I subscribed after reading this review - I love what you've done, Bemmu.
Candy Japan 2014 Year in Review
51–60 of 68 posts
Re: Candy Japan 2014 Year in Review
#52What happened in July 2014?
Re: Candy Japan 2014 Year in Review
#53I love Candy Japan but do have a couple of suggestions:
- The email you send out is great, but it often arrives well after I have received the package. One arrived a couple of days ago and I really want to wait on the email, but my willpower is usually no match for (possibly) delicious candy :/
- The email always goes to spam. Maybe check your DKIM settings or contact MailChimp? Or maybe it's just me? (Gmail / Google Apps)
- A small card with the name/photo/short description of each item would be great. If they were well designed and of decent quality I'd even collect them!
Re: Candy Japan 2014 Year in Review
#54I have stumbled upon Candy Japan about half a year ago when I was moving house and said I'd try it after I settle down. I have recently come back to this topic and did some research on different Japanese snack subscription options.
- Most services cost around $25 monthly.
- Candy Japan seems to offer the most frequent service, with almost all of the other options only offer monthly delivery.
- But Candy Japan also offers the smallest amount - 282 grams (141 grams * 2) compared to others who usually offer 1lb (450 grams) monthly.
Has anyone tried other subscription services? How do they compared to Candy Japan?
Re: Candy Japan 2014 Year in Review
#55You should change your FB share image to the professional photo of the box of candy, rather than the comic image, IMO.
Re: Candy Japan 2014 Year in Review
#56Some feedback as a user: I canceled my subscription recently after about half a year. Some things I didn't like with the service: - The service said that candy was shipped bi-monthly. I assumed it would come like every two weeks, but it always arrived quite simultaneous for me, a few days to a week later once a month. - Maybe it's me, but the flavors often ranged from weird to inedible (like rose flavored candy) - Th…
Thanks for the feedback. International mail is a bit unpredictable, even post office says the packages can take 2-4 weeks, so it is possible there could be overlap. I try to balance between easy to eat and truly bizarre. Sorry you didn't like those rose flavored ones, but many people actually loved them. Taste preferences are so varied I can't hope to keep everyone happy. I would rather sometimes shock and sometimes…
Additional feedback, if this is appropriate: the coupon link in the footer results in a blank page. It's 404, but I had to check an inspector in the absence of any 404 text. Hope this helps.
Re: Candy Japan 2014 Year in Review
#57Great write-up, Bemmu. Glad to hear Candy Japan is still going strong. I had a subscription for a couple of months last year, I got my first batch right after we met on a warm sunny day here in Amsterdam! Unfortunately I had to cancel the subscription, though. This is because the frequency was just too high for me. Although I do love all the weird and funny types of candy, I'm not that much of a sweet tooth and some…
Does Bemmu offer an "every other month" subscription for 2/3 the price?
If not... you should. :)
Re: Candy Japan 2014 Year in Review
#58Congrats Bemmu - I love the 'overnight success story' that was 2014. In my experience, businesses tend to grow in jumps with a plateau in between and it looks like 2014 was that sort of year (as a deserved reward for the years of platform investment you had made). Best of luck getting over that 1,000 item milestone and then the next big jump beyond!
If I could just keep at 1000, that would be great success. I think if somehow the site doubled again, it would become possible to even hire full-time help. Interestingly not all sweets makers are that interested in selling in bulk. My approach seems to need some tweaking. Currently I would just send an email like "hey I'd like to buy 1000 of these cute candies you make, how much would it be?". But instead of a price,…
Speaking as a longtime JP expat, this might be a matter of nuance and phrasing. If you have a business-type salaryman in your sphere of friends, it might be worth getting them to vet your form letter to make sure it conveys the right impression (that this isn't speculative, your business is established, based on response you might purchase again, etc.).
Re: Candy Japan 2014 Year in Review
#59Some feedback as a user: I canceled my subscription recently after about half a year. Some things I didn't like with the service: - The service said that candy was shipped bi-monthly. I assumed it would come like every two weeks, but it always arrived quite simultaneous for me, a few days to a week later once a month. - Maybe it's me, but the flavors often ranged from weird to inedible (like rose flavored candy) - Th…
Thanks for the feedback. International mail is a bit unpredictable, even post office says the packages can take 2-4 weeks, so it is possible there could be overlap. I try to balance between easy to eat and truly bizarre. Sorry you didn't like those rose flavored ones, but many people actually loved them. Taste preferences are so varied I can't hope to keep everyone happy. I would rather sometimes shock and sometimes…
actually surprised you dont offer a shop. until now i assume the subscription has the goal to get people to the webshop
Re: Candy Japan 2014 Year in Review
#60I still love this idea Bemmu. One suggestion - I think you should invest in design and copywriting for the homepage. What you're selling is an emotional experience but it isn't being presented that way. To Americans like me, Japan is mysterious and fun. I actually don't WANT to see what the box looks like. If you play up the mystery more, it becomes less of a transaction and more of a emotional experience which will…
Thanks for the suggestion. Do you have some example of a site that would in your mind be closer to how Candy Japan should be?
I think it would also be beneficial to get better shots of your products. It shouldn't be too expensive to get a decent DSLR, macro lens, flash and a lightbox. It will make a world a difference in the pictures you are getting.