Meeting your suppliers?

[Eternal Squall]

After reading hgeek23's post Going to Japan, and getting over my initial jealousy of not being the one going, I wondered if anyone here has ever visited their deputy service? Met the faces behind our middle men, checked out the operations? Or is it a big 'no-no' and I have been blacklisted just for asking?

Any stories regarding meeting cel dealers(brick and mortar or online) in Japan?

[Rekka Alexiel]

Nope, but I've met one of the YJ dealers that I often buy from. Haven't really spoken much to him directly, but he's a nice guy. Runs Anime Shop Commit in Nakano Broadway. I think I may have said that in the other thread, too... :p

I almost had the chance to meet Midori when we were both in Nagoya a couple years ago. I believe I even talked with her a bit on the phone once, too. She's very cool. Haven't had the chance to talk with her recently, though.

Oh and this is just a cool experience, but I exchanged a couple E-mails back and forth with a guy I purchased some cels from YJ. It was interesting because the initial transaction happened maybe a year ago, and I made a comment on one of his newer auctions to ID the cel (it was listed as an unknown) and he replied to thank me and also to ask if I remembered buying a couple cels from him... We wrote back and forth a couple times, detailing in what things we're both looking for and such. It was fun. Haven't heard from him recently either though lol

[JWR]

Years back I did meet Heather & Laurel who run Rinkya at the first Pacific Media Expo held in Anaheim. I have also met Midori at AX.

[Gonzai]

Been vacationing in Japan with Midori in the past. We had a great time in Hokkaido together.
I have had dinner (Okonomiyaki) with Mutsuura-san from Anime Cel Box, and hung out in Kyoto
and Osaka with Nomi-san from Anime Cels World. Also met Heather from Rinkya last year at AX.
Finally, I have chatted a couple times with Tada-san from Kamiya-san/Anime Cellar.

Actually, they are all very nice people. I have some great pics of them all. Was just looking
at them the other night.

[star-phoenix]

I met the owner of Anime Chaos (sorry, I am totally blanking on his name) one time. But, the people I normally meet are the ones I purchased some of my Disney cels from. They love going out for coffee and socializing.