BOOKOFF General Buy-Back Counter
Store Manager
Finding value while understanding the memories and nostalgia of an item
To me, I always enjoy talking about vintage watches with a customer who is using our services. As a buyer, the most important aspect to look at are whether the hands, dial and the belt of the watch are all original. Obviously, the cleaner the better, but when the watch has been handed down from generation to generation, it will have a unique aura. And if it has been kept in good condition for a long time, we could handle it just like it was new. BOOKOFF has a solid evaluation manual as well as training programs centered around our product leaders to educate and instill the manual to all our store staff members throughout the country. However, in the case of vintage items, they always have the deep attachment of the customers who have used them for a long time. Not only do we conduct proper evaluations based on such a manual, but we are also committed to finding the true value of an item by understanding the thoughts of the customers.
Doing everything we can to build trust
It is often the case that customers who come to BOOKOFF are first-time users of our buy-back service. I believe it is the responsibility of the store staff to relieve any worry that our customers may have. In my case, I am often responsible for many elderly customers and I see a reoccurring issue that they face. They wonder whether or not an article should be left behind for the next generation or just thrown away. When making preparations for their own death, they often have no one to talk to, so instead they come to BOOKOFF. And to be honest, there are items that we cannot take. In that case, I would use the knowledge I learned at the previous department I worked at before I became the store manager, and introduce such customers to our partner company that is more likely to meet their needs. If you were to think about how a customer can sell their items comfortably, it is best to widen your perspective and think about the right place for such items. I am aware of the abilities of our partner company, and as an intermediary, I will make sure to stick to the end and find the best method that our customers can be happy.
There are many things that we can do as a latecomer to this industry
When you hear about BOOKOFF, you would think of books first, but we started our buy-back business of clothing and fashion articles since 2000.
At the same time, it’s still a little less than 20 years.
Unlike other second-hand shops that have a long and established history in Japan, we are a latecomer to this industry.
In other words, since we are a latecomer, we work hard to provide better offers and do not want to lose against our competitors. So we hope you would stop by the store to give us a chance.
Personally I’ll be very happy if customers would come by just to talk to us, even if they don't bring any items to sell.
Many of the elderly customers I mentioned earlier want to donate their items instead of throwing them away. In such a case, if the items are paper material we could utilize them as recycling paper, and if they are made of cloth we could recycle at our reuse stores in Malaysia, a subsidiary of the BOOKOFF Corporation.
I would like for you to be rest assured that bringing in your items would be a contribution to society.
You don't have to bring in top name brands. We encourage you to contact us, even if you are not sure whether you could sell a particular item. We want to face our customers, listen to them, understand them, and come to find a common ground on the value of a particular item.
Store Manager
Naoki Tamamura
Message
Proposing “the right place for the right item” to satisfy our customers.
Store Manager
Yuki Saegusa
Message
Collaborate to find an appropriate “value” of an item with the customers.
Chief Manager
Meguru Nishino
Message
Create a place that can turn a customers’ worries into relief.
Chief Manager
Mika Fukuoka
Message
Through buying and selling, come closer to the customer to make their lives better.
