Buy before I move?

[greenflash]

In planning my upcoming move I've run into questions about what to bring, what to buy, and what to pick up when I get to the island. I've planned to pick up a good amount of stuff when I arrive but two things have been in question. I'm looking to buy a new (or new to me) tri/road bike and another surfboard. I've heard that things like this are more expensive there and may not be available in the selection I'd like. So, should I get them now and send them in the pack up or can I pick them up relatively painlessly once I get there. As always your expert opinions/advice will be valued and appreciated.

[uriel]

I would suggest getting the tri-bike before you get here. Most of the ones they sell here are not the brands you would see in a high end bike shop in the states, and the ones that are the same as the ones in the states are pretty much guarenteed to be marked up about 50% at least. Can't help you on the surfboard.

[Sex Wax]

Vaccuum Cleaner Belts. If you have a vaccuum that uses belts....but some replacements. The BX here like to buy vaccums and not stock the replacements of they have the wrong ones. They have some belts for models and brands that they dont carry, or they are 25 years old. May want to pick up some extra filters and bags as well.

Printer Cartridges. The BX also likes to sell printers, then not have the replacement ink cartridges. You can sometimes find them off-base, but I would buy a supply.

[Daniela]

How about the Food Saver Bags they now don't carry?
Be ready to order anything online. I would suggest this; if you want it here, bring it. Otherwise be ready to mail order.
You get used to it and this island still rocks!

[Asshat]

And bring two plastic X mas trees, one to sell to someone at an increase and one for you.

And maybe a little weed, cuz it's expensive here.

[badkitty]

Condoms and the new KY....

[P_chan]

Wait....there is a new KY?

[Sex Wax]

Astroglide is WAY better that KY !!

http://www.astroglide.com/

[Trail]

Tae and I have been waiting for the new KY Yours+Mine to hit the selves at AAFES, but no such luck yet.

http://www.k-y.com/index_us.jsp

[TheLastDon]

The KY warming `loitions are awesome!

[kvdenman]

The Trojan condoms that comes with the mini vibrator is awesome!

[kvdenman]

DEF bring bed skirts. They don't sell any at the BX. Bring a bunch so you can sell them to the rest of us! =) Also there is barely any variety offered in curtains and bedding here.

[okinawa]

First off, do you plan to live on base or off base? Leave your furniture buy here. Buy your electronics here. Or buy old broken JVCs televisions, cheap or free, from the U.S. They will fix them here for free.

Do you have kids? Buy their clothes in the states or else they will look like half the classroom, same clothes.

Do you have any pets? Buy some full breed dogs with papers and sell them for 1k more than what you paid. Mostly minis or toy sizes.

And the most important thing, bring vacuum sealed boxes of Krispy Kreme.

[Trail]

First off, do you plan to live on base or off base? Leave your furniture buy here. Buy your electronics here.

Do you have any pets? Buy some full breed dogs with papers and sell them for 1k more than what you paid. Mostly minis or toy sizes.

Keep the furniture you like and want to keep. AF has normal weight restrictions now and it was 1/2 of normal weight when we came. We got rid of ALL of our furniture besides our bed. A year later we are slowly getting rid of the crappy government furniture. It was not worth selling all of our furniture.

As far as pets go, please do not listen to him. There is an over abundance of dogs/cats here. It's a huge problem. Don't be greedy and do the right thing.

Best of Luck!

[greenflash]

Ok so I'm ordering the bike tomorrow. I've been stockpiling rubbers, KY, and Christmas trees like a teenager with found porn. I'll spend the remainder of my time in the states in the Clark W. Griswold food additive lab creating a preservative for Krispy Kremes and the fat people who push you out of the way when the "Fresh Hot Doughnuts" sign comes on.
I'll be off base and it's just me. I'm not bringing any furniture due to the mis-explanation of the express v. regular shipments by TMO. I was hoping to pick up some nice stuff when I get there, what's the solid wood furniture market like?
I'm a fairly spartan furnishing guy anyway and the floor plans I've seen confirm that the no furniture approach will be rewarded.

[L Boogie]

If you do plan to buy furniture here, bring lots of $$. I'm not sure about off-base (though much of the furniture is miniturized), but if you buy furniture from AAFES, be prepared to pull your pants down and bend over. :scared:

You could always buy used stuff from the classifieds, though I myself don't like the idea of sitting in someone elses' ickiness.

I recommend at least getting a couch and a bed. The rest you can get here without going bankrupt.

[okinawa]

As far as pets go, please do not listen to him. There is an over abundance of dogs/cats here. It's a huge problem. Don't be greed and do the right thing.


And do you know why, theres an abundance of dogs and cats here? Its always been like that. Your in Japan, do you think the Japanese people really care about animals the way Americans do? They have enough problems of their own to worry about.

The only reason there isnt an abundance in other asian countries is because they eat cats and dogs. I hate it when Americans try to push their views in other countries i.e. Jehovas, Mormons, and Tree hugging. When have you seen a protest on animal rights in Japan? Reality check, animals are animals not humans. If you want to stoop down to animals thats your call.

[Oki0619]

Anything you plan on buying from AAFES is a fvcking rip since they stopped pricematching, I was just back in the states and the 42inch JVC LCDs are 1199 same model here 1899.

[Trail]

And do you know why, theres an abundance of dogs and cats here? Its always been like that. Your in Japan, do you think the Japanese people really care about animals the way Americans do? They have enough problems of their own to worry about.

The only reason there isnt an abundance in other asian countries is because they eat cats and dogs. I hate it when Americans try to push their views in other countries i.e. Jehovas, Mormons, and Tree hugging. When have you seen a protest on animal rights in Japan? Reality check, animals are animals not humans. If you want to stoop down to animals thats your call.

Oh f'in please! I didn't compare humans to animals so get off my case. I called you out for being greedy at the expense of adding to the overpopulation of animals here. IMO, Americans often times are just as bad as the Japanese when it comes to taking care of pets. Just work at OAARS for a bit and you'll see the abuse and neglect coming from both sides. BTW, I wasn't pushing my view on anyone. I have the freedom to state my opinion just like you do, reality check bro.

And Monsta, you damn well I am not an AR warrior one here. Thanks for backing up a personal attack.

[applejacks]

Buy several wii console systems if you can find them and bring them here and sell them for a big mark up.

Bring your dehumidifiers if you have them, they sell them at the BX here but my Target brand is more quiet then the one I picked up here and cheaper.

[okisteve]

Bring lots of air and water.

[Zanpa]

buy 2 surfboards from the states. a $400 model in the states is $1000 here

[Old guy]

And bring two plastic X mas trees, one to sell to someone at an increase and one for you.

And maybe a little weed, cuz it's expensive here.

This reminds me, i've got an extra xmas tree in a box :scratchchin: i don't really celebrate xmas anyway lol.

[Bones]

If you have enough room in your baggage for Grace Park, pm me.

Well, even in my old age, there is still room for hope.:D

Bones

[Trail]

If you have enough room in your baggage for Grace Park, pm me.

Well, even in my old age, there is still room for hope.:D

Bones

Heh.... So hope comes in the form of Grace Park shoved in a suit case. Sounds like a personal problem.... j/k. :grin1:

[dndkt]

Clothes. If you care about having the same clothes as everyone else, get some there and bring it here. Otherwise everyone shops at the BX and you will be wearing the same thing as them. Unless you are a size 1-7, you won't find much off base to wear. Also, shoes. I wear a ladies 10-11 and can't find shoes off base and onbase has a very limited supply of cute shoes in big sizes. Otherwise, you can always shop online and get it shipped her, if you don't mind paying the shipping costs.