Did any of you get this inquiry from Japan?

[jon_norstog]

This came in over the transom yesterday. Did anyone else get it? Is it for real?

"Thursday Bicycles

To Whom It May Concern:

Hello.
Our company develops, distributes, and retails custom-made bicycle frames and non-circular gears in Japan.
We have a plan to start an import agent section where Japanese customers can order custom-made frames from companies overseas through our company.
Would you please be our partner and let us sell your products in Japan?

Thank you.

Sincerely yours,

Masayoshi Yaguchi, CEO
Smith Co., Ltd."

[Amaro Bikes]

I did get similar one from Hong Kong, and it was for real, although they're simply asking for getting some special deal when getting a customer through their store, nothing too complicated or big numbers involved. Apart from the chance to open to new markets, they did also already work with Tyler's Fireflies, so it was an easy question to answer, yes.

In your case, I would ask what are they about, as starter the guys name and company do not appear in any online search engine, so that's probably a bad signal... but you never know. First question is if you would be interested in doing so, if yes, then make a couple of discerning questions for you to know if it's a yes or a no.

Cheers

[mothattack]

I got the one from Japan last week. Didn't follow up though, so I can't make a guess at it's validity.

[Jonathan]

I got it. I don't feel special.

[bencooper]

I got that too - the website is odd...

[steve garro]

Actually, Rick Hunter I have heard through my friend in Osaka, is selling a bunch of frames through a shop called "Circle" now - Japan is trying to be Portland bike shop wise, seriously.

USA frames are all the rage, I think Jeremy, Curtis & others are doing very well over there.

- Garro.