Navigating Bunjang Market 

In this blog we will introduce 번개장터 Bungaejanter, also known in the foreign community as Bunjang.  Bunjang is closely equivalent to Ebay. It is a flourishing online marketplace in Korea for reselling a wide range of secondhand items. It has gained tremendous popularity among K-pop followers who are on the constant lookout for rare treasures like autographed albums, photo cards, and a wide variety of K-pop merchandise.

At Bunjang, you'll find a vibrant community of buyers and sellers engaging in the exchange of not only K-pop memorabilia, but also K-drama merchandise, cosmetics, books and apparel. This marketplace gives a unique opportunity to find highly sought-after collectibles and at the same time, connect with fellow fans. With its extensive inventory and user base, Bunjang has become a go-to destination for enthusiasts of popular and exclusive Korean goods.

It's important to note that the website is only available in Korean, and the registration process requires a valid Korean phone number. Additionally, it's necessary to communicate with the seller before finalizing a sale, discussing the price, item condition, and shipping details. It's worth noting that the majority of sellers on Bunjang do not speak English.  

The general process is as follows. Simply email your proxy with the details (photo or URL link) of the item you're interested in. They contact the seller to see if it is available. If it is,  you send the proxy your payment for the item and domestic shipping. Once the item is delivered to your proxy buyer,  you can request shipping right away.  Or you can continue shopping from other Korean online sites, using your proxy buyer's address for delivery.  When you're done, the proxy consolidates all the items into one package and gives you an invoice for the shipping cost.

Most item prices are listed in Korean won, but sometimes you'll see '연락요망' as the price. This means 'make an offer'. You'll see certain posts with a red lightning bolt (번개페이) with them. This is a mobile payment service, allowing users to make secure and convenient transactions within Bunjang app. Using 번개페이 may incur an additional charge, but the added convenience and peace of mind it provides makes it well worth it.  Prices usually do not include domestic shipping fee, which is usually between 3,000~5,000 won (US$2.00~4.00).

When you click on a listing, you will find a photo of the item, a heart symbol indicating likes, an eye symbol indicating views, and a clock symbol indicating the listing's duration. If a listing time is over two months and the seller has no newer listings, it's advisable not to pursue as it is likely an inactive listing. Below the photo of the item, you'll see the description (상품정보).   Always read a translated version of the description as sometimes it is intended for prospective buyers rather than sellers. The seller may provide additional details such as the item's condition and what is included. Frequently you may find item prices in 0.0 format, which indicates that prices is in multiples of 10,000 won. For example, 4.0 would mean 40,000 won and 0.3 would mean 3,000 won.

On the right side of the page you will find the store or seller's information (상점정보).  It includes the seller's name, their other items for sale or sold and total number of followers they have. Additionally, you can access the reviews (상점후기) on the third tab. This is a helpful way to assess the reliability the trustworthiness of a seller.

How do I assess the market value and avoid being scammed?

Always be an informed buyer. Start by comparing prices to international sellers. If the prices are similar or even more expensive,  it may not be worthwhile to use Bunjang and a proxy service.

Next look at the seller's ratings and reviews. If they're a new user with few or no reviews, your proxy can assist by obtaining proof like timestamps, images of promo sticker etc., ensuring a more secure transaction. Conducting your own research can be beneficial as well. Utilizing Google search can serve a valuable reference point in your decision making process.

After completing those steps,  it's a good idea to compare the prices of listings with similar items, if available, to have an idea of the prevailing market rate. Even if a listing seems like a good deal at first, it's possible to find a lower price from a different seller.

Fortunately, the number of scammers in Korea are relatively low since their online activities are linked to their national identification.

Here are some important etiquette to remember when transacting in Bunjang. First, if you're interested in an item that has a fixed price, message the seller if you are sure you would buy the item it were available. While the item maybe affordable, keep in mind that you will also have to pay for international shipping fees later, which can be costly. Sellers dislike time-wasters who engage in lengthy conversations, with obtained proof like photos, but ultimately end up not buying the item.

Next, negotiations are acceptable but low-balling is not. Requesting a significantly lower price than the listed amount is considered disrespectful and maybe viewed as an insult.

Lastly, sellers respond quickly and expect buyers to do the same. The ability of your proxy to respond accordingly is directly connected to you. 

Why bother with all these technicalities? Can't my proxy handle all the intermediary tasks for me?

Some proxy buyers can handle everything for you, just send them a photo and then they do every single step for you. Others charge by the minute for custom requests. Most proxies ask for a direct URL link of the item you'd like to purchase and may not have time to check for authenticity and reliability. 

Essentially, it's a good idea to be a considerate and knowledgeable buyer as dealing with requests that lack sufficient information takes a longer process.

Ready to experience Bunjang? Don't miss out on the amazing deals and unique items available in this platform. Let us handle the entire process for you, from communication with sellers, to secure transactions and timely delivery. Sign Up or check How it Works here.