Latest news with #Mercari
Business Insider
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Business Insider
I've made over $40,000 selling plush dolls I scoop from claw machines. Here's how I learned to beat the game and turn my hobby into a profitable side hustle.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mike Nay, a claw machine expert and plush reseller. It has been edited for length and clarity. What started as a pandemic hobby — messing around with a couple of claw machines I bought online — turned into a side hustle that's earned me over $40,000 in sales, so far. I source exclusive plush toys from arcade claw machines and resell them online through platforms like Mercari, eBay, and Poshmark. I sell between three and five plush dolls per day, averaging $20 per sale. However, I've sold more exclusive, collectible plushies for as much as $200. How I got started, and where the money is When I first got into claw machines, I wasn't thinking about revenue. I just wanted a fun distraction during lockdown. I bought my first claw machine from Alibaba for around $800, filled it with plush toys I won at arcades, and started learning all the tricks. People assume claw machines are all rigged or based on chance, but there's real strategy involved. I study the geometry of the plush, where it's positioned, the weight distribution, and the claw type. Each machine has different settings — operators can control the claw's grip strength and how often it actually pays out. Once lockdown restrictions lifted, I was back in the arcade, winning dozens of plushies that were taking up a lot of my shelf space. That's around the time I realized there was a lot of good resale value for these toys. At first, I listed a few on Mercari, which sold within hours. Once I noticed consistent demand, especially for Japan-exclusive plushies, I started to ramp up my sales. I've sold over 3,000 plush toys. Most costs me between $3 and $7 to win at arcades in chains like Round1 and Dave & Buster's. If I sell that item for $15 to $25, the ROI is significant, especially when I can win several in a single session. I usually walk into an arcade with $150 to $200 in arcade credits and come out with two large laundry bags full of toys. If the machines are paying out well, that haul can net me between $300 and $500 in resale value. On great days, I'll invest $400 to $500 in credits and earn between $1,000 and $1,500 in sales. I've trained myself to identify machines that are likely to pay out quickly. That way, I don't waste money on poor setups or high-difficulty wins. I don't typically pursue machines with a one-in-30 win ratio. I target the ones where I can usually scoop a prize in under five tries. I run market research like any online seller Before I head to the arcade, I check sold listings on eBay and Mercari to see what's trending. I follow other plush resellers online and stay active in Reddit communities where fans post about new arcade drops. Some plushies — like Round1 exclusives or limited-edition anime collabs — are highly collectible. I also closely track plush with cultural relevance, like any anime that has a new popular movie coming out. When I see those in machines, I'll spend more aggressively to grab them, because I know they'll move fast online. I treat my inventory like a retail business At home, I have a dedicated room, which I call the ar-cave (short for arcade-cave), where I have about 500 plushies that I've sorted in plastic bags by category: Pokémon, anime, holiday, video game, Squishmallows, etc. I also donate excess inventory to charities, especially around the holidays. If I win 10 plush in one session and can only sell six, I'll donate the rest. I've donated over 1,000 toys. It's good for the community and helps manage space. My long-term goal is to open a claw machine arcade The business has grown beyond what I expected. Between selling plush, running a TikTok channel called "ArcadeFriends," and getting recognized at arcades, this is now a meaningful part of my life and income. Eventually, I want to open my own arcade and stock it with curated plushies I know people love. I'll also set the machines so people can actually win. Until then, I'll keep running my plush side hustle, one claw at a time. Do you have a story to share about profitable side hustles? Contact the editor at jorwig@
NHK
5 days ago
- Business
- NHK
Japan online reseller introduces AI to fight fraud
A Japanese company that runs a popular online site to resell goods says it has started using AI to combat fraud. The operator known as Mercari is responding to an increase in scams and criticism that existing countermeasures built into its app are insufficient. Mercari says its tougher measures introduced on Wednesday will identify and block users abusing the service. It says AI will be used to track suspicious transactions. One type of fraud involves buyers who return items asking for a refund, but the products they send back are not the original ones they received. Mercari says it will also crackdown on trade in counterfeit brand goods. A company official says Mercari aims to take the lead in fighting fraud using technologies such as AI.
SoraNews24
09-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- SoraNews24
What's the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Daiso Japan?
10 top ideas from locals who've been shopping at this 100-yen store all their lives. For some years now, our Japanese-language reporters have been traversing the city, looking for the best ways to spend 1,000 yen (US$6.99) at some of the nation's most popular chains. Today's installment brings us to 100-yen store Daiso, where each member of the team has put forth recommendations for what you should buy at the chain, naming their collections according to a theme, and with the only rule being that nobody is allowed to go even one-yen over budget. So let's take a look at what hidden gems they've discovered for us — from practical to tasty and simply cute, there's a good selection here to appeal to a wide variety of tastes. ▼ Takashi Harada's 'Daiso's Hangers Are a Sure Bet Set' Total: 990 yen 'I have a strong impression that Daiso's hangers are 'excellent'. Not only is there a wide variety, but there are also clever, innovative products that make it feel like Daiso really packs in that 100-yen shop spirit. My favourite among them is the hoodie hanger. Whether you have it or not makes a huge difference in how quickly the hood part dries so I highly recommend buying it!' Takashi Harada went all in on hangers alone. Ten points for practicality, and the fun is in how well they work to look after your clothes. ▼ Yoshio Ueda's 'Daiso Is a Cup Noodle Specialty Store' 'Let me get straight to the point: this price is seriously a steal. Even at drugstores, supermarkets, and online marketplaces like Amazon or Rakuten you'll rarely see Cup Noodles in this price range. While they're an 'あっさりおいしい' ('Assari Oishii' ['light and tasty']) variety, with lighter flavour and 80-percent of the noodles compared to a regular Cup Noodle, you still get the same umami so it's a great cheap-eat hack. I reckon some people wouldn't be able to tell the difference with their eyes closed but if you want more flavour, you can simply reduce the amount of water you add.' Instant noodles may not be the first thing that usually comes to mind when you think of a 100-yen store, but for noodle lovers looking for a bargain, this is great find, esepcially as there are five flavours to choose from: Soy Sauce, Seafood, Chili Tomato, Curry, and Spicy Hot Seafood. ▼ Takamichi Furusada's 'Flea Market Shipping Set Chosen by an 11-Year Mercari Veteran' Packing air mat: 110 yen A4 shipping case (2 pieces): 110 yen B5 cardboard sheets (6 pieces): 110 yen Thickness measuring ruler: 110 yen Yu-Packet Post shipping stickers (20 pieces): 110 yen Rotary measuring tape: 110 yen Sealing stickers (24 pieces): 110 yen A4 delivery vinyl bags (8 pieces): 110 yen A4 clear pockets (12 pieces): 110 yen Total: 990 yen 'I may be tooting my own horn, but this year marks my 11th year using the Mercari flea market app. If you ever need to post things, to buyers or otherwise, Daiso has everything you need, and these are my go-to products.' Nobody knew about Takamichi's secret life as a Mercari seller before today, so we've learnt two new things about him — his side hustle and his secret products for success. ▼ Mariko Ohanabatake's 'A Million Dollar Balloon Party of Memories' Birthday garland: 110 yen Glitter star decorations (12 gold pieces): 110 yen Film balloon (heart, matte color): 110 yen Party balloons (8 pink): 110 yen Film balloon (Number 4): 110 yen Film balloon (Number 2): 110 yen Confetti balloon (about 11 inches, heart-shaped): 110 yen Artificial flower bouquet: 110 yen Balloon pump: 110 yen Total: 990 yen 'The thing that surprised me most at Daiso this time was the balloon and garland decorations. You know how those 'Minato-ku girls' get surprise celebrations at hotels? Well, you can do that at home for under 1,000 yen! The balloon pump is a must — decorating took so long I almost cursed myself for coming up with the idea, but the finished look was so happy and gorgeous, it didn't look like a 100-yen shop setup at all. This would be great for a child's or friend's birthday, as it'll help create a memory for life.' The queen of the 1,000 yen series, Ohanabatake, usually goes for food, but this time she's showing off her girl power. Can she prove her strength even without food items? ▼ Masanuki Sunakoma's 'Complete Butamen Set' Butamen 3-pack: 216 yen × 3 Chicken Ramen: 116 yen Plastic bag: 3 yen Total: 975 yen 'Daiso isn't just a 'hanger shop', a 'cup noodle shop', or a 'Mercari goods shop'… Daiso is a 'Butamen shop!' Not only do they have the usual flavors like tonkotsu, soy sauce, salt, and curry, but you can also get the Daiso-exclusive 'Spicy Seafood' flavor, which is actually not that well known. Three for 216 yen is super cheap, and even with a bonus Chicken Ramen and a plastic bag, it's only 975 yen!' If you love noodles then it might be time for you to try Butamen, and according to Masanuki, Daiso is the ideal place to try it. ▼ Go Hatori's 'Top 9 Daiso Products Chosen by a 100-Yen Shop Critic' 'Having written over 540 reviews of 100-yen shops, I can say the following nine items are must-buys at Daiso. If you include other 100-yen shops, the list would change, but for Daiso, these are it. All items are 100 yen and they're absolutely reliable products, so I hope you find them useful!' Spoon for eating curry deliciously (Absolutely a must-buy!) 3D silicone mask (I use it every day) Nose hair trimmer (also essential, lasts a long time) Medicine notebook/clinic card case (many types, but the one in the article is good) iPhone 16 Pro screen protector (I even bring it on overseas trips) iPhone 13 Pro camera protector (also works for 16 Pro, bring it on trips) Monochrome rubber bands (even rubber bands can be stylish-only seen at Daiso) Seasoned egg maker (not a Daiso original, but revolutionary) Delivery sign plate (not a Daiso original, but really good) Total: 975 yen As a 100-yen shop expert Go Hatori's list has wide-ranging appeal. If he says it's good, it must be. ▼ Ahiruneko's 'Perfect Home Drinking Set' Canned chicken in garlic pepper sauce: 108 yen Canned chicken in refreshing lemon salt sauce: 108 yen Canned chicken in teriyaki sauce: 108 yen Domestic scallop strings: 108 yen Yamaya mentaiko cashew nuts: 108 yen Smoked cheese with black pepper: 108 yen Truffle salami: 108 yen Pure Potato & Karamucho: 2 for 108 yen Umaibo salad flavor: 17 yen Light and tasty cup noodle: 108 yen Plastic bag: 3 yen Total: 992 yen 'Depending on the store, Daiso actually has a great selection of unique snacks for drinking. In fact, you could say they have everything except alcohol. If you tried to buy this much at a convenience store, it would probably cost a lot. Of course, if it were all just dry snacks, it'd be boring, so I picked three punchy canned foods too. Every item is sure to hit home with drinkers, and even with a cup noodle for the finale, it's under 1,000 yen. I have to say, this is a skillful lineup!' Ahiruneko went all in on snacks for drinking, miming an alcoholic beverage in its absence. With canned goods leading the way, it's a lineup that's good for a night of drinking, which Ahiruneko is something of a dabhand in. ▼ Seiji Nakazawa's 'A Smartphone Charger for 330 Yen is Just Too Cheap Set' AC adapter: 330 yen A-C cable: 330 yen Smartphone magnifying screen: 220 yen Black Thunder (3-pack): 108 yen Total: 988 yen 'Have you ever thought chargers and cables are expensive? I often forget to bring them on trips and end up buying them at a convenience store, which is frustrating. But at Daiso, you can get a charger for just 330 yen! That's way too cheap!! And the USB Type-C cable is also 330 yen. You really can't have too many of these, so I put together a smartphone accessory pack centered around charging. I bought some Black Thunders just because I wanted to eat them.' Nakazawa picked Daiso's mobile gadgets, which are handy in a pinch. Whether they last long is another question, but everyone agrees Daiso's mobile gear is cheap so you can't go wrong with these. ▼ Mr Sato's 'The Best Buy at Daiso is Wired Earphones' 'To be honest, I was planning to go with coffee items this time as Daiso does some great coffees, but when I thought about what I most wanted to recommend to readers, I decided to go with these earphones, which have totally changed my music-listening experience. The sound quality is shockingly good for under 1,000 yen. In fact, discovering these led me to start a whole series on hunting for cheap earphones. This product shatters the theory that sound quality is proportional to price. Rather than just picking random items to make up 1,000 yen, I wanted to choose something that could change your life for under 1,000 yen. I really question people who recommend stuff that's useless.' Ever the discerning consumer, Mr Sato once again didn't use up his allocated budget, walking away with money to spare like he did in our last 1,000 yen shopping spree. ▼ Yuuichiro Wasai's 'Adult Field Trip Set (Snacks up to 900 yen)' Black Thunder ×3: 108 yen Happy Turn: 108 yen Crisp Choco & Pocky: 2 for 324 yen Lumonde & Elise: 2 for 324 yen Leisure sheet: 108 yen Total: 972 yen 'Since Daiso has everything, the ideal way to spend 1,000 yen depends on what you want. But if I had to pick something everyone loves, it's a field trip snack set. Actually, Daiso sells some snacks as '2 for XX yen,' so some things are quite a bargain. Leisure sheets are about 100 yen, so you can get about 900 yen worth of snacks for under 1,000 yen. Let me repeat: you can buy 900 yen worth of snacks. When I was in elementary school (born in 1981), the rule was 'snacks for field trips up to 300 yen,' so buying 900 yen worth as an adult is a thrill. And if you spread out the leisure sheet and eat outside, it tastes even better, just like on school trips as a kid. That feeling alone is worth more than 1,000 yen.' Yuuichiro opted for snacks, with a diverse lineup of crowd favourites that visitors to Japan should definitely try. ▼ P.K. Sanjun's 'All for the Sake of Kaki no Tane Set' Kaki no Tane (plum flavor, no peanuts): 108 yen × 4 Kaki no Tane (wasabi flavor, no peanuts): 108 yen × 2 Hokkaido roasted soybeans: 108 yen × 3 Plastic bag: 3 yen Total: 975 yen 'For me, Daiso is basically a snack shop. Among them, Kaki no Tane and Kyabetsu Taro are my MVPs! This time, since they didn't have Kyabetsu Taro, I had to go with just Kaki no Tane, but these two are always top-notch. I especially recommend the plum flavor Kaki no Tane. Wasabi is just a chaser-'three plums to one wasabi' is the best balance. The soybeans are great for protein, either on their own or with Kaki no Tane. Anyway, you have to try the plum flavor Kaki no Tane. I know everyone knows it, but forget the peanuts! And the resealable zipper is the best feature. Even at convenience stores, snacks are expensive these days! So I'm really grateful for Daiso. My two MVPs, 'Kaki no Tane Plum' and 'Kyabetsu Taro,' are always reliable, so everyone should stock up.' P.K. goes for crunchy snacks, making him the ideal partner for Ahiruneko's drinking session. So there you have it — 10 top ideas from our Japanese-language reporters, who've been shopping at Daiso all their lives. Which one was your favourite set? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to keep an eye out for these products next time you're at Daiso! Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
Japan Today
05-05-2025
- General
- Japan Today
How to break up with your partner in Japanese
By Hilary Keyes Nobody wants to think about ending a relationship, especially at the height of it. Sadly, these things just happen, more often than not. And hey, a break-up, whether it be in English or Japanese or any other language, isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it's really to secure yourself and even your ex-partner a new (and hopefully, better) life. You've probably spent a significant amount of time with that partner, and you certainly don't want to hurt their feelings, but you still want to make sure that the message is sent. To help you in the process, we've put together a quick break-up guide with a few typical phrases in Japanese to use once you're ready to end it with someone you have been romantically involved with. (Or, to help you understand what you are being told in case you're the one being dumped.) Japan's Main Break-Up Categories The Go-To Break-Up Soft Break-Up Phrases In-Between Phrases Hard Break-Up Phrases Stay Safe Use A Professional Relationship-Ending Company Japan's Main Break-Up Categories Image: iStock: electravk As in most other cultures, in Japan, there tend to be three different ways of breaking up with someone. Some people choose the soft break-up, the standard 'it's not you, it's me but let's stay friends' approach. Others, who find themselves in relationship limbo, take the neutral 'let's see how they react first' approach. The rest choose the 'screaming insults and selling whatever they gave you on Mercari' approach. If you're going for the first or second one, you may wish to start with a conversation, explaining your reasons. The third requires less explanation and more slang, so jump straight to that section. The Go-To Break-Up The standard, most common and civilized way of ending a relationship in Japanese is by saying: 別れてください (wakarete kudasai; 'Please break-up with me.') Or the more casual '別れよう' (wakareyo), which simply means 'let's break up.' If you want to initiate the conversation, suggesting that there is bad news in the typical 'we need to talk' way, you can approach your partner by saying 私達、話し合った方がいいね (watashitachi, hanashiatta hou ga ii ne; 'We should discuss us.') Or the more simple and direct 話がある (hanashi ga aru; 'I have something to tell you.') Soft Break-Up Phrases Image: iStock: Toru-Sanogawa Use these ones if you really do still care about your soon-to-be ex. Gomenne. Kore ijou otsukiai suru koto ga dekinai. ごめんね。これ以上、お付き合いすることができない。 I'm sorry, I can't date you anymore. Anata no sei jyanai. Watashi no sei. あなたのせいじゃない。私のせい。 It's not your fault, but mine. (Aka. 'It's not you. It's me.') Watashi wa anata ni fusawashikunai to omou. 私はあなたにふさわしくないと思う。 I don't think I'm good enough for you. Anata ni wa motto ii hito ga iru to omou. あなたにはもっといい人がいると思う。 I think there's someone better for you (than me). Ima made arigato. 今までありがとう。 Thank you for the time we've spent together. Tsukiattete tanoshikatta yo. Kedo mou owari ni shiyo! 付き合ってて楽しかったよ。けど、もう終わりにしよう！ Dating you was fun! But let's call it off. Shiawase ni suru koto ga dekinakute gomenne. 幸せにすることができなくてごめんね。 I'm sorry I couldn't make you happy. Wakare wa tsurai kedo, kansha shitemo shikirenai yo. 別れは辛いけど、感謝してもしきれないよ。 It's hard to break up and I can't be more grateful (to you for the time we spent together). Click here to read more. External Link © Savvy Tokyo
USA Today
24-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Trader Joe's might be coming to your area: See the new store locations opening this year
Trader Joe's might be coming to your area: See the new store locations opening this year Trader Joe's has a loyal following because of its diverse private-label products, global cuisine inspirations, and viral items like the limited-edition mini tote bags. And while some retailer are closing stores, Trader Joe's is expanding. The specialty grocer opened two new locations in April in Seattle and Murfreesboro, Tennessee. An additional 21 are planned for this year. Where and how many Trader Joe's are opening in 2025? The planned 21 locations are spread out across 13 states and Washington, D.C., according to the 'Opening Soon' section of the company's website. Which states have a Trader Joe's? The chain operates 581 stores across 42 states and the District of Columbia. The only states without a Trader Joe's are Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Mississippi and West Virginia. Trader Joe's and its popular mini tote bags In April, Trader Joe's launched its mini canvas tote bags just in time for Easter. Priced at $2.99, the bags are available in pastel shades of blue, pink, purple, and green. Though they are released nationwide, they are a limited-time product, and each store determines its own merchandising plan. The new mini totes made their highly anticipated return about a year after the mayhem that ensued in March 2024 when the bags were released. The grocery store chain had to impose a limit on the number of bags that customers could purchase. Last year's mini totes eventually were listed on a number of online marketplaces for as much as $500, and this year is no different. Listings have already begun to appear on eBay, Mercari and Facebook for as little as $11 and as much as $400. CONTRIBUTING Gabe Hauari and Amaris Encinas SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Trader Joe's
