Importing a DS from Lik-Sang?

[megashock5]

I'm toying with the idea of importing a pink DS for my wife (I already have the U.S. silver one, and want to tell them apart), but I had a couple of questions.

Has anyone ordered from Lik-Sang before? How reliable are they? How long does it usually take? I need it in about a week and a half.

Also, does anyone know how the import model differs from the U.S. one? Are the menus in Japanese or anything like that? Basically, is there anything I need to be aware of before I place the order?

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!!!

[Grave_Addiction]

I'm not totally sure about the menus, but Lik-Sang is a reputable site.

[anionyx]

Actually, I've ordered from Lik Sang a few times....I have received packages from both Germany and Hong Kong so if you need it fast I would pick the faster shipping methods (which may cost a small amount). Their shipping times are pretty accurate though. The only thing I didn't like was having to email them my credit card info for some reason....it may have been that their system was down. Anyway, I always get my stuff in good shape. As for the DS's they are not region specific at all. The only thing you will have to do when you turn on the DS is to change the language to English. Which if you have a DS already you can just look at yours and use the same steps. The menus are the same. Great gift for your wife BTW. Hope she loves it!

[Quackzilla]

Free shipping is about 3-4 weeks.

[megashock5]

Free shipping is about 3-4 weeks.


Crud, her birthday's on the 14th.

Oh well, thanks for the info everyone.

[judyjudyjudy]

Crud, her birthday's on the 14th.

Oh well, thanks for the info everyone.
The Nintendo DS doesn't qualify for free shipping anyways. The cheapest shipping option is $23, and according to Lik-Sang, that's 7-30 days. But for only $5 more, you can get EMS (3-4 days) or UPS (1-3 days), which should be just fine to come in time for your wife's birthday.

[Gator]

The new Electric Blue DS comes out in the US on June 6th. That's one way to solve your problem... although your wife would have the cooler looking one :-)

[maxflight]

well, I think the pink one looks better than the electric blue.

[megashock5]

OK, now I found it at gameexpress.com for $143.99 and $7.11 shipping, which is looking reeeeaaallly attractive.

http://www.gameexpress.com/product_detail.cfm?UPC=JP4902370509

Anyone ever hear of this site or have any experience with them?

[maxflight]

OK, now I found it at gameexpress.com for $143.99 and $7.11 shipping, which is looking reeeeaaallly attractive.

http://www.gameexpress.com/product_detail.cfm?UPC=JP4902370509

Anyone ever hear of this site or have any experience with them?

I've ordered once or twice with them, no problems.

I gotta say that that's a great price for an import system.

[the3rdkey]

I'm toying with the idea of importing a pink DS for my wife (I already have the U.S. silver one, and want to tell them apart), but I had a couple of questions.

Has anyone ordered from Lik-Sang before? How reliable are they? How long does it usually take? I need it in about a week and a half.

Also, does anyone know how the import model differs from the U.S. one? Are the menus in Japanese or anything like that? Basically, is there anything I need to be aware of before I place the order?

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!!!

Since they are from different regions you will not be able to do any multi player.

[megashock5]

Since they are from different regions you will not be able to do any multi player.


Whoah, is this true?

If so, that changes everything.

[maxflight]

Since they are from different regions you will not be able to do any multi player.

are you sure? have you tried and failed before?

[Quackzilla]

Whoah, is this true?

If so, that changes everything.

It's only true if the games themselves are from different regions, like playing multiplayer with both a US and JPN version of the same game.

[megashock5]

It's only true if the games themselves are from different regions, like playing multiplayer with both a US and JPN version of the same game.


Let me see if I'm following you.

Most of the DS games allow single-cart mulitplayer (mario 64, zoo keeper, etc.)

Would I be able to play these games (U.S. games) that way with one U.S. system and one Japan system?

[maxflight]

Let me see if I'm following you.

Most of the DS games allow single-cart mulitplayer (mario 64, zoo keeper, etc.)

Would I be able to play these games (U.S. games) that way with one U.S. system and one Japan system?

I think the single cart multiplayer games will be just fine

[FrankTheFrowner]

OK, now I found it at gameexpress.com for $143.99 and $7.11 shipping, which is looking reeeeaaallly attractive.

http://www.gameexpress.com/product_detail.cfm?UPC=JP4902370509

Anyone ever hear of this site or have any experience with them?

Haven't bought anything from their website but they have a bunch of retail stores in NY/NJ that I've been to & purchased from. The one by my house closed up though, so I have to go to NYC for the nearest one now.

[megashock5]

Hmmm. I'm ready to order this thing if the multiplayer will work just like the U.S. model.

Does anyone know where I might be able to find any confirmation on this?

[scdoanintendo]

Free bump... Are the Japanese colors solid or metallic?

[megashock5]

OK, it's ordered. Here's hoping for the best.

One more question, anyone know a good place to get a Hello Kitty sticker that would look nice on the top of it? Maybe just the face, an inch big or slightly smaller? I think she'd dig that.

Thanks for all the help everyone!

[Heyricochet]

Good you made the good decision, because nothing is incompatible between DSes. There is no sort of region lockouts at all. What people were talking about is that for example a Japanese Mr Driller will not work with a US Mr. Driller using multi-card play. Nothing to do with the consoles, just the games themselves.

[judyjudyjudy]

OK, now I found it at gameexpress.com for $143.99 and $7.11 shipping, which is looking reeeeaaallly attractive.

http://www.gameexpress.com/product_detail.cfm?UPC=JP4902370509

Anyone ever hear of this site or have any experience with them?
Wow, that is a really good deal. That would be cheaper than getting an American one w/ tax. In fact, the import ones are cheaper than the American DS's on that site. You might want to email them to double check. (And if it's true, let me know so I can throw hints to my bf :P)

And you're even going to decorate it for her? You must be an awesome husband. The only places I can think of to get Hello Kitty stickers are, of course, Hello Kitty Sanrio stores. In case you didn't think of that already, here's the store locater: http://sanrio.know-where.com/sanrio/
Other than that, I'd recommend maybe Japanese supermarkets.
Edited to add: Apparently the store locater doesn't just locate Sanrio stores, but stores that sell Sanrio stuff. Even better.

[adamsappel]

Tower Records has Hello Kitty items.

[Quackzilla]

I have a feeling you are going to get a "present" on her birthday, too.

Nntendo has that effect sometimes...

[megashock5]

Wow, that is a really good deal. That would be cheaper than getting an American one w/ tax. In fact, the import ones are cheaper than the American DS's on that site. You might want to email them to double check. (And if it's true, let me know so I can throw hints to my bf :P)

Good idea, I probably should have done that. Too late now. I hope I get what I ordered, it very clearly said 'Pink' in the description. I'll update the thread when it gets here and let you know if it turns out to be the right thing.

And you're even going to decorate it for her? You must be an awesome husband. The only places I can think of to get Hello Kitty stickers are, of course, Hello Kitty Sanrio stores. In case you didn't think of that already, here's the store locater: http://sanrio.know-where.com/sanrio/
Other than that, I'd recommend maybe Japanese supermarkets.
Edited to add: Apparently the store locater doesn't just locate Sanrio stores, but stores that sell Sanrio stuff. Even better.

Awesome, thanks for the link! I have a few places to check out based on the list it gave me.

[The VGM]

The pink DS is tough. It would go nice with my DC. I wouldn't put a Hello Kitty sticker on it though.... but that's just me.

[megashock5]

Yeah, I normally would never put a sticker on a game machine. A few days back she said she thought they should make a Hello Kitty DS and she would probably buy it. She then added, 'well, if I was buying one at all.'

Now, the thing is, my wife is not a gamer. She's played Animal Crossing, Worms, Tekken, Bust-a-Move, etc. every great once in a while, but it's really my thing and she just tolerates it (at least most of the time.) She really has taken a liking to my DS, especially Zoo Keeper, but the fact that she even made a statement suggesting actually spending money on gaming herself is nothing short of a miracle.

I figure the pink one with a sticker is as close as I'm going to get.

oh, btw, your Dreamcast is sweeet!

[maxflight]

Wow, that is a really good deal. That would be cheaper than getting an American one w/ tax. In fact, the import ones are cheaper than the American DS's on that site. You might want to email them to double check. (And if it's true, let me know so I can throw hints to my bf :P)

And you're even going to decorate it for her? You must be an awesome husband. The only places I can think of to get Hello Kitty stickers are, of course, Hello Kitty Sanrio stores. In case you didn't think of that already, here's the store locater: http://sanrio.know-where.com/sanrio/
Other than that, I'd recommend maybe Japanese supermarkets.
Edited to add: Apparently the store locater doesn't just locate Sanrio stores, but stores that sell Sanrio stuff. Even better.

plenty of hello kitty sticker auctions.

if my gf loved video games, gifts would be soooo easy!

[jalu6]

wow, this gameexpress thing is only about 2 miles from my house, and i never even knew about it. ill go check out the store this week. maybe my GF would like a pink DS too....

[The VGM]

oh, btw, your Dreamcast is sweeet!

Thanks.

jalu: $143.99
(ONLINE ONLY)

They wouldn't sell an import DS instore.

[qpid]

This is weird since I just ordered and received a pink DS for my wife from Lik-Sang. From purchase to receiving took 3 days to Michigan using the UPS shipping. They included instructions on changing the language to English (really easy to do, takes about 5 min). I also got her a Nintendogs Bag and Plush that they carry. Also they give you points to use for future free stuff. So $28 shipping from Hong to the US in 3 days, sounds good to me. Hope your order from the other place goes well, I can't recommend Lik-sang enough even tho this was my first order with them.

[megashock5]

Well it shipped yesterday, just a few hours after I placed the order. According to the FedEx tracking number it should arrive tomorrow. And I just used their standard FedEx, not the expedited one.

Here's hoping I get what I ordered!

[judyjudyjudy]

Well it shipped yesterday, just a few hours after I placed the order. According to the FedEx tracking number it should arrive tomorrow. And I just used their standard FedEx, not the expedited one.

Here's hoping I get what I ordered!
I think you did, because now the site description actually has a picture now. I'm not big on pink stuff, but it's a nice color for a DS... time to send the link to my bf. (Too bad he's broke like me.)

[spoo]

Here is a Hello Kitty DS Skin
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18807&item=8175116575&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

[Quackzilla]

Here is a Hello Kitty DS Skin
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=18807&item=8175116575&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

That defeats the purpose of importing the pink DS.

[megashock5]

That skin is interesting, but I'm really looking more for something simple and tasteful like this. I just Photoshopped it on top of a DS pic from an ebay auction.

http://www.geocities.com/megashock5/hkds.jpg

[qpid]

oh yeah also if you are looking for some nice wife ds gifts. I got my wife the nintendogs bag and plush from lik-sang, do a search for nintendogs and you'll find it, I guess it also goes without saying that once nintendogs comes out that she will probably love it, I know my wife is looking forward to it

[sononkyo]

tell me how the order from gameexpress went. I'm interested as well.

[maxflight]

tell me how the order from gameexpress went. I'm interested as well.

they are trustworthy (from my experience)

and that pink DS with the hello kitty sticker looks hot.

[megashock5]

they are trustworthy (from my experience)

and that pink DS with the hello kitty sticker looks hot.

I think so, now if I can just find a sticker like that!

I'll post when it gets here, but I just realized a problem. That site only ships to the address that's on your credit card (which is my home address) and it's supposed to be delivered tomorrow when I'll be at work. I forgot that FedEx requires a signature.

Looks like I might not get it tomorrow after all. :(

[Quackzilla]

I think so, now if I can just find a sticker like that!

I'll post when it gets here, but I just realized a problem. That site only ships to the address that's on your credit card (which is my home address) and it's supposed to be delivered tomorrow when I'll be at work. I forgot that FedEx requires a signature.

Looks like I might not get it tomorrow after all. :(

Try leaving a signed note on the door.

[megashock5]

Try leaving a signed note on the door.


I did, I just don't know if I should expect that to work or not. Never tried it.
Guess I'll find out soon enough, it's currently "on FedEx vehicle for delivery" according to the tracking update.

EDIT: It now says "Delivered" so we'll see if it's there when I get home.

[scdoanintendo]

I did, I just don't know if I should expect that to work or not. Never tried it.
Guess I'll find out soon enough, it's currently "on FedEx vehicle for delivery" according to the tracking update.

EDIT: It now says "Delivered" so we'll see if it's there when I get home.


Please keep us updated, as I'm tempted to order the black or white one. Does anyone know if the colors are solid or metallic?

[AvidWriter]

Hope your wife didn't get to it first....heh.

[megashock5]

Luckily I told her that there would be a box on the porch and to ingnore it.

Well, it's here and it's exactly what I expected it to be. Seems to be a great site, the price was good and it came two days after I ordered with the standard shipping. Can't beat that!

The thing is really cool looking. It's sort of metallic, almost pearl-like. Bath-bead, maybe? I found Hello Kiity stickers this morning, along with HK wrapping paper and a stuffed one for a package-topper. Hope she likes it.

Thanks for the help everyone! I just wanted to let you know that it got here and looks great since some of you were considering ordering imports from these guys.

[judyjudyjudy]

Luckily I told her that there would be a box on the porch and to ingnore it.

Well, it's here and it's exactly what I expected it to be. Seems to be a great site, the price was good and it came two days after I ordered with the standard shipping. Can't beat that!

The thing is really cool looking. It's sort of metallic, almost pearl-like. Bath-bead, maybe? I found Hello Kiity stickers this morning, along with HK wrapping paper and a stuffed one for a package-topper. Hope she likes it.

Thanks for the help everyone! I just wanted to let you know that it got here and looks great since some of you were considering ordering imports from these guys.
Thanks for letting us know! Your wife is going to love your gift :) (I'm trying to imagine a grown man going around stores asking for Hello Kitty stickers... that was probably interesting.)

[scdoanintendo]

Luckily I told her that there would be a box on the porch and to ingnore it.

Well, it's here and it's exactly what I expected it to be. Seems to be a great site, the price was good and it came two days after I ordered with the standard shipping. Can't beat that!

The thing is really cool looking. It's sort of metallic, almost pearl-like. Bath-bead, maybe? I found Hello Kiity stickers this morning, along with HK wrapping paper and a stuffed one for a package-topper. Hope she likes it.

Thanks for the help everyone! I just wanted to let you know that it got here and looks great since some of you were considering ordering imports from these guys.


Awesome, thanks for the feedback. I'll probably end up getting the white DS over the new electric blue one.

[judyjudyjudy]

Please keep us updated, as I'm tempted to order the black or white one. Does anyone know if the colors are solid or metallic?
According to a review on Play-Asia, the white is a "pearl white", not a "flat white". I'm guessing "flat white" means like iPod-ish. Dunno if that helps.

[scdoanintendo]

According to a review on Play-Asia, the white is a "pearl white", not a "flat white". I'm guessing "flat white" means like iPod-ish. Dunno if that helps.

Yeah I just ended up buying the white one, I'll post pics if requested when it arrives.

[CouRageouS]

Does any import website have a good policy for dead pixels? Thats my biggest concern if I were to import a DS.

[scdoanintendo]

Does any import website have a good policy for dead pixels? Thats my biggest concern if I were to import a DS.

I think Nintendo may help, but since it's an import I'm not sure. Also I know about ten people that have a DS and none have dead pixels so I'm really not too worried.

[sononkyo]

Yeah I just ended up buying the white one, I'll post pics if requested when it arrives.


do post. the white one is what interests me.

[CouRageouS]

I think Nintendo may help, but since it's an import I'm not sure. Also I know about ten people that have a DS and none have dead pixels so I'm really not too worried.
I had a dead pixel and a faded top screen so I had to replace mine. My friend got one that was fine though. I'll probably replace my DS one more time before the year is up cause the hinge is a bit looser on the replacement they gave me. I wonder if Nintendo would do something, they have awesome Customer Service. Maybe they would refer you to NoJ or something.

[megashock5]

Okay, new question. I brought it to work with me to day so I can charge it up before I wrap it.

Does anyone know off-hand how to switch it to English? When I fire it up I get three lines of Japanese text. If I hit a button or click the screen I seem to go into Pictochat.

I know I should have brought my US one to compare against, but I didn't think of it.

Thanks in advance!

[scdoanintendo]

On the US version you touch the little DS symbol on the bottom screen then go to the wrench like symbol, then the world symbol and US is in the Top left hand side.

Somewhat useless from gamefaqs

1. Turn on the DS (press the button marked "power")
2. Touch the touch screen to pass through the warning message.
3. You are now at the setup menu
4. The first option is to select a language, touch the language of choice, and
then press accept.
5. The next option is to tell the DS your nickname. Using the on screen
keyboard, type your name, then hit enter
6. The next option is your favorite color. Press your favorite color, and hit
accept on the touch screen.
7. Next option is to set the time. Using the touch screen, set the DS's time,
in military time. (if you need help with military time, see the military time
question in the FAQ)
8. Last step is setting your birthday. Using the touch screen, set the day,
and month of your birthday. (there is no option for year). Touch accept on the
touch screen when done.
9. Congrats, your done. The system will now shut down, upon which you can
start it up, and find out exactly why touching is sooooo good.

Q: You just said the default languages are different, if I got the Japanese
version, how do I change it to English?
A: you can use the handy-dandy "changing your settings" (or similar phrase)
section. Once there, I've nicely listed SYMBOLS in addition to words, to make
your life easier. THIS IS WHY I AM BETTER THAN THE INSTRUCTION MANUEL, DON'T
FORGET IT!!!!

[megashock5]

Got it. It wasn't Pictochat it was taking me to, it wanted me to type in the name of the system. Figured the rest of the initial setup out and then it shut down. After that I could get into the system settings.

Thanks again everyone. The birthday party is this Saturday. I'll post and let you know how it goes.

[Quackzilla]

You are so going to get laid on Saturday...

[scdoanintendo]

Could you post any pics of the system? I ordered the white one, but it says there is a chance of it taking longer because it is an import.

[megashock5]

I can after Saturday. I just got done wrapping it up, plus she's on the computer even more than me and I don't want any trace of the pictures on there.

But I'll definitely take some and post them here after she's opened it.

[locutus411]

Damn you for finding this at a good price. I was thinking about getting a pink DS for my wife too. She gets insanely high scores at Zoo Keeper and I was thinking that playing it versus would be fun (even though I would get my butt kicked). At this price I may have to pull the trigger.

[megashock5]

Damn you for finding this at a good price. I was thinking about getting a pink DS for my wife too. She gets insanely high scores at Zoo Keeper and I was thinking that playing it versus would be fun (even though I would get my butt kicked). At this price I may have to pull the trigger.


Hehe, glad I'm not the only one!

For all you male DS owners out there who want to get your wife/girlfriend interested in gaming - go buy Zoo Keeper today. Plus, it rocks.

[scdoanintendo]

Just got my white DS in and here are the pics (not the best quality)

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61/scdoanintendo/560A0067.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61/scdoanintendo/560A0068.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61/scdoanintendo/560A0069.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61/scdoanintendo/560A0071.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y61/scdoanintendo/560A0070.jpg

It's more solid than metallic, but still somewhat of a mix. I was surprised that the Japanese DS box is so flimsy. Thanks again OP, now my sister is thinking of getting the Pink version.

[maxflight]

that white DS is HOT

[megashock5]

Well, I she opened it this evening and seems to like it pretty well. I just put the stickers in with it but she hasn't decided whether or not to put one on the DS. My parents got her Yoshi Touch'n'Go and she played that for quite a while.

I'll take pictures of it and try to post them in the next day or so, I know some people were asking to see it.

Thanks for all the help everyone!

[sononkyo]

yea, im tempted by the colors. Super Mario Bros game pak might be nice and all, but the systeem colors stays with you. White and pink are the ones im most interested in, so thx for the white version pics. now awaiting, hopefully, for a higher resolution shot of the pink!

[megashock5]

Okay, here are pictures as promised.

Strangely, the pink DS came with a black strap. So she's using the white strap that came with my PSP (still don't know why in the world the PSP comes with a white strap).

http://www.geocities.com/megashock5/dsds1.jpg



Now an open shot

http://www.geocities.com/megashock5/dsds2.jpg



And a Ms. Pac-Man reference (for those old enough to remember...)

http://www.geocities.com/megashock5/dsds3.jpg

[megashock5]

yea, im tempted by the colors. Super Mario Bros game pak might be nice and all, but the systeem colors stays with you. White and pink are the ones im most interested in, so thx for the white version pics. now awaiting, hopefully, for a higher resolution shot of the pink!


Just saw this after I posted the pics. Here's a little bigger shot, not all that hi-res but bigger. Hope this helps!

http://www.geocities.com/megashock5/dspink.jpg

[judyjudyjudy]

And a Ms. Pac-Man reference (for those old enough to remember...)

http://www.geocities.com/megashock5/dsds3.jpg
That's so cute :)

[scdoanintendo]

Thanks for the pics OP.My cousin is buying the turquoise color, she picked this over pink. I'll also post pics of that system. If anyone got an electric blue DS can they post pics of it.

[ericx]

A good excuse to get a blue one is to return your ds to the store you bought it from and say it had a dead pixel. When i returned my first ds w/ a dead pixel they just checked if everything was inside. For me the only time the dead pixel showed up was during a video. If they test it say it's during a video. It's up to you, i'm not planning on doing this because i prefer the gray over the blue unless there was a black one availabe in the US, but there isn't. Also because my receipt is dated 6-7 months ago i can't do it.

this is off topic, but is there a way to paint a ds without opening it? skins only cover parts of the ds.

[Theduck]

Cute overload! *blows up*

[megashock5]

"Cooooool.... I think I broke his brain"

[maxflight]

what is she gonna do when she's playing a game what would need the thumb strap? or would she just stay away from those.

[Quackzilla]

what is she gonna do when she's playing a game what would need the thumb strap? or would she just stay away from those.

What's the thumb strap look like?

[ericx]

What's the thumb strap look like?

it's used in the touch screen. you put the thumb strap to your thumb and it's a alternative to the stylus. Good for metroid, but my ds never came w/ it nor the NDS strap.

http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/ds/wrist_strap.jsp

[megashock5]

Most likely it wouldn't get used. She's much more drawn to the stylus games. Puzzles and whatnot. Plus, we still have the one that came with the DS.