Chopa – Your Kimono Source is a leading online provider of authentic Japanese Kimono and yukata since 1994. We receive many inquiries and questions each day and thought it would be informative to share some of these on our Blog. If you want to learn more about Kimono, yukata, and Happi Coats, see our FAQ section on our website.
WHY SHOP WITH US?
There are many reasons to shop with Chopa because we are your Kimono Source. First is our reputation. Entering our 29th year in business, we are a leading online retailer of authentic Japanese Kimono and Yukata. Our customers provide us with many referrals and repeat business. That alone speaks for itself. Some love our large selection with over 100 styles, prints, and sizes available. Others appreciate our fast shipping, while some love Free Shipping anywhere in the USA on orders of $75.00 or more. Combining any of these services along with our home office being based in the USA, it’s easy to see why customers shop with us.
HOW DO I PLACE AN ORDER?
Shopping with us is easy, safe, and secure. Just visit our online kimono store anytime, anywhere. Our Kimono Shop never closes and you can browse, shop, and purchase kimono and yukata 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SHIP A KIMONO?
Most orders ship within one business day and many ship the same day. We pride ourselves on fast shipping and work diligently to expedite orders. We are located in the Northwest Panhandle of Florida and ship six days per week. We are a professional, full-time business that understands the need for a quick turnaround of your order. Some companies only ship a few days per week. Others are located in other countries like Japan, Taiwan, Korea, or China. From the feedback we receive from customers, many of these foreign-based companies lie about quick shipping and fail to deliver promptly.
Common complaints we hear from customers buying a kimono from an Asian-based company are lack of service, the long shipping times, and the inability to receive a response or reply from those businesses. This is something we deplore in any business and always respond to our customers quickly, timely, and responsibly. Another complaint we hear about buying from an overseas company is the difficulty of returning an item. Most customers say it is impossible.
DO I HAVE TO REGISTER OR SET UP AN ACCOUNT ON YOUR SITE?
No. We never force our customers to store information on our website. There is an option to establish an account and some customers choose to do so, but it is not mandatory. It is offered simply as a convenience for our customers. The majority of customers who opt-in for an account are frequent buyers of our fine robes. They often gift them to their business customers, shop for theater groups or hospitality companies. We have several customer groups that rent homes, condos, and beach retreats, and provide their vacation renters with complimentary kimonos, Yukata, and Happi Coats. The bottom line is that you can purchase robes as a guest or establish an online account. The choice is yours.
WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
Chopa accepts MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and PayPal. If you use PayPal, you can also use American Express. We use state-of-the-art technology including SSL, Secure Socket Layer platforms. All information is encrypted and payment information is never stored on our servers or computers. We also accept mail orders via checks or money orders. We do not accept cash and never advise customers to send credit card information through email or mail.
HOW MUCH IS SHIPPING?
Orders of $75.00 or more ship Free anywhere in the USA including Alaska and Hawaii. Orders less than $75.00 are charged a nominal fee of $6.95 for one robe. We also ship internationally and the cost is listed in the shopping cart at checkout. The amount varies depending on the country and weight of the package.
DO YOU CHARGE SALES TAX ON PURCHASES?
Yes, we collect sales tax on orders shipped within the state of Florida. We do not collect taxes in other states. While sales tax isn’t collected in other states, this doesn’t mean that you may not owe sales tax. Many municipalities require purchasers to self-report and pay their own. You can check with your state to determine if this is required.
WHY DON’T YOU CHARGE CUSTOMS, DUTIES, TAXES, and IMPORT FEES ON ORDERS LIKE OTHER COMPANIES DO?
This question is common and the reason is that we have taken care of all import fees for you if you reside in the USA. If you purchase a kimono or yukata from a business in Japan or another foreign country, you are subject to these costs. The package is an import and you are responsible for customs taxes, import duties, import fees, and other accessorial charges imposed by the government and the carrier for handling the cost of collecting. Chopa is a direct importer and we pay all of these costs when we receive an order from one of our partners in Japan. This is another reason, customers like to shop with us. You won’t receive a surprise bill with your order. Our reputation stands on its own and we take the guesswork out of online kimono shopping. Shop with confidence when you shop with us.