The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am in need of a Japanese member of the TMF that would perhaps help me with an unusual problem. A dealer in Tokyo has been my honest, reputable and totally honorable customer for over 20 years and I am seeking to find out if he is even still alive.

The reason is, that I am holding a major piece here for him, one that he partially paid for earlier in the year but he still owes me about $18,000 on. The deal was supposed to be concluded at the end of June, and it is all packed, crated and ready to ship. Other than a few emails in July, whereby he told me he had been in hospital, etc. I have not heard from him since.

I have even tried calling his little shop in Tokyo, but all I get is a female Japanese voice-mail message (or perhaps a line disconnect?).

If anybody in Tokyo could find out if he remains alive, and/or the shop is still open, it would be very helpful. I don't want to destroy our relationship by acting rashly, but almost 3 months is certainly a long time to be kept in limbo. The deposit he left for the piece is offset by money he owes me on other deals whereby FedEx failed to collect his import duties and taxes and charged my credit card instead, which seems to happen quite often with shipments to Japan.

Raphael

I know this isn't helpful but I could've looked for him last weekend when I was in tokyo. I am spending some time in south japan for work and wanted to see Tokyo. I definitely do not feel up to taking the bullet train back (it was a 5 hour ride lol) but if there's any way I can help just let me know.

Cheers,

David

Maybe try sending him a small amount by bank transfer to the source he paid you the deposit with, if it bounces back to you perhaps there will be an explanation attached, you could send $1 as a test ? If the guy has died the bank should be able to convey this information or redirect you to the benefactor ? Just an idea. Good luck with it.

dzavracky wrote: Fri Sep 12, 2025 5:13 am I know this isn't helpful but I could've looked for him last weekend when I was in tokyo. I am spending some time in south japan for work and wanted to see Tokyo. I definitely do not feel up to taking the bullet train back (it was a 5 hour ride lol) but if there's any way I can help just let me know.

Cheers,

David

Thanks, David. I will email you privately with his contact information. Perhaps you could have a Japanese-speaking person call his business and see what’s going on.

Raphael

herrickpickups wrote: Fri Sep 12, 2025 6:01 am Maybe try sending him a small amount by bank transfer to the source he paid you the deposit with, if it bounces back to you perhaps there will be an explanation attached, you could send $1 as a test ? If the guy has died the bank should be able to convey this information or redirect you to the benefactor ? Just an idea. Good luck with it.

Interesting idea, I will wait for David’s answer to my email and see where it goes from there. Thanks.

Raphael

Raphael, did you ever get help with this?

David tried to make contact, but no luck. In the meantime I have sold and delivered the item to another customer, and if I ever hear from the Japanese buyer, or alternatively, his estate, I will settle up accordingly.
I might add, over the years, several customers have passed away mid-way through a deal, so it would not come as a big shock to me if that is what happened.

Raphael