I just noticed on Digitaka when checking out they state the exchange rate is 1 US Dollar = 150.14 Japanese Yen. The current exchange rate is actually 1 US dollar = 157.46 Japanese Yen.

 

If they used the correct exchange rate, it would obviously make items cheaper. Is there a reason they don’t use the correct exchange rate? 

Google says it is currently 157.35. You're talking about 0.046 cents difference for every dollar spent.  That is 4.6 cents for every $100 you spend. 🤨

1 hour ago, woolleyfooley said:

I just noticed on Digitaka when checking out they state the exchange rate is 1 US Dollar = 150.14 Japanese Yen. The current exchange rate is actually 1 US dollar = 157.46 Japanese Yen.

 

If they used the correct exchange rate, it would obviously make items cheaper. Is there a reason they don’t use the correct exchange rate? 

It's not "incorrect". It's the  actual rate (as decided by markets) vs expected rate (rate at which you, a private citizen, can actually buy it for). This is true for oil, precious metals, currencies, etc

 

I live in Canada and have never actually got the actual price when buying US dollars, either. 

 

There's always a bit of a difference and that's just the way currency exchange works.

Yup and that could change yet again in the next hour..

1 minute ago, F14A-B said:

Yup and that could change yet again in the next hour..

Correct! 

Payment occurs when the credit card clears at that moment currency is transacted.

Tom

If I remember correctly, Digitaka lets you choose what currency you want to pay in.  The price they quote you in US dollars is what they will charge your credit card in dollars.  I'm sure that price includes what they expect their currency conversion cost will be but it's not really currency conversion.  If you pay them in yen then your credit card company will do the currency conversion.  You might get a better price if you pay in yen.

23 hours ago, Rockhopper said:

Google says it is currently 157.35. You're talking about 0.046 cents difference for every dollar spent.  That is 4.6 cents for every $100 you spend. 🤨

I think you did your math wrong. The difference between 150 yen and 157 yen is around 5 cents per single dollar. 

 

You sir are correct.  I should have stated 0.046 DOLLARS, not cents.  I threw myself off thinking cents.  Good catch.

 

So $4.60 on a $100 tab.

On 11/20/2025 at 8:07 PM, F14A-B said:

Yup and that could change yet again in the next hour..

Yes I know it changes constantly which is why digitaka’s prices fluctuate daily. I was just curious why they state the exchange rate at a lower rate than what markets currently show. 
 

Also, I’m not implying any malicious intent on digitakas part. I was just curious if they were perhaps charging a fee for doing the currency exchange for you or something similar.

13 minutes ago, woolleyfooley said:

Yes I know it changes constantly which is why digitaka’s prices fluctuate daily. I was just curious why they state the exchange rate at a lower rate than what markets currently show. 
 

Also, I’m not implying any malicious intent on digitakas part. I was just curious if they were perhaps charging a fee for doing the currency exchange for you or something similar.

Yes, I know, I understood your op..I get typically a 9-10 dollar charge from several Japanese vendors. I asked @bulldog1935 about it. (He has dealt with Japan for a couple decades and has helped me with some of the finer details) and it’s a charge to convert.. so you were right on with your assessment. 

Every exchange rate is loaded so the currency exchanger makes a percentage on their transaction.  They get charged when they turn $ to JY.  

Some are very fair, and I would consider Digitaka's 4% to be quite fair.  Paypal charges them (or you) that much to sell something.  Credit card transaction does the same thing (how do you think they make their money), so sounds like Digitaka is breaking even on the currency exchange and sale.  

If you look at others like ZenMarket, exchange rate fee is closer to 12% (on top of their brokerage fee), which is less than fair - what everyone is taking from them, they almost double it to take from you.  

If you buy on Hedgehog's Japan/JY site, it's cheaper than buying on their English/US$ site, because their US$ prices are increased to add inflated exchange rate.  

If you buy in JY, somebody is going to get an exchange rate fee from you,  either your buying/shipping broker, paypal, or your credit card.  

 

My friend and 20-year Japan broker Masamichi (noppin.com) is closing shop at the end of the year.  The man was over-the-top - his exchange rate was fair, his brokerage fee was under 6%.  He covered my mistakes, found stock, got questions answered I never could, made extra effort to handle communication and transactions outside of business hours;  knew my schedule, and got packing done so I could pay shipping in time to make the day's courier - his English was close enough to perfect, and I always enjoyed our message swaps, including our farewell good wishes the other night.  

I will miss him.  

Don't be a biyatch.  

9 hours ago, F14A-B said:

Yes, I know, I understood your op..I get typically a 9-10 dollar charge from several Japanese vendors. I asked @bulldog1935 about it. (He has dealt with Japan for a couple decades and has helped me with some of the finer details) and it’s a charge to convert.. so you were right on with your assessment. 

Thanks! 

9 hours ago, bulldog1935 said:

Every exchange rate is loaded so the currency exchanger makes a percentage on their transaction.  They get charged when they turn $ to JY.  

Some are very fair, and I would consider Digitaka's 4% to be quite fair.  Paypal charges them (or you) that much to sell something.  Credit card transaction does the same thing (how do you think they make their money), so sounds like Digitaka is breaking even on the currency exchange and sale.  

If you look at others like ZenMarket, exchange rate fee is closer to 12% (on top of their brokerage fee), which is less than fair - what everyone is taking from them, they almost double it to take from you.  

If you buy on Hedgehog's Japan/JY site, it's cheaper than buying on their English/US$ site, because their US$ prices are increased to add inflated exchange rate.  

If you buy in JY, somebody is going to get an exchange rate fee from you,  either your buying/shipping broker, paypal, or your credit card.  

 

My friend and 20-year Japan broker Masamichi (noppin.com) is closing shop at the end of the year.  The man was over-the-top - his exchange rate was fair, his brokerage fee was under 6%.  He covered my mistakes, got questions answered I never could, made extra effort to handle communication and transactions outside of business hours;  knew my schedule, and got packing done so I could pay shipping in time to make the day's courier - his English was close enough to perfect, and I always enjoyed our message swaps, including our farewell good wishes the other night.  

I will miss him.  

Don't be a biyatch.  

I appreciate the insight. I figured it was something along those lines. I was just curious as to what exactly was going on behind the scenes. 

I kept screen shots of digitaka images to show the salesman in Japan.  I figured we would have a language barrier.  Turns out saying “Vanford” gets the job done.  The salesman told me I was going to get a better price than my screenshot images depicted.    I got the latest exchange rate when I checked my CC.    Digitaka is still the company I will use when I get home.   I’m okay with the paying the vig.