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Frequently
Asked Questions
Q:
Why should I get a Japanese
Domestic Market car stereo? Isn't it easier just to buy a local
market stereo?
Of
course it would be easier to just have a local installer put
in an off-the-shelf local market unit, but then, everyone
else could do that too! You want to be unique, to show that
you know what you want, and know how to get it! Besides, the
Japanese manufacturers like to keep their latest and best
technology in the home market exclusively. For every 5 model
iterations the Japanese market sees, we overseas see maybe
1, maybe 2 models. At any given moment, the Japanese market
is about 18 - 24 months ahead of overseas markets in terms
of technology. While buying a Japanese Domestic Market stereo
is not for everyone, it may be just what you're looking for
to set you apart!
Q:
Why do I need an FM Converter
to make my Japanese Domestic Market car stereo work?
Japan
likes to be unique. So, the Japanese government mandated that
Japanese FM operate from 76MHz to 90MHz. Which is, of course,
different from most of the rest of the world, which operates
from 88MHz to 108MHz. Because of this difference, a converter
is necessary to make the FM tuners of Japanese Domestic Market
car stereos work outside of Japan.
Q:
What is an FM Converter and how does it work?
The
FM Converter that we include with every purchase is an elegant
piece of machinery that attaches in-line with the antenna
input on the stereo. It requires only a very very simple splice
to the 12V+ line coming into the radio. With the included
instructions, this is a very simple task even for a first-time
installer.
You
get a choice of four different FM Converters at the time of
purchase. 18MHz, 16MHz, 14MHz, and 12MHz. The FM Converter
works be "stepping down" your country's FM frequencies
by a specific amount - which you choose when you pick your
FM Converter at purchase.
So,
say you choose the 16MHz Converter. Every FM frequency that
your car stereo receives will be "stepped-down"
by 16MHz. Let's say that you want to listen to 102.7 KIIS
FM in Los Angeles. On your stereo, with the 16MHz converter,
you would tune to 86.7MHz (102.7MHz - 16.0MHz = 86.7MHz).
Q:
Can I listen to the entire 20MHz FM range that exists in my
region?
No.
The reason for this is that Japanese FM only has a 14MHz "window"
of FM frequencies, whereas most of the rest of the world has
a 20MHz window. That's why we offer a choice of four FM Converters,
so that you can decide which stations in your area are most
important to you, and choose accordingly. Use the table below
to help you decide.
FM
Conversion Table
Japanese
Frequency Range: 76.0MHz to 90.0MHz
Converted Frequency Range w/ 12MHz converter: 88.0MHz to 102.0MHz
Converted Frequency Range w/ 14MHz converter: 90.0MHz to 104.0MHz
Converted Frequency Range w/ 16MHz converter: 92.0MHz to 106.0Mhz
Converted Frequency Range w/ 18MHz converter: 94.0Mhz to 108.0Mhz
Q:
What
about AM frequencies?
Japanese
AM frequencies have the same spread as US and worldwide AM
frequencies - 522kHz to 1629kHz. Unlike the US, Japanese AM
is set to 9kHz steps, not 10kHz. This is similar to the European
standard. Those of you who have German market stereos in your
BMW or Mercedes will quickly be familiar with this setup.
We don't sell a converter for this - because there is nothing
to convert - US and worldwide AM will work out of the box
with any of the stereos that we sell!
Q:
Will
the numerical LCD display on my stereo change to reflect the
converted frequency?
No.
The numerical LCD display on your stereo will remain displaying
the unconverted frequency. For example, say you were listening
to KROQ 106.7MHz in Los Angeles, on your Japanese Domestic
Market car stereo with an 18MHz converter. You would be listening
to 106.7MHz, however, your stereo would continue to display
88.7MHz. Some customers have found this to be a plus, since
it differentiates the stereo even further!
Q:
Will
you ship to me in "XYZ" country?
Yes!
It does not matter to us where you live. We will ship anywhere
around the world. Simple anti-fraud precautions dictate that
ALL orders which are paid for by PayPal must be shipped to
the PayPal confirmed shipping address on record. If you don't
have a PayPal confirmed shipping address - you can send us
a bank wire or international money order. If you use a bank
wire or international money order, we will ship wherever the
Postal Service will go!
Q:
How
do I open a dealer/wholesale account?
The
first step in obtaining a dealer price list and qualifying
for dealer pricing is to fax us your Resale Permit. You may
fax to 1-435-921-7880. For dealers outside of the USA, please
email us directly at administrator@melting-pot.com
to discuss.
Return
Policy & Warranty
Please
understand that due to the specialized nature of our business,
we cannot accept returns or issue refunds. All sales are
final, no exceptions.
You
will, however, be given a seven (7) calendar day period
commencing from the receipt of your shipment (as noted by the
delivery service used) to verify that there are no initial manufacturer's
defects with your purchase. Any manufacturer's defects found
within this time frame should be brought to our attention immediately.
We will repair or replace any goods found to have manufacturer's
defects within this period, at our expense. This does not cover
damage caused during installation, or damage caused by the customer.
Problems
with items after the above period should be handled directly
with the manufacturer.
Items
which are marked "Japanese Domestic Market" are intended
for use in Japan only. Use outside of Japan may void the manufacturer's
warranty. Please buy and use at your own risk.
Please
do your research and educate yourself about our products before
you decide to purchase - we have been in business for over 7
years and have thousands of satisfied customers. We deal in
unique products for unique individuals - please buy smartly
and responsibly!
NEW!
The PayPal Money Back Guarantee for Items under $1000.00 USD.
PayPal
just introduced a new Money Back Guarantee that can be purchased
when you checkout from our site using PayPal. PayPal has qualified
The Melting Pot as a long-term reliable merchant with no history
of customer complaints. Only a select few merchants are qualified
to take part in this exclusive program. Now you have a way to
ensure that you are satisfied with your purchase - and we can
still maintain the unique custom-order nature of our business!
This
is not a free guarantee, it is basically a purchased 30-day
return policy. We don't make any money from this - it is purely
a contract between you and PayPal - if you choose to purchase
it. Read more details about this policy here:
Link
to PayPal Money Back Guarantee - READ & UNDERSTAND BEFORE
PURCHASING THE GUARANTEE FROM PAYPAL
Some
key highlights:
1)
If the item is eligible for the program, you will automatically
get an option to purchase the Guarantee during checkout. It
should look something like this:
2)
The purchase price of the Money Back Guarantee is approximately
6-8% it seems. This all goes to PayPal, we don't get a cut.
3)
Under the terms of the program, if you want to return the
item within 30 days, you need to file a claim with PayPal
directly - provided you purchased the Money Back Guarantee.
We cannot help you file a claim.
4)
Only physical goods under $1000.00 USD will qualify. Look
at the PayPal link for complete details.
Payment
Options & Shipping
eCheck,
VISA, Mastercard, American Express & Discover Card Payments
through PayPal.com:
We
take eCheck, VISA, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover
Card payments through PayPal.com for all customers who can provide
a PayPal Confirmed Shipping Address. If you do NOT have
a Confirmed Shipping Address with PayPal, you MUST do
the following with 5 business days to get your order processed
via PayPal:
1)
Fax us a copy of a Picture ID with your shipping address printed
on it to 1-435-921-7880.
2) Fax us a copy of the credit card you used to pay for the
purchase, with your signature, to 1-435-921-7880.
Orders
which are not verified will be immediately and fully refunded,
then cancelled.
Money
Orders, Western Union Transfers, Personal Checks & Bank
Transfers:
For
customers who do not have a PayPal Confirmed Shipping Address,
we take Money Orders, Western Union Transfers, Personal Checks,
and Bank Transfers.
To
order with Money Orders or Personal Checks:
1)
Add the items you are interested in to the Shopping
Cart, as if you were going to use PayPal
2) Print out a copy of your shopping cart send
the print out to us by mail, or fax (1-435-921-7880) along
with your payment.
The
Melting Pot
Suite #208
10900 Los Alamitos Blvd.
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
To
order with Western Union or Bank Transfer:
1)
E-mail us first at administrator@melting-pot.com
and get an order number that you can include as a note with
your transfer.
Shipping:
All
car stereos ship directly from Japan via Express Mail Service.
Express Mail Service the fastest service that the Postal Service
offers, and includes a tracking number. You are responsible
for any and all Customs charges that your country might impose
on your purchase.
FM
Converters will ship separately from the stereo and will either
be sent via the Postal Service, with a tracking number, or
Federal Express, depending on the destination. As with the
stereo, you are responsible for any and all Customs charges
that your country might impose on your purchase.
About
Us
The
Melting Pot is California-based company dedicated to providing
customers around the world with affordable access to the latest
Japanese products.
The
Japanese consumer electronics market is without a doubt the
most vibrant in the world. Japanese companies typically introduce
a product first in Japan, then export it to the rest of the
world after a delay of 12 to 18 months, if ever. Most models
are never exported outside of Japan. As a result, consumers
outside of Japan have had no choice but to accept inferior consumer
electronics at higher prices - until now.
We
have decided to focus our retail operations on Japanese Domestic
Marketing Car Stereos and Accessories. This is a result in the
explosion in demand for these products, and our desire to serve
this market segment with the most up-to-date information and
products available.
At
The Melting Pot, we have made it our mission to bring you -
the knowledgable cutting-edge consumer - the newest products
from Japan, by request! Please do not hesitate to ask us for
a quote for an item you are interested in, even if it is not
on our website. We can obtain most any product in Japan.
Importing
the latest gadgetry from Japan has never been easier!
Contact
The
Melting Pot
Suite #208
10900 Los Alamitos Blvd.
Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Fax: 435-921-7880
E-mail: administrator@melting-pot.com
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