How do furniture stores work?

[Anonymous]

I feel stupid because I can't figure anything out on my own, there's nothing on google, and I don't speak the local language in my country so I can't ask for help from a salesperson.

I just tried to buy furniture and curtains for my new house in Japan and miserably failed. There were no product tickets to grab, no system like Ikea's where you write down a code and grab it yourself, and no actual purchasable product on the sales floor. I wanted to ask for help, but salespeople just walk right past me.

I've never had to buy furniture like this before because I've lived in furnished contracted housing.

[Anonymous]

Just, find a person that you know well is friends with you and in the community. who speaks your language.. ask him/her for help.

In Eastern society, we are family-oriented people.. unlike the West... a lot of your issues can be solved by talking to people.

Stop swiping on the Internet, disconnect from the internet, and connect to the community!..

You won't find many details on the internet if you are not in a big city.

if you are in a big city, just look on GOOGLE MAPS.. that usually works.. the search engine will fail..

[Opinion Owner]

Thanks for MHO, most Japanese people are friendly. So it shouldn't be difficult

[Asker]

I went back to the store today and bought some things! It was difficult because I had to go alone, but the saleswoman was very friendly and didn't mind having our conversations through a translator app.

[Opinion Owner]

See you can talk easliy..
People in East are more receptive to conversation.. they love to talk.. even though you don't speak their language..

If you placed efforts to speak their language, they will even appreciate it!.. 🤗so keep trying 🥺

[molonski2]

Japan has some very switched on retailers , surely your initial search could be online - then maybe make an appointment? They normally have someone who can speak English well?

[Asker]

I looked online and didn't see any information about appointments. There was also no instruction for how to purchase on any of the store signage. I will say that there were quite a few employees walking around, but it seemed impossible to get their attention without walking right up to them. They seemed apprehensive about speaking to me, and I have social anxiety, so this seems like it's about to be a painful situation for everyone involved.

[molonski2]

Where were you born USA? Japan is a tech savy place , and I'm sure you appreciate , its very different in Asia. Here , I just walk straight up , its vastly different.

[Asker]

Yes I was born in the US. However, I've lived in Eastern Asia for the last 3 years. I guess I'll just have to open Google translate on my phone and walk right up to someone next time.

[molonski2]

Learn enough Japanese for basic communication , and lets be honest its a great thing that its not the same as the wonderful US of A , here in Thailand , its the " I am " attitude of the US that simply does not cut it here , Japan is certainly ahead of Thailand ( economically ) , but Asian cultures are thankfully much different.

[Staximus]

Usually at a real furniture store (not ikea) , you tell the salesperson "I want that one" and they load it into your truck or deliver it to you.

[Asker]

I'm assuming they retrieve it from a storeroom for me or order it from a warehouse nearby?

[Staximus]

No. They pick up a gold phone and call Jesus. He has one of the 12 furniture apostles bring it down on a magic carpet from the big furniture factory in the sky, straight to your doorstep.

[Asker]

Okay, thanks! So do they pull jesus's gold phone out of your ass before the 12 apostles run a train on your mom? Or after?

[andreasderjuengere]

I don't speak the local language either, here.
It often helps to show pictures on the phone, or I use google translate.