45:07 AM

Never seen a Tomo with designs on them like that.

chrono · **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2016, 08:37:34 AM

Quote from: ReamerPunch on September 14, 2016, 07:24:57 AM

No wonder people buy stuff on-line.
It's the same story here, more or less. A Sidekick I saw was $96 AUD. About $72 USD.
A Micra is $69 AUD, so $51.65 USD. That's crazy.

I wonder if Leatherman has any say in the retail price oversea. Surely manufacturers want to get as much money as possible, but for such high price on entry-level and light-duty tools (SK, WM, Juices...), it may deter people from wanting better stuffs.

Also, I forgot to note that the graphics on Tread boxes are cool. They have the cartoonist style instead of HD pictures. I don't know if other tools are also packed differently because they are not in the open.

Aberdrew13 · **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2016, 02:24:12 PM

The increase in prices may have to do with import/export tariffs from the respective governments.....

Poncho65 · **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2016, 03:18:50 PM

Sad to see the price hike $:-\$ You took some really great pics though

Poncho65 · **Reply #6 on:** September 14, 2016, 03:19:25 PM

It seems that you are but I hope you have a great trip

ReamerPunch · **Reply #7 on:** September 14, 2016, 03:33:05 PM

Do they stock Japanese PSTs?

Poncho65 · **Reply #8 on:** September 14, 2016, 07:41:18 PM

Quote from: ReamerPunch on September 14, 2016, 03:33:05 PM

Do they stock Japanese PSTs?

That was my first thought as well

If only

aurabattler · **Reply #9 on:** September 14, 2016, 08:21:11 PM

Well, it's better in Hong Kong.
Here the official price for Surge is HKD1170, ST300 is HKD855 but usually some smaller reputable retail stores would offer like 25-30% off. Like the surge is selling at a discounted price HKD845.... which equals to USD 108... Wasn't too bad here.

I bough the bit kit just a few days before with HKD 170,which is like around USD 22

Edit: Oh. I just found on the Vic website that a spirit x is selling at CHF126. 9600yen is far cheaper than the Swiss price. How could that be?

?

I originally planned to get a swisstool in November during my trip to Europe. Shall I ask my wife to get it instead? She is visiting Tokyo next week.... Hum........

chrono · **Reply #10 on:** September 15, 2016, 01:46:35 AM

@ Poncho: thank you. Only the flight sucks (13 hours and Delta), the people and the hospitality are great. Over here, I carry a pocket full of cash, without worrying about getting robbed. The other day, I saw a bunch of elementary kids taking the trains home from school all by themselves. It shows how safe it is over here. I just wish I could speak the language.

@aurabattler: For foreigners, many shops offer tax refund for purchase over 5,000 yen, which is 8%. I think they have the deal when you show the passport, you get 5% off. Not sure how long it lasts though.

chrono · **Reply #11 on:** September 18, 2016, 01:52:59 AM

@aurabattler: If you have your wife buy you the Vic Spirit, make sure she go to Tokyu Hands. It is probably not the only place selling it, but it is the only one I know. I wandered into a ritzy department store yesterday, and the same Vic tools were posted for about 35% more. A bit of a shock, as I was always under impression that prices of a products are usually the same everywhere in Japan.

cody6268 · **Reply #12 on:** September 18, 2016, 04:33:19 AM

That Spirit X is about $5 cheaper than it is here!

Curious about those Tomos with the designs on them--Japanese exclusives? All I've seen here in the US are solid colored Tomos.